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

[Cornonthecob]

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

Star I thought exactly the same as you. I chose a childminder for DD because it was just like family life. It didn't bother me at all if the childminder went to the shop to pick a few things up sometimes, because that's what I'd have been doing too if I was at home.

So, in answer to the OP, the children's parents are probably fully aware of how their children spend their days with the childminder. It's only a problem if she has told them that she doesn't do stuff like this.

Think about the following questions OP

Why were you shocked in the first place?
What did you hope to achieve by posting on here?

Held*

Frankly I am in awe of this woman, childminder or not.

I've 3 kids under 2 and if we all make it out for a walk to the end of the road and back I feel like I've climbed Everest

It seems perfectly normal to me. I am struggling to see why you have an issue with this (lunchtime surely can vary from one CM to another?). Maybe the kids like going to the shops? Maybe she urgently needed something?

I don't see the issue?

Trips to shops etc are exactly why I chose a childminder over a nursery. DS loves a trip to Lidl

Genuinely shocked?
Have you led a very sheltered life, OP?

My friend was registered for 4 under 5's because she had 2 sets of twins. She could manage them easily and often had people report her to the care commission.

starkers none at present (SAHM.)

Who gives a fuck? Agree with plateofcrumbs, my son loves going to Asda with me/his grandparents/his amazing CM. Much rather he was about doing NORMAL daily activities than stuck inside all the time!

I think you need to "name and shame" the woman so we can award her a medal frankly would starve before taking 4 kids of any age to a supermarket voluntarily

Who gives a fuck? Agree with plateofcrumbs, my son loves going to Asda with me/his grandparents/his amazing CM. Much rather he was about doing NORMAL daily activities than stuck inside all the time!

Eh?? You were shocked she had four under three (did you interview them all and ask for their dates of birth?) - she could have applied for variation.

Or you were shocked because they were in Lidl? Supermarket shopping is a brilliant experience for children, actually - making lists, working out what's needed, finding the right things, reading labels, using money, learning how to behave in a shop, how to queue....I think it's brilliant that she took the children along. If I worked full time I'd want my little ones experiencing going to the shops rather than being in an artificial environment. Does that help your shock?

It's still lunchtime, just. Maybe they're having their lunch now.

The thing I especially liked about DS going to a childminder instead of nursery was the way he had to fit in with everyday family life.

For the time he was with his CM he was part of her family and that meant having to tag along when she did mundane everyday things like trips to the supermarket, going on the school run, doing the ironing, visiting aged relatives, attending hospital appointments. Just as he would have if he'd been at home with me.

Even better it also meant for those hours he had younger siblings and two older brothers, who still look out for him at school now, as well as additional honorary grandparents and extra family birthdays and celebrations.

It's a good thing.

What was the problem there?

I've actually been trying to persuade my nanny that she can take DS2 to the supermarket and do her shop in the day, rather than drag her son around at 6:30 after she's finished working with us, and he's been at school all day.

DS2 really enjoys going to the supermarket, and it's not like it's everyday, and there's plenty educationally to be doing - counting, naming things, helping pick stuff up - plus it's quieter during the day too.

I'd be too astounded at the fact she's got 4 small children going round a supermarket with her and she wasn't screaming and pulling her hair out to wonder whether she was a CM or be judging what's in her basket.

My cm had four two year olds and occasionally others when she was helping out in an emergency - and she's late 60s!

The woman is a machine

I can't see any issue.

No!!!!!!! I like exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!

!¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

But that's part of normal life. I'm sure they don't spend the day there.

Getting out and about; Posting a letter; Running errands, is all quite natural isn't it?

(Disclaimer: I'm not a Childminder and have never used childcare for DC under 30 months, but would consider a childminder if I ever needed childcare for a toddler for those reasons)

I judged people dragging their kids around shops and thought I'd do it differently, mine would be entertained with fabulous engaging activities not bored silly at the shops.

Well it turns out my two love noting better than a double trolly, choosing stuff and putting it in the basket, holding the receipt, waving at the cashier. Typical. Oh and I spent many many an hour pushing my clingy miserable baby around the shops in the buggy as he stopped screaming and sat there happily.

Don't judge too hard op.

Well yes of course but then if they also have to do it with me its twice over.

I don't go out shopping when I'm meant to be at work and a childminder is at work although of course some flexibility has to be accepted, I wouldn't be thrilled with supermarket shopping.

I think we were all sposed to be discusted and have sorely disappointed the Op by not joining in the pitch forking