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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give my toddler a bit of bread?

514 replies

ChequeredPasta · 03/10/2017 20:19

I imagine this has already been done to death, and would get the answer if I could be arsed to scroll...
At Waitrose the other day. Put a french bread stick in the trolley, which my toddler (2) saw, and started reaching for it. Told her no, to wait, but she is an untameable beast became upset. So..... I tore off the end and gave it to her BEFORE paying Shock One of the staff saw, and gave me a stinker of a look.

Now, my Mum used to do this with us. But, my Mum's understanding of social convention is.... interesting.
WIBU?!

OP posts:
FrizzyNoodles · 03/10/2017 20:21

I think that's ok because it still scans.

Subtlecheese · 03/10/2017 20:21

No. Quiet toddler = more time in store by parent = more money likely to be spent. This was the approach we always took with people clearly shopping shopping (but not our known shoplifters). Of course this was many years ago now.

mogulfield · 03/10/2017 20:22

It's fine because it's not weight related, the barcode is the same if she eats it or not. I'm sure the Waitrose employees would rather that than a screaming child for 30 minutes. Well, I'd prefer that if I worked there.

Orangebird69 · 03/10/2017 20:23

I do it all the time with my ds. As long as it's not a weighed item I don't see the problem.

user1493413286 · 03/10/2017 20:24

Unless you then put it back on the shelf I don’t see the problem and would do it myself

welshgirlwannabe · 03/10/2017 20:25

Why would that be a problem? You're still paying for it. I crack open multi packs of organix crisps when I'm shopping with my toddler Shock am I commiting a parenting faux pas??

Ummmmgogo · 03/10/2017 20:25

it's fine it still scans. the look was maybe because you gave into a tantrum? or maybe the staff member was looking at someone else and you misinterpreted?

coolaschmoola · 03/10/2017 20:25

I wouldn't do it. Until it's paid for it's not yours.

Pengggwn · 03/10/2017 20:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

T00ManyB00ks · 03/10/2017 20:31

I think this is fine. Just reminded me that years ago my dp merrily tucked into a French stick while walking around the supermarket and when we got to the checkout he suddenly remembered he needed to get a paper from the kiosk. So he left me to deal with the sea of crusty breadcrumbs falling out of the packet onto the conveyor belt and covering all the shopping and leaving a trail for the next customer. Red face.

Sunshineface123 · 03/10/2017 20:31

I'd definitely do this much better than screaming toddler.

Goldfishshoals · 03/10/2017 20:32

Did breaking the french bread create a load of crumbs for the staff member to clean up? Otherwise you were fine.

it turns out you've left your purse at home etc.

If I'd left my purse at home I'd ask the staff to put my trolley aside, go get my purse and buy the shopping, Confused wouldn't most people?

Pengggwn · 03/10/2017 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheHungryDonkey · 03/10/2017 20:35

No it’s not on. It hasn’t been paid for. It’s grazing. I think it’s both lazy and dishonest and toddlers are never too young to learn the word no.

Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 03/10/2017 20:37

I think it's weird. You haven't paid for it. It's not yours Confused

Orangebird69 · 03/10/2017 20:38

donkey, my toddler knows what the word 'no' means. But isn't always that reasonable or compliant... Hmm

Only1scoop · 03/10/2017 20:38

I was never allowed to do this as a dc and have never allowed my dc to do this. In fact she has never and would never ask.

QuackDuckQuack · 03/10/2017 20:38

There’s a line. I don’t think you crossed it at all. The worst I’ve seen was a parent letting a toddler eat all of the chocolates from an advent calendar and then dumping the empty advent calendar without paying. I couldn’t decide whether I was most outraged by the toddler being up at 9.30 pm, eating it without paying or opening all of the windows on an advent calendar on one day Grin.

Orangebird69 · 03/10/2017 20:39

This type of thread always brings out the supermums and perfect kids. 🙄

RubyReins · 03/10/2017 20:42

Very common to see this done in France and our family do it with the DC in the supermarket when we go over to visit them. We have done it from time to time here too to keep them occupied. I wouldn't give it any thought at all.

user1471459936 · 03/10/2017 20:42

I do this. It's fine - keeps toddler happy.

TheHungryDonkey · 03/10/2017 20:42

Orangebird so find an alternative. Eating things you haven’t paid for is not a solution. I’m not a supermum and don’t have Perfect kids. But I think it’s piss poor morals to let children eat products in a supermarket that have not been pay for.

PotteringAlong · 03/10/2017 20:44

It's a no from me. It's not yours until it's paid for.

ReanimatedSGB · 03/10/2017 20:44

Oh FFS at the catsbumfaces on here. It's fine, OP. You're intending to pay for it, you haven't taken it out of the shop, it's still going to be the same price.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 03/10/2017 20:45

I think it’s fine as long as it isn’t an item you weigh