To think charity shops aren't playgroups?

[user1477282676]

Well...not THAT exactly but tell me this...why do people think it's ok to allow their small pre-school children to pull out all of the toys on sale in charity shops and to then play with them in the aisle?

I can't stand to see this! The toys are on sale and these DC are there banging them and playing roughly with them...making a ton of noise, mess and getting in the way.

Is it normal to see this? Or just where I live? Their parents are always happily browsing around whilst the kids make a God awful mess.

Just because the toys are second hand does not mean they're a free for all...yet people treat them like the toys in the doctor's waiting room!

[Reow]

Sundial you're being a bit of a dick.

[CotswoldStrife]

I've seen this, the parents dump the child in the toy section and then go off and browse. If it's a small shop it can make it tricky to get to some of the items!

On the other hand, some children can be difficult to get out of the toy section, and it is tempting to let them play while you browse.

[SundialShadow]

@user1477282676

I understand. This is the most heart-rendering tragiest tragedy of the modern world.

Rather than politely ask a small child to move themselves and some toys aside, you would rather infer they are some world-ending pestilence put there to thwart your effort to access a SHELF.

Speilberg should be able to wring a trioligy out of this epic tale of one woman's quest to navigate a charity shop and the demon obstacles sent to challenge her on the way.

[SundialShadow]

Sundial you're being a bit of a dick

Awww, you fancy me. Well you might as well know I don't shag on a first date.

[Purplebluebird]

Never seen this either.

[mediocremumatherbest]

Do you work in a charity shop by chance? As I can't say I've ever seen this... as a mother of 2 pre-school children when we do go in the charity shop it's with potential to buy something, not to use the shop as some sort of playgroup! I always tell my children not to touch in shops anyway. You remind me of Norris off Corrie, telling people the kabin isn't a library.

[blackbunny]

The shop I volunteer in has the toys on shelves above small child height.

Problem avoided.

[nannybeach]

I find it even more annoying when people let their kids open,unwrap, and play with toys in shops where the toys are brand new. The other day, 2 boys around 10-12 had taken footballs out of a stand were kicking them all round the shop while the parents shopped, then they just dumped them somewhere else in the store. I watched a boy puncutre yogurt pots with his finger, told his Father who was with him, he wasnt a bit bothere.

[user1477282676]

Sundial you really like the look of your own writing don't you?

Well it's not that good...so stop posturing.

[Floggingmolly]

Staff giving mixed messages?? If you really take people's silence as the green light for letting your kids run riot, you need some lessons in behaviour yourself.
Most people know what is acceptable without having to be told; especially by some elderly lady who's volunteering her time for nothing. They shouldn't have to double as bouncers for the socially challenged.

[thunderbuddy]

Ours has a little children's corner and children are encouraged to play.

[TeaCake5]

YANBU OP - kids (and their parents for allowing) doing this in a toy shop would be given a bollocking - why is charity shop any different?

[SundialShadow]

^Sundial you really like the look of your own writing don't you?

Well it's not that good...so stop posturing^

Ah shucks. Does that mean that the woman who is too scared to say 'excuse me' to the most manical miniature horrors on this earth won't be signing a mega movie deal then?

[bigearsthethird]

I've never seen children being rough or unruly in charity shops near me. I have seen children play with some of the toys though, but always put them back afterwards. The ones near me have the toys in a corner at back of the shops and the toddler and baby toys are all low to the ground. What small child wouldn't be tempted to just have a play with them, especially the ones that make music and noise.

The shop assistants dont seem the least bit bothered, it isnt doing anyone any harm. If the child is in your way, just say excuse me and they will probably move.

if they are chucking toys around, then really its up to the shop assistant to say something if their parents clearly are not! im sure if it was a huge problem they would move the toys or put them higher up so the children can't play with them.

[TinfoilHattie]

I help in a charity shop. I'm not "staff", I'm a volunteer, as is everyone else. We have the kids books, clothes and toys in a corner and yes quite often an adult will let a pre-schooler play with something as they are browsing. As the stuff is in a corner they're not causing an obstruction, and 9 times out of 10 the child is told to put it back when they are finished. Doesn't really bother me, to be honest.

[supermoon100]

Surely allowing children to play with said toys will encourage parent to browse and purchase stuff thereby raising money for charity. Win win. Another child bashing thread!

[Ohmuther]

I always let DD do this in charity shops. I could never take her into other shops because she'd be bored and then have a tantrum /meltdown/run off and start playing with the merchandise. In charity shops she'd sit quietly playing with the second hand toys & books while I found clothes, books etc. Never had a problem or gave it a second thought, was the only chance I got to go into shops or buy clothes, so needs must.
Sorry if it offends you OP.
I'm obviously a shit parent.
BTW DD diagnosed autistic last December (probably my fault for being a shit parent)
Do enjoy your day!

[elfycat]

Sundial crack on love, you're adding the only joy to this woeful tale.

I like stories with a little humour injected with a delicate hand.

OK eldritch creatures of darkness, continue your sagas of despair.

[user1476968120]

This happens all the time in the charity shops where I live. Its not much of a problem when its a fairly large shop, but if its a small one its so annoying. Afew weeks ago there was a small kid who was just running around screaming, knocking things off the shelves and the mum wouldn't say anything, Even when he pushed me over into a jewellery shelf and kept running, His mum didn't even say sorry. My mum on the other hand kicked off. I'm five and a half months pregnant and she didn't think being pushed over into a shelf was acceptable. In the end, She just walked out and left her son in the shop to realise she had left and follow.

Saw them later on at the bus stop, He had wet himself and was soaking, Running around, Slapping drunks/strangers on the bottom, Pulling old ladies shopping bags and causing trouble and his mum was just having a smoke and playing on her phone completely ignoring him. When their bus arrived they pushed to the front of the Que and got on. Terrible!

[GahBuggerit]

My kids do this and the charity shop staff encourage them as it means I usually end up leaving with £5 worth of tat, more often than not at least one of the items is something I had donated some months back

[Natsku]

kids (and their parents for allowing) doing this in a toy shop would be given a bollocking

Unless you go to Hamley's where they have lots of toys out for people to play with and its encouraged. Love going to Hamley's, even better with the free childcare so I can look for presents without DD asking for everything she sees

[SundialShadow]

@user1477282676

The mounting woe that seems to be haunting your life seems to be growing by epic proportions. It's almost unbelievable how dreadful things have gotten for you in the last few posts.

A trouser sodden shrimp was running about slapping drunks arses, you say? This seems to be a huge esculation in previously reported bad behaviour.

Surely you should appeal to Trump to build a wall around all small children.

[WorraLiberty]

Staff giving mixed messages?? If you really take people's silence as the green light for letting your kids run riot, you need some lessons in behaviour yourself.

Rude FloggingMolly

And if you'd actually read what I've been continually posting - That the children are the responsibility of their parents, you'd realise it was unnecessary too...

[Bluntness100]

Running around, Slapping drunks/strangers on the bottom,

[TisMeTheLadFromTheBar]

Ahhh Mid term is here
It must be awful to hate children so much User. After all, they shouldn't be seen or heard, they should just exist to serve the adults