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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked to see a childminder with 4 kids under 3

158 replies

Cornonthecob · 16/07/2015 13:08

In Lidl over lunchtime doing a big shop! Basket full and did not look like food for the kids, 3 toddlers around 2/3 and 1 child in a buggy! Definitely not her children!

Is this normal or acceptable? I would really like to know! My judgy pants up to my armpits right now!! Thanks

OP posts:
ArgyMargy · 16/07/2015 13:21

YABU, obviously.

Original poster
Cornonthecob · 16/07/2015 13:22

Lol!! Agree seriously none of my business! They are thankfully not my children!

I've seen her around school in the past so know she's a childminder! Children didn't look older than 3!

She was actually adding more to her (pull) basket from the frozen aisle as we were in the queue since you ask!!

Judging as i would expect my children to be having their lunch around that time, maybe doing other things and not helping with her shopping in Lidl!

Nothing to do with Lidl I was there, could have been waitrose for all I care!!

OP posts:
WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 16/07/2015 13:23

I'm confused
How do you know she was a childminder? My best friend has 3 under 4 and sometimes takes my toddler along with them shopping etc as until last week I was heavily pregnant with SPD and she was helping out.
What does it matter who the food was for? Why does it matter that it was a basket full?
How do you know how old they were? How do you know they weren't hers? How do you know they weren't friends/nephews/nieces?

herethereandeverywhere · 16/07/2015 13:24

My friend had 4 under 3 (her own!) So I guess a registered professional could manage it...

Original poster
Cornonthecob · 16/07/2015 13:26

Anyway good to know IAMVU!! Like I said not my children, mine are at school now!

I love how some of you love an argument.... Meow!! :)

OP posts:
AuntyMag10 · 16/07/2015 13:26

People like you need to get a life. How horrible to be 'shocked' and then running here to report on someone who is just going about doing normal stuff like the rest of us. Find something to do.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 16/07/2015 13:27

Oh get your beak out. My dd goes once a week to tesco with her cm and the other 2 mindees, they have a hoot sharing rides on the trolley and doing "normal" stuff. I love that, as well as the structured stuff, she does the same things she'd do if she was home with me.

Presumably their parents are happy with the set up so myob!

NerrSnerr · 16/07/2015 13:27

Ha ha. Love your miaow after posting something so judgemental.

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 16/07/2015 13:29

Still don't get why it matters that her basket was full?!

WireCat · 16/07/2015 13:30

I think you posted to be goady op.

SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 16/07/2015 13:30

"I love how some of you love an argument"

Says the OP of a goady thread in AIBU Hmm

Shelby2010 · 16/07/2015 13:30

I'd say she must be damn good at her job, as I can barely cope with 1 pre-schooler & 1 toddler in the supermarket. And even then I never remember half of what I went in for! Weren't the toddlers just running off in different directions while scattering shopping behind them? Or does this only happen to me?

TinklyLittleLaugh · 16/07/2015 13:30

Oh my kids used to absolutely love going to the supermarket, much more than any playgroup. Sitting in the trolley, choosing food, weighing stuff, comic if they were good. All good stuff.

LaurieMarlow · 16/07/2015 13:30

You started it Cornonthecob Hmm

The rest of us don't see the need to get all judgeypants on some woman, just trying to get on with her life/job.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 16/07/2015 13:32

And I wasn't a child minder but I had three under five and my sister's one ocaisionally.

RachelRagged · 16/07/2015 13:32

YABU

What concern is it of yours anyway ? Some folk ay.

RachelRagged · 16/07/2015 13:34

Meow ? Looking in mirror ?

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore · 16/07/2015 13:34

Is everyone required to have lunch when you expect them to? Confused

Get. A. Life.

PatriciaHolm · 16/07/2015 13:35

I would fully expect a childminder to do things like this with kids.

Childminders are a "home from home" environment, and going shopping is part of that. Especially food shopping.

glenthebattleostrich · 16/07/2015 13:37

The under 5s I have today all arrive at 7 so we have lunch around 11 otherwise they are just having snacks so we can sometimes be seen in the supermarket at 12!

glenthebattleostrich · 16/07/2015 13:39

Oh and Ofsted love that I take them to the shops, the post office and all sorts of places. The whole point of a childminder is a home from home experience.

P.S. it's nap time, I'm not neglecting the littlies to MN!

StarOnTheTree · 16/07/2015 13:39

I don't want to pay money for my DDs to be taken round supermarkets (sorry.)

I chose a childminder over a nursery because I wanted my DDs to do normal everyday things like they would have been doing with me if I'd been lucky enough to stay at home with them.

starkers1 · 16/07/2015 13:40

cornishvanillacream what childcare do you use out of interest?

Original poster
Cornonthecob · 16/07/2015 13:40

I posted as I was genuinely shocked to see this, now I know ITS NORMAL and acceptable I can carry on with my life!!

Popping into a shop to get something little I get but a full basket with 4 kids in tow I still don't get but if it's normal then I believe you, again none of my business wish I hadn't posted!!

I have a life to return to! Bye and thanks again for the clarifications! I get it now, I'm clearly not as clever or open minded as you all!

OP posts:
wankerchief · 16/07/2015 13:44

Aww going on random and everyday trips are fun for kids my ds loves a mootch round a supermarket.

They went wedding dress shopping with the childminder last month.
She took him and two girls who the shop assistants kept dressing in little suits and dresses and he'd mini mock weddings. I got some great photos in his home book