..to think a Body Shop stall at a baby group is exploitative?

[PurdeyBirdie]

I'm a new member at a baby and toddler group and on their fb page yesterday a mum posted to say she would be setting up her Body Shop stall for 'all the mummies to take advantage of the massive 30% sale which finishes Saturday. I can also tell you more about how easy it is to earn a bit of extra money yourself (on average about £250 a month), and all the benefit of hosting your own Body Shop party.'

I commented that I thought it was inappropriate to flog yet more stuff at new mums who assemble at baby groups to engage with their babies and make friends. I was told that the group is happy to support new businesses for mums and I should basically shut my gob (that was from one young mum). I asked if there was a line to be drawn: would hairdressers be able to set up a chair? A spray tan booth? Nail bar? The answer was: 'Barring health and safety issues I don't see why not. We are all about supporting new mums with any ventures to better the lives of themselves and their kids'.

Another mum popped on to say that her bread company took off massively after she began selling it to this group and she would be forever grateful, blah, blah..she went on to say 'After seven years on the baby circuit I find it can all get a bit 'yawn'. Bring on the Body Shop stall, I say!' I said there was a difference between selling home made wares (perhaps for charity or to raise funds for the group) and flogging beauty products from a massive organisation like Body Shop.

In response to this another mum came on to say: 'The body shop although a massive organisation has excellent ethics and stays true to those ethics and original beliefs. The company also does a lot for charity and environmental issues around the world, help one mum.... Help the world!'

Am I being an unsisterly turd? Do I have a point at all? I'm just uncomfortable with the notion that anyone can set up business at a baby group and target assembled women who simply want to make friends and play with their babies.

[UniS]

Are you in town or rural? As a rural mum I'd have been quite interested in a body shop seller once in a while at toddlers. Taking the boy into town on a one hour each way bus ride was always a bit of an effort .

[dalmatianmad]

I think it's perfectly acceptable!
When mine were little (many years ago)
There was always an Usborne book sale or someone selling home made cards.
You're not forced to buy anything!

I'd have kept quiet, especially being new!

But that's one way to alienate yourself I suppose

[Only1scoop]

You seem to know quite a bit about them for a new member....

Just turn up for the group....you don't have to browse the tat....

[Nomama]

Crikey - that was charming... gently-gently praised the group and then snarked cos they have mums who want to set up their own businesses and pass on discounts... sound imperious, judgemental and a bit forward from a brand new member.

I'd have thought that any mum using her contacts to start a new business would be applauded... and anyone who wanted the products would like to get the discount!

I would imagine there is little wrong with the group other than it doesn't seem to suit you! How would you expect all the happy members to change to accommodate you?

[PTAblues]

They did this a couple of times at our baby group which was primarily a cafe for breastfeeding mothers and most of us hated it. Partly because we had our tits hanging out for the 2 hours but also we felt awkward that noone was buying the stuff. It was like extra pressure on us when it was the time we came to have a chat and some advice and to get away from it all. Like the free baby yoga session where the yoga lady very aggressively tried to get us to sign up afterwards.

[wheresthelight]

sorry but I think yabu and actually you were very rude.

if you don't agree that is fine but as a new member to the group it isn't your place to have made any comment especially after other mums had already said they were quite happy with it.

[trixymalixy]

I don't really see the issue. It's not something that would bother me.

A bit annoying, maybe. Exploitative, no.

[PurdeyBirdie]

I know quite a bit about the group as I made an effort to chat to all the mums and we are all members of a closed fb group dedicated to it. Am I only supposed to have opinions when I've been going there a year?

[Notso]

I would have quite liked that at toddlers providing they weren't hard selling. At least someone might actually talk to me then

[SoupDragon]

The group I used to go to with DD did this occasionally. Phoenix Cards was one stall. If you look at it another way, if gives the mothers a chance to buy something they might need with having to haul their child(ren) to the shops. No one ever made any effort to force you to buy or even to look' the stall was just there in the corner.

I'm really not seeing how this is at all wrong and it's certainly not "exploitative"

[PurdeyBirdie]

PTA, you said it more eloquently than me, thank you.

As a paying member of the group I think I have the right to stick up for women there who I feel are being exploited.

[OllyBJolly]

Just say loudly that you used to love Body Shop but since the L'Oreal takeover you don't approve of the parent company's policy of animal testing.

Although, I don't see the harm -it can just be ignored. Guess it's their group, so their choice. If you want to change that. join the -clique- committee.

[Only1scoop]

Not at all....maybe form more established opinions though after the first week

Thanks for reminding me why I avoided these 'groups' like the plague....

[bigbluestars]

I wouldn't buy from the Body Shop, but particularly inappropriate at a baby group.

Body Shop is owned in part by Nestle- Nestlé is the target of a boycott because it contributes to the unnecessary death and suffering of infants around the world by aggressively marketing baby foods in breach of international marketing standards.

www.babymilkaction.org/nestlefree

[JaniceJoplin]

I went to a baby group recently and was approached by some sort of diet business offering weight loss sachets as they had booked a table there. Nearly punched her. Baby groups are bad enough IMO without being asked if you are happy with your weight!

[bigbluestars]

www.jemjabella.co.uk/user/files/uploads/nestle-boycott-twins.gif

The baby on the right ( twins) was formula fed

[SoupDragon]

I have the right to stick up for women there who I feel are being exploited.

Don't you think it a little patronising to say these women are being exploited? These are women at a toddler group, they aren't being forced to make clothing in a sweatshop for pennies.

[QuintlessShadows]

I would not have a problem with this, I would not have to buy anything I did not like, and her not being a member of the group makes it even easier to avoid spending money. So, no pressure, so dont see where the "exploitation" is!

It is hard enough to earn a living when you have small children, and not everybody can afford childcare, so does things like this that can fit around your life and kids more easily.

"I really have no concern about the fact I am a new member. I really thought the group setting was smashing and liked all the mums there."

Slamming their ideas and how the group is run is perhaps not the best idea if you want them to also like you, however "gently gently" you tried to impose your own ideas, and then boycot the group because you did not agree. Methinks you are hard work.

[m0therofdragons]

Yabu. Our toddler groups give out biscuits (I just say no) and sell raffle tickets (again I say no thank you). I wouldn't want to buy body shop at a group but I wouldn't have any issue if someone was there selling it. Just say no thanks. Sounds like you're annoying everyone with your negative fb comments so maybe find another group.

[Honeydragon]

It's not exploitative (unless they steal your baby t I'll you purchase a body butter), I imagine if you want to buy the odd thing there and then 30% is good. Or you can sniff and test everything, have your free drink then go home and get 50% buying online

[puthyjip43]

I think you are being a bit precious about it all. You don't need to buy anything so who really cares?

[PurdeyBirdie]

I think I feel it's exploitative because the target audience are women who have recently had babies and are possibly feeling rather unlovely-looking and are expected to 'support the sisterhood' somehow by buying Body Shop products. Or at least tolerate some eager beaver wittering from her stall. We are in a busy town centre; we are literally a minute away from shops selling all manner of stuff like this.

[WD41]

I boycott the Body Shop due to them being owned by Nestle. So for that reason alone I don't agree with them being at a baby group.

That aside, yanbu to find any kind of selling inappropriate in that setting. Good for you for raising it.

[ChickenMe]

I agree that the Body Shop is an inappropriate organisation. I'd be disappointed that a more ethical and local business wasn't being given the opportunity. As mentioned up thread I would point out the Nestlé links.
How far the Body Shop has fallen from the early nineties when every Christmas, Birthday present for your classmates was sourced there. I miss Ice blue shampoo.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I think you sound very silly.

These women are being, 'exploited' because they may choose to buy or not buy something from a stall? Right...