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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Babies and Toddlers in shopping malls past 8pm

176 replies

littlebillie · 05/03/2011 23:50

AIBU but I really, really hate to see toddlers in buggies and babies in prams from 8pm at these shopping malls.

I escaped this week for 2 hours to my local large shopping centre and was met, as usual with the bawling overtired thoroughly exasperated small children. I just want to stop each mother or group of mothers(!) and ask them to take their babies home so I can shop in peace and give their childrend a good night's sleep.

I just think is one of the examples of child abuse in our society. Anyone who thinks this is acceptable behaviour is just selfish.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 05/03/2011 23:51

So taking a child shopping is child abuse now? Grin

rinabean · 05/03/2011 23:52

Yes, I think those mothers should be hanged. This is truly an example of the abuse of children that inexplicably has been allowed to continue until this day. Barnados would be rolling in his grave.

I think this needs to be a mumsnet campaign.

Serenity788 · 05/03/2011 23:52

Yanbu... I wouldn't take my ds out constently past 7... But you never know why they are there... Could be an emergency

worraliberty · 05/03/2011 23:53

Take all the children away this instance..save them from a life of bargain hunting and Costa Coffee bars!!

AllDirections · 05/03/2011 23:54

You will find bawling overtired thoroughly exasperated small children in shopping centres at any time of the day!

Needanewname · 05/03/2011 23:54

I think saying that it child abuse is a bit strong - you don;t know the full circumstances, but no I don't like it, but not cos it disturbs my shopping, but I think of the poor litle mite who'll be knackered esp when school age on a school night.

GypsyMoth · 05/03/2011 23:55

why 8pm? and why not 7,30 or 8.15?? whats so magical/special about 8pm??

Original poster
littlebillie · 05/03/2011 23:56

9.30pm Child abuse if they are screaming with tireness. I walked past a couple of young mums coming out of New Look and the toddler was just screaming. Sad and selfish.

If you want take your kids shopping great, I think at anytime of day or night is fairly dismal for all parties. They don't want to be there and if you are shopping for yourself it is just stressful.

OP posts:
defineme · 05/03/2011 23:56

Some kids have different schedules/no schedules you know. Just cos they aren't asleep at 8pm doesn't mean they aren't getting 12 hrs sleep in. It's not like they have to get up for school.
However, I get pissed off with screaming kids which is why I leave mine at home with any convenient babysitter-shopping with kids is unreasonable behaviour full stop.

GypsyMoth · 05/03/2011 23:56

how about out of buggies and prams? is that acceptable to you??

rinabean · 05/03/2011 23:56

I think maybe at 7.30pm the mothers should be jailed for life. 7pm, perhaps they can be rehabilitated. But 8pm is certainly unforgiveable.

squeakytoy · 05/03/2011 23:56

New Look? oh well, thats it then. Call Social Service immediately.

Original poster
littlebillie · 05/03/2011 23:57

I think most children are in bed before 8pm.

OP posts:
PurveyorOfWoo · 05/03/2011 23:57

There are shopping centres open past 5.30pm - really?

I saw a T K Maxx open at 6.15pm once, I was [shocked]. It was empty

Original poster
littlebillie · 05/03/2011 23:57

Debenhams, Selfridges, Gap... they are in every shop.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 05/03/2011 23:59

Oh no surely not in Selfridges, that is beyond outrageous. Really. Was it ok in Laura Ashley though?

BertieBotts · 05/03/2011 23:59

What? Why, why the fuck would you even CARE? Confused

Maybe they are trying to get them to sleep?

Actually, are you my old health visitor?

Particles · 06/03/2011 00:00

Are you having a bad day? Shopping stresses me out, too.

Original poster
littlebillie · 06/03/2011 00:00

Just think we are becoming a selfish society.

OP posts:
GwendolineMaryLacey · 06/03/2011 00:02

Ha! You're just pissed off because they are impinging on your aesthetic moments, you don't give a hoot about the children.

rinabean · 06/03/2011 00:02

Yes. I think we need to go back to the old days when everything was totally child-centered.

rinabean · 06/03/2011 00:02

Is it obvious that I'm still taking the piss? Because I am. People used to ignore their children as an actual child-rearing strategy. Being annoyed to be out and not being played with isn't child abuse.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 06/03/2011 00:03

Well DS didn't have an 8pm bedtime until he was about 18 months old - so it is highly possible that he would have been out with us later than that. Not shopping though - who on earth goes shopping on a Saturday night??

Find it a bit weird that you are so bothered about it.

Needanewname · 06/03/2011 00:03

Again I think using the term child abuse is too strong.

I don;t like seeing young children out late at night any more than you, I don;t think its fair on the child (or their classmates and teachers if they're at school) but I think you'll get a lots f people disagreeing with you when you equate it to child abuse.

buttonmooncup · 06/03/2011 00:04

YABextremelyU. DD and DS go to bed any time between 7 and 8:30 but I have a friend whose kids don't go to bed til 9:30 or later but they sleep in until 9:30 or later in the morning. Both kids are preschoolers and she's a stay at home mum so it suits them all fine. I don't see how it's abuse to have a late bedtime for your kids?