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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People taking ridiculous risks with their dc in supermarket trolleys

211 replies

wherewasi · 21/04/2013 16:30

Just done the supermarket run, as always I find I have to avert my eyes and bite my tongue at the sight of so many tiny children standing up in the trolley while it's being pushed round the shop or hanging off the side.

I have seen so many accidents where the trolley gets shunted and the child falls over/off and hurts themselves - bangs their head, bites their tongue, scrapes themselves on the metal. Why do parents do this? Presumably they take the normal precautions in other areas - car seats, road safety awareness, advising dc to take care in the playground or running round the house?

Even saw a really tiny one today slumped in one of the shallow trolleys with his head lolling over the edge, just at the right level to bang it on a shelf.

AIBU or OTT to cringe about this?

OP posts:
prophylaxis · 21/04/2013 16:36

I have seen so many accidents where the trolley gets shunted and the child falls over/off and hurts themselves

Is that because they are caused by you? Wink I don't get why people always moan about this, I hardly ever see it and have never seen an accident because of it. Is it specific to certain areas where people do this?

Theironfistofarkus · 21/04/2013 16:41

I let mine stand in the trolley. No accident yet but i do watch them carefully. Who is doing the trolley shunting? Is trolley pushing a bit like dodgems down your way? Smile

SpottyTeacakes · 21/04/2013 16:42

When I was younger (3 or less) I was stood on the side of a trolley and it tipped and fell over Blush

Sparklingbrook · 21/04/2013 16:42

I was at the checkout once. Toddler stood up in a shallow trolley. Mum ignoring her whilst paying. She toppled over and I caught her. Shock The Mum didn't see, and I didn't say anything. Child sat down and off they went......

mybelovedmonster · 21/04/2013 16:43

DS always stands in the trolley when we go to Ikea - he's never hurt himself!

CocacolaMum · 21/04/2013 16:44

ive never seen an accident caused by a child trolleysurfing.. it looks like fun and if I thought I could get away with it I would do it!!

elfycat · 21/04/2013 16:45

My 2 seem to be able to do all of those injuries sitting in a child-friendly room, so meh? And?

And before we get the 'oh it's unhygenic, they might have trodden on dog poo and that's where I'll put my food' I'll remind people of the rats and pigeon poo from the warehouse where the food is stored.

And I don't let my DDs do this I much prefer them free-range to harrass the other shoppers

MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 21/04/2013 16:46

Your supermarket sounds like a bloodbath.

I'd rather they were in the trolley than running about the place, I've nearly knocked a few kids over when they have bolted in front of me.

I'm also starting to think I don't pay enough attention in supermarkets, there are so many threads about what other customers buy/say/do in them, I really never notice anything unless it directly involves me. I need to get down to Tesco with my judgy pants ready to be hoiked asap.

SkinnybitchWannabe · 21/04/2013 16:46

I work on a checkout and Ive lost count of the amount of people who put their babies and toddlers on the end of my belt and down at the packing area. I always ask parents to move them because its dangerous.
YANBU

livinginwonderland · 21/04/2013 16:47

eh, i used to stand in the trolley all the time, or ride on the end of it. it was great fun and stopped me kicking up a fuss about being dragged around a supermarket!

SilveryMoon · 21/04/2013 16:47

Mine stand in the trolley. I only let them in the big ones though, not the shallow ones.
Ds1 likes to stand on the side, but I don't really like that, so it doesn't happen often.
I think comparing standing in a trolley in a supermarket to using a car seat a bit OTT, but if that's how you feel, that's ok.

Yonihadtoask · 21/04/2013 16:59

I used to work in a supermarket and have seen trolleys tipped over by children standing on the runners on the sides.

Hate to see children standing inside the trolleys. It always looks unhygienic (I know, I know - trolleys are left outside, pigeon poop etc.)

So, when the little darlings fall out of the trolley or pull it over on to themselves- the parents will be bound to blame the supermarket ??

sweetkitty · 21/04/2013 17:01

YANBU last week someone was on FB saying her DS fell out a trolley and she had spent the day in A&E having him stitched back up. Hmm

There are lots of things we cannot prevent our DCs doing that can potentially hurt them but I think it's about minimising the risk, none of move have ever stood up in a trolley, they would much rather be running around creating havoc.

fluffiphlox · 21/04/2013 17:05

Didn't a child die in a trolley in a DIY place once? May have been about 15 years ago?

FrameyMcFrame · 21/04/2013 17:06

I'd hardly call it a ridiculous risk. Do you wrap your children in cotton wool all the time?

Sparklingbrook · 21/04/2013 17:08

If I hadn't caught the toddler she would have hit the floor head first. Sad

Original poster
wherewasi · 21/04/2013 17:10

I never thought about the hygiene aspect, but it doesnt really bother me as I usually use the flatter bed type and today was the first time i've seen a child in one of those.

I really don't understand why parents do it - why not just put them in the trolley seats as designed? Obviously it's not a 'bloodbath' but I have lost count of the number of minor bangs and scrapes i've seen with resulting bawling frightened child and sheepish parent. I don't believe my area is unusual in that.

I certainly didn't wrap my dc in cotton wool when they were little - in fact I encouraged them to explore and be physical but this is a 'ridiculous' risk because it's completely uneccessary and of no benefit to the child.

Thank god you were there sparklingbrook - could have had a lifetime of repercussions and for what?

OP posts:
MyHusbandRoy · 21/04/2013 17:13

I don't know about the DIY shop fluff but when I was a teen I used to watch Airport (or a similar programme).

I can always remember one of the staff members saying that a child had died from falling off a luggage trolley because they fell flat on their back and hit the back of their head Sad

slatternlymother · 21/04/2013 17:18

What I can't bear is people ignoring their children in supermarkets. I walked past a mum the other day, and she had her 2 little girls with her; about 18 months and 5.

Mum was chatting to a friend she had bumped into, and the 5 year old had stolen her little sister's dolly and was dancing up and down the aisle with it. The could see what was going on; but she just chose to ignore it. Her younger DD was getting really upset and crying 'mummy, please dolly back!' And was really, really distressed.

The mother was just talking over her sobbing little DD to her friend, who looked quite shocked herself.

I get everyone has bad days, but come on; the older DD only got a quick 'oh give X her dolly back', in a sigh-ey voice before turning back to her friend! Older DD just carried on! Sad

slatternlymother · 21/04/2013 17:19

And I agree WRT standing up in trolleys; it looks unruly. Most children of that age are capable of walking by the trolley, and perhaps helping to put things in. If you don't want to take them round the shops; Internet shop.

TheChaoGoesMu · 21/04/2013 17:22

I always let my dc stand up in the trolley.

specialsubject · 21/04/2013 17:23

the supermarkets tell you not let kids stand in trolleys. Presumably there is a reasonable risk.

no qualifications required for parenting.

Delayingtactic · 21/04/2013 17:24

My DS stands in the trolley. It's hardly a ridiculous risk and a bit much to compare it to using a car seat. Children can get injured doing all manner of innocuous things. I probably pay more attention to my DS safety when he's in the trolley than when he's out. Plus those trolley seats are very easy to climb out.

ShadowStorm · 21/04/2013 17:25

YANBU to think it's a silly and unnecessary risk to take. There was recently an incident near us where a child (about 5 or 6 yrs IIRC) fell head first out of a supermarket trolley and ended up in hospital with a fractured skull.

But I think it's a bit OTT to compare it to not using a car seat or not teaching kids about road safety.

TheChaoGoesMu · 21/04/2013 17:25

Well mine have never had an accident. Its not as if I'm not right there watching them is it. Hmm