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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Coin operated rides at the supermarket.

117 replies

heartmoonshadow · 01/02/2012 00:45

AIBU to object to the rides that are ubiquitous at supermarkets. As a mum of a toddler and also 7 months pregnant I find going to the shop with him is not the most pleasant of occupations at the best of times. In the main I have my shopping delivered as it is more convenient for him to only get access to the shopping once in our home.

However there are occasions when I have to travel to a local town and pop into their stores whilst I am there. Recently my son has become more independent (terrible twos) and has repeatedly noticed and asked to go on these rides at any of our local stores, Tesco, Sainsburys, ASDA or Morrisons. It has got to the stage where I say no and he tantrums - understandable at his age - but this then makes for a very unpleasant experience for him, me and other shoppers.

Does anyone know of any petitions against these machines or have you had direct experience of complaining to the chains/stores direct as I find it incredibly hard to believe I am the only parent who has been incensed by these quite frankly money grabbing wasteful machines.

OP posts:
wigglesrock · 01/02/2012 11:33

I don't have an issue with them at all, there are 2 outside my Tescos and I just tell them No but my Mum used to take dd1 and dd2 shopping once a week and it was their Nana treat.

I'd rather spend £1 on a ride after the shopping than more plastic tat from inside the shop, mind you I also like the £1 Barbie/Winnie the Pooh etc machines that you get a toy/stickers etc from. Personally I think they're a godsend [shrug]

TakeYourScaffoldingWithYou · 01/02/2012 11:38

[Grin] at my long, passionate post.
I meant 'to belt' in a 2012 way not a 1970/80s living daylights way.

bonkersLFDT20 · 01/02/2012 11:39

I hate the rides. DS2 has never been on them at the supermarket, but boy can he moan and moan and moan about wanting to sit on them.

He can be happy as anything, see the ride, have a melt down and then whinge the whole way round the shop. Because he's two and determined.

I feel like shooting the person who put them there, as well as the one who thinks providing ONE stupid car-trolley is a good idea. EVERYTHING turns into a battle. But hey...he's nearly three. Hurrah.

God, I sound a bit demented don't I?!

stealthsquiggle · 01/02/2012 11:42

it has simply never occurred to my children that I would put money in those rides.

I have, occasionally, consented to a toddler sitting in/on them if they have been good, but have never put money in.

As dozens of others have said - you say no, you mean it, you walk on by with toddler firmly strapped into trolley and tolerate the screaming.

Original poster
heartmoonshadow · 01/02/2012 11:47

I just wonder why everyone on here believes I can't say no. It is because I say no that my son tantrums so I have no problem with saying it. I will continue to do so until he grows out of it but I have to say I still hate the blooming things!

In most things my little boy is quite well mannered and more appropriately behaved but he finds it difficult to understand that these noisy toys are not for him. I don't believe my disliking them makes me a bad mother just an harassed parent who would prefer to shop in peace.

I do put him in the trolley and he doesn't get to run around in the shops. I also buy him more tangible treats when we have good behaviour and prefer to get something that lasts more than 1 to 2 minutes.

It looks like the overwhelming opinion so far is that the rides are a good thing I will just choose not to agree and live with it.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 01/02/2012 11:48

All of you who whizz past saying "its broken" are such meanies!!!

Let your kids see the ride on the way in.. use it as bribery and tell them if they are good they can have a go on the way out, and then let them have a ride on it!

FreePeaceSweet · 01/02/2012 11:48

Do you know that those things even work when 7 adult Poundstretcher employees pile on to one, cling on for dear life and get someone else to put the coin in?

squeakytoy · 01/02/2012 11:49

I don't believe my disliking them makes me a bad mother just an harassed parent who would prefer to shop in peace

And that is why online shopping was created.... so that the rest of us can shop in peace and not have to hear your tantrumming child. Grin

anothermadamebutterfly · 01/02/2012 11:51

I would suggest: order your food online and go to the park with your toddler instead. Win-win situation.

DonkeyTeapot · 01/02/2012 11:57

As kids we were never allowed on them, so I had the attitude that there was no point asking, but I did always wonder why other kids were allowed on them and we weren't, even though we had been good. A tantrum would have simply earned me a thick ear.

We're not at that stage with DD yet, but I imagine that playing on the ride is a good incentive for behaving nicely in the shop.

Quenelle · 01/02/2012 11:57

DS loves sitting in these rides, until I approach with a coin and then he can't get out of the thing fast enough. I shall make the most of this until he plucks up courage to have a proper go and then I will suck it up, it's only 50p - and only if he's been good.

YABVNaive to accuse a supermarket of blatant commercialism.

stealthsquiggle · 01/02/2012 11:59

squeakytoy - I don't say "it's broken" - I say "no". Same as I do for vending machines for stupid plastic toys, overpriced magazines, and a million other things. If that makes me a meanie, so be it. Which does not mean that I think the rides are a "good thing", OP, it just means that there are many many other things that my DC ask for and don't get, and there would be no point demanding that shops don't sell/display/promote those - so why would there be any point objecting to the rides?

helpyourself · 01/02/2012 12:03

It's not about teaching your child about 'no' or rewarding an everyday event, it's about getting a pint of milk, some binbags and something for tea before your bladder explodes. Grin

But that's exactly what parenting is.

DonkeyTeapot · 01/02/2012 12:10

At least if they have a go on the ride, rather than buying a cheap toy, you don't have yet another piece of brightly coloured plastic tat to take home.

bibbitybobbityhat · 01/02/2012 12:10

I honestly and sincerely feel sorry for the children who were not allowed/are not allowed a little harmless and cheap treat like this Sad.

I am absolutely brilliant at saying no to my kids, they have boundaries and had very few tantrums even when much younger [yes I know smug smug smuggy emoticon] but I tried to have a lot of fun with them, even on supermarket trips when I was pregnant Hmm and they reward me by being just lovely. They don't ask for an extortionate amount of things, I haven't spoiled them by letting them have a ride on a supermarket ride on once a fortnight or so, fgs.

stealthsquiggle · 01/02/2012 12:15

"I honestly and sincerely feel sorry for the children who were not allowed/are not allowed a little harmless and cheap treat like this"

Well that's nice. You go ahead and feel sorry for my poor deprived DC, and I will continue to spend my money how I choose.

ddubsgirl · 01/02/2012 12:16

Bloody hell those rides have been around since i can remember and thats before these huge supermarkets our old 'key market' use to have one and that was 70/80's

SoupDragon · 01/02/2012 12:17

FGS, just learn to parent your child.

I sill remember the sheer delight of being allowed to ride on the Dumbo ride outside the toyshop. It was a treat because it didn't happen every time we waked past and if my mum said no I knew it meant no

TakeYourScaffoldingWithYou · 01/02/2012 12:18

Helpyourself the best day's with my little ones were when they 80% positive with lots of guided choice 'do you want an apple or an orange' stuff rather then lots of no's and bribes.

A modern supermarket has to much tempation for the brain of an average two year old. Poor DH struggles with sheer amount of choice in the bakery department and he's nearly 40.
When heavily pregnant with a robust toddler I just wanted to shop for groceries and not do the whole toy shop, fairground & sweet shop parenting conversations all in one location and time.

Honestly Waitrose, it's the only answer Grin

WorraLiberty · 01/02/2012 12:22

I still have fond memories of riding on Geoffrey the Giraffe outside Fine Fayre...he cost 2p to ride!

I know I was a short arse then (still am) but rides were actually a lot taller then than they are now.

No kid under the age of about 7 could climb on them without a leg up from someone else Grin

NorthernWreck · 01/02/2012 12:23

Loving the kiss for Poor Postman Pat!

I let ds sit on the one by the checkout while I am bagging up, but I never put money in it!
In the summer I sometimes take him to those little fairs in the park and he goes on rides, but no way am I feeding my cash into ride-ons evertime we go shopping.
He doesn't bother to ask anymore
He is well fed, played with,has nice toys and is clean, warm and loved, so no need to feel sorry for him!

notcitrus · 01/02/2012 12:46

I love them - they keep ds and dn entertained in the local cafe while waiting for food etc.
We did make the mistake of putting coins in ones on holiday (boys were 3) so now they ask if we have a 'gold coin'.

Sometimes I do. Usually I don't (lies through teeth!) but let them climb on the thing for a while after shopping or whatever. Though as I do most of my shopping online, going to the supermarket at all is sold as a 'treat', getting to do what telly characters do...

squeakytoy · 01/02/2012 12:51

Worra, I agree with you.

I dont remember being dragged round the supermarket when I was a small child, but I do remember going on the rides while I was out shopping with my mum.

Hardly breaking the bank to let your kid have a bit of fun for a few minutes once a week is it. Confused

Yes, as adults we know that plastic tat, and silly rides are a waste of money, but kids cant be expected to understand that. Spending 3 quid on a coffee is unnecessary too, but plenty of us do it as a treat after shopping..

stealthsquiggle · 01/02/2012 13:15

"Hardly breaking the bank to let your kid have a bit of fun for a few minutes once a week is it."

No, it isn't. That's why I pay for them to go riding. Or play tennis. Or go climbing. Or do ballet. Or go on holiday.

..but since neither of them has ever had money put in a supermarket ride they are clearly deprived.

aldiwhore · 01/02/2012 13:21

I've put 50p in if my 4 year old has been extremely good, the thought of it makes the whole experience a little LESS stressful. If I don't have change, which happens often, he can sit in it for a bit.

I don't see the harm.

He doesn't like being told no, but then, who does? I think because he knows that ocassionally he is allowed, the tantrums are less.

YABU, especially to say its blatant commercialism... in a shop no less!

If you want to shop 'in peace' do it online, or when you've not got your child with you... shopping is rarely peaceful, even without a small child.

YANBU to hate the things, horses for courses.