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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Its not okay is it? sitting/ standing in the shopping part of the trolley?

435 replies

Feminine · 30/09/2013 11:46

I'm sure this has been done many times.

I'm thinking about it today though Grin

If your child is too big to want or can't fit in the seat part you don't then let them climb in the other part of the trolley?

Filthy dirty feet where I'll put my food.

Standing up (dangerous)

I'm not being unreasonable to suggest that its the seat, or walk right?

I saw this with several families yesterday...it got up my nose Wink

Oh and I know there are germs everywhere... this makes it worse

OP posts:
WahIzzit · 30/09/2013 18:08

Sorry not read all 8 pages so no idea if this has been said but tesco do a type of trolley where two small children can sit, but Asda and morrisons do not. So when shopping in the latter supermarkets, we put our 1 year old in the actual seat cue (petite) 3 year old having a huge tantrum but have no option but to sit her in the main bit. 1 year old is a heavy little thing and cannot carry him for long. Also a bolter now he has been walking for a while.

Shopping is a headache enough without having to put up with screaming kids/people giving judgey looks in our direction.

HopeClearwater · 30/09/2013 18:10

MeAndMySpoon hahahaha! She must have been nuts.

HopeClearwater · 30/09/2013 18:12

But WahIzzit what would you do if you really weren't allowed to sit children in trolleys? Reins?

Original poster
Feminine · 30/09/2013 18:13

My Mum often talks about how "she just had to get on with it" when I was small (70's) I'm starting to believe her Grin

It is a relatively modern thing I think? I wasn't allowed.

I didn't see it much in the 80's 90's either Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 30/09/2013 18:14

Good point hope I used them with my eldest. That really helped.

OP posts:
HopeClearwater · 30/09/2013 18:14

I judged a mother in Waitrose when I saw her baby daughter was wearing an amber teething necklace. Took me about a minute to come to a right old judgey conclusion. But that is a whole other thread Grin

WahIzzit · 30/09/2013 18:16

It would be difficult hope we have reins but dc2 is a nightmare and knocked over a display Blush

I do try and shop when dc1 is at nursery nowadays but its not always possible.

BlackeyedSusan · 30/09/2013 18:18

used to feel like you too, but then along came dd who is hypermobile and sometimes has joint pain and ds who has autism, and sometimes it is preferable to have him in the trolley instead of kicking random passers by. and before you say control him, there are only so many limbs one can control whilst steering a trolley and preventing injuries during meltdowns.

takeitonthegin · 30/09/2013 18:27

Feminine I dont think people in general are as accommodating to young children these days. Back in the day my mum would go to a seperate butchers, bakers, greengrocers throughout town. A tantrumming child in a town centre is far less embarrassing than a tantrumming child in a supermarket. I think its the sound of the defiant screams bouncing off the walls.

I dont think any parent would say they dont 'get on with it'. I always try to do the right thing. I think all parents take shortcuts sometimes, both DC were completely out of pushchairs before they were 2 years old, except for very long journeys. I dont judge people who use pushchairs after 2 years of age for short journeys, you do what you have to.

How old are your DC out of interest? Its hard, but I bet you've done something to make life easier even though others might frown?

AnaisHendricks · 30/09/2013 18:38

BlackeyedSusan that is a lot to cope with Flowers

As for the pushchair-lifting woman - who is that strong?!

SleepyFish · 30/09/2013 18:41

Standing is obviously not safe but don't see the problem with sitting in main bit other than it not leaving enough space for your shopping.
If germs are your worry OP then carry antibacterial wipes for the handle of the trolley, they're where your germs are. There are lots of bugs that can happily live on inanimate objects for quite some time.
If I don't have wipes I use my sleeves to hold the handle, likewise on public transport.
Am currently studying microbiology though so probably more paranoid than most. Grin

Wishihadabs · 30/09/2013 18:54

I have never done this, but then I have a DH, no dcs with SN and a 2.5 yr age gap. Walk a mile ?

redexpat · 30/09/2013 19:01

Yes actually I think it's fine Smile

redexpat · 30/09/2013 19:03

Although I can see why you would be annoyed if you were trying to teach your child not to do one thing, and your sister was there doing it with her kids.

I think it's a cultural difference.

2rebecca · 30/09/2013 19:06

I hate it. A shopping trolley is not a toy cart to put your kid in. Put reins on them if you can't control them in the shop and just put shopping in the trolley and leave big shops for when your partner is home.

Sokmonsta · 30/09/2013 19:06

Perhaps supermarkets should make more 'family friendly' trolleys. I've seen parents using those trolleys with the giant seat for older children before. They may or may not be disabled, I can't tell. But a few more of those and maybe people would be happier.

I do put ds(3) in the trolley if I have to - if he's having a meltdown and I need to get out of there. Unfortunately with the twins there isn't room to sit him in the trolley seat...

Obviously I actually prefer to shop with as few children as possible. But that's not always possible.

MrsHelsBels74 · 30/09/2013 19:07

In France two seated trollies don't exist (I never saw one anyway) so I DS1 goes in the main part if he's feeling particularly reluctant to walk (he's 3!). It's easier for everyone.

Tabby1963 · 30/09/2013 19:15

I've never done it with my two, but it isn't an issue with supermarkets as far as I am aware.

Last week I was collecting for charity, standing just inside the main doors in the corner and I saw a man with a child of about 3. They had a mini trolley (the shallow ones) and the child had his feet on the front bar and his hands clutching the top end of the trolley as the man wheeled it into the store. I had my heart in my mouth fearful that the child would let go and fall back onto the tiled floor smashing his skull. Just as I was about to alert a member of staff, the child jumped off. Phew.

neverputasockinatoaster · 30/09/2013 19:17

I have 2 DCs. DS is 8. He has an ASD. As far as he is concerned supermarkets are in fact hell on earth... (an opinion I happen to share!) They are noisy, smelly, filled with people.... a full on sensory nightmare!

For my sanity and his on the rare times I had to take him shopping I would allow him to ride in the food part - he would sit wih his hands ove rhis ears or read a magazine. He is now toooo hige to get in the trolley but he is now far more able to cope with a short supermarket trip.
DD may very well have an ASD, she too is utterly overwhelmed by the supermarket shopping experience! She often rides in the food bit and loves to be buried in food.......
So judge me... I have far greater things in my life to be worried about than being judged for having my children in the food bit of the trolley.

AnaisHendricks · 30/09/2013 19:21

I like Jessie's story about turning her back for a second and one of the twins munching a carrot Grin

The trouble with DS being in the trolley is that he likes to help pass things to DH to be scanned and we were once given a bollocking regarding a bottle of wine as this constitutes selling alcohol to minors, apparently.

LouBeee · 30/09/2013 19:26

I worked in a supermarket for 5 years and had to call an ambulance on 2 occasions when s child had stood up and toppled out of the trolley by jumping around etc. on one of the occasions the child was badly injured. It's dangerous, don't do it.

TheBigJessie · 30/09/2013 19:33

I would like to assure all MNers that I did, in fact, buy the carrot!

Also, the whole "little bit further" thing to whingy three year olds in the supermarket? Part of the reason why my children sit in the trolley in the supermarket is because they have more than a bit more to walk. There's the entire mile home to go! No car here.

Original poster
Feminine · 30/09/2013 19:47

takeit mine are 14, 10 and 4.

I confess I have used reins. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 30/09/2013 19:50

Btw, this 'judging' thing.

I don't judge as such, I don't like it -thats why I complained here.Grin

But, it is just my opinion. I don't think badly of any parent...I just don't agree. If that make sense?

OP posts:
NachoAddict · 30/09/2013 19:55

I will add this to my list of things I am being judged for.

ds age 1 goes in the seat and dd age 5 goes in the trolley. Yes she can walk and behave fine but atvthe end of a long day in school/childcare/rainbows/swimming etc she would dawdle and daydream, ds would be frantically clawing at my chest trying to expose me and I want to get round quickly.