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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:
hazeyjane · 03/10/2017 22:44

Gish I haven't seen a thread about this for ages.....have there been many posters proclaiming 'The Horror...The Horror...', or muttering about the degeneration of society as feral children and feckless parents eat the shelves of Waitrose bare.

squishysquirmy · 03/10/2017 22:44

I don't tend to lett dd eat when going round the shop but will sometimes promise dd a treat at the end if she behaves. I was at the supermarket today, and she asked for a kinder egg so I picked it up and said "yes if you are really good while we go round the shop you can have it". I was overheard by an older man, who told me off for "putting conditions on love" Confused
So you can't win, whatever you do someone will think you are a shit parent.

madein1995 · 03/10/2017 22:47

I work on a ttill and never judge this. Adults i might inwardly raise an eyebrow but they could be diabetic/similar. I only judge when its weighed itemms - loose sweets, grapes etc. Then its different

whattospenditon · 03/10/2017 22:47

It's absolutely fine. My DC used to fight over the nub of the baguette -still do--. I brought my DC up before the erase of honey delivery shopping. Sitting in a trolley is pretty fucking boring. If chewing on a bit of bread makes it more bearable so be it.

It's really no big deal. I'm astonished people think otherwise.

I shop at Asda. No one would bat an eyelid there whatever you were eating. Or wearing (now its getting towards winter am expecting the regular crowd of onesies, dressing gowns and fake uggs wearers to resurface).

Flopjustwantscoffee · 03/10/2017 22:48

Ohhh, I was once in a supermarket and my son was kicking up a massive fuss because I said he had to wait for crackers. He was throwing such a tantrum, one of the people working on the bakery section came scooting up with a free doughnut to give to him. He quietened down instantly and spent the rest of the shopping trip contentedly munching on the doughnut with a smug look.

millymae · 03/10/2017 22:49

Interesting debate ......
Personally I can see nothing wrong in breaking off a piece of French stick and giving it to a child to eat whilst they are in the trolley. I know two wrongs don't make a right but this is no more stealing than shoppers taking liberties with the free fruit provided for children in Tesco or moving eggs between boxes so they can get the biggest 6.
I'd rather offer my child a piece of French bread I was buying and be glared at by a miserable shop assistant or looked down upon by someone who would never dream of doing such a thing than run the risk of being accused of stealing the snack I'd brought with me.

delshwragon · 03/10/2017 22:49

DD (9) ate an entire sausage roll whilst walking round Morrisons yesterday. I put the packaging on the conveyor belt, the nice chap scanned it and popped it straight in the bin. It is not wrong unless you leave the store without paying for it!

Flopjustwantscoffee · 03/10/2017 22:49

Also lol at squirmy's "putting conditions on love". Because you can't love your child until they receive a Kinder Egg

lozzylizzy · 03/10/2017 22:49

Nothing to do with paying. Its just awful to eat food round the supermarket!!! Emergencies with little kids fair enough but habitual munching is really grim!

LanaDReye · 03/10/2017 22:53

Hazey yes the horror replies have happened. Poor op should be beamed up by food police for daring to feed her young child shortly before paying.

In a queue on way to cashdesk to pay for a hot meal I hope no one eats a chip from a plate...good flogging required for that one when did life get so tight?

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 03/10/2017 22:54

sitting in a trolley is really fucking boring. It’s no different to sitting in a buggy, surely? Do you load your child up with a moving feast every time you have to leave the house?

silkybear · 03/10/2017 22:57

yeah I am being judgy but I think its just a bit grim, sticky trolleys and no thought for cashiers having to handle your toddlers half eaten snacks. I don't understand why people can't wait for 20 mins or so.

Poppyfields21 · 03/10/2017 22:58

I used to work in Waitrose and we never minded people doing it. Parents would have us scan all sorts of empty packets like Ella's kitchen stuff. I also still eat the end of the baguette now even when shopping alone BlushBlushBlush

squishysquirmy · 03/10/2017 23:02

Meh.
If it keeps their them quiet and still in their seats, its far less grim than a screaming, snotty tantrum or a toddler trying to stand up in the seat or pull everything they can reach down from the nearest shelf (in which case the trolley has to be put in the middle of the aisle in everyone's way). I once saw a child grab a pack of eggs out of someone else's trolley and open them onto the floor. That's probably worse for the supermarket workers than having to scan an empty wrapper.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 03/10/2017 23:03

Last time I was in the supermarket I drained a bottle of lucozade while drowsing for paracetamol and crisps. Paid for it, of course. But now I feel like I should call 111 on myself.

squishysquirmy · 03/10/2017 23:03

^and trolleys which have had small kids in them are just as likely to be sticky even when they haven't been snacking. Snotty, dribbly little darlings.

Liiinoo · 03/10/2017 23:08

I've worked in supermarkets on and off for 40 years (never in Waitrose as I know my place). A half eaten baguette was normal then and now. Don't give this another thought.

LanaDReye · 03/10/2017 23:11

Lonny I've called them, they're on their way. Think it's a prison term!

Starlight2345 · 03/10/2017 23:16

It’s no different to sitting in a buggy, surely? Do you load your child up with a moving feast every time you have to leave the house?

Yep have done that too .. not everytime but yes..Feeding in pushchair also is not a crime either.

DiegoMadonna · 03/10/2017 23:17

Im usually not particularly judgy but I think this comes across as expecting the shop staff and everyone else to work around your kids instead of teaching them the word no

It doesn't affect the staff. They scan the item just like they would otherwise. That's why they don't care.

whattospenditon · 03/10/2017 23:18

My DC didn't sit in a buggy often - maonly because I couldn't get them to sit in one after 18 months. Besides being pushed around outside in a buggy in the fresh air, seeing cars, people, etc on the way to the park, see friends, childcare drop off etc, is a lot more interesting for small children than going round a supermarket. I find supermarket shopping pretty dull. For small children it must feel like the seventh circle of hell.

AngelicaSchuyler · 03/10/2017 23:21

I think the most ridiculous thing about this situation is that op started a thread because someone in a supermarket gave her A LOOK.

I wonder how some people on here cope with everyday life, seriously Hmm*

*obv notwithstanding genuine mental health problems / additional needs, etc.

SleightOfMind · 03/10/2017 23:22

I'm just shocked a member of staff gave you the stink eye in Waitrose

ShovingLeopard · 03/10/2017 23:28

In my Waitrose they're totally happy with this, in fact when I have asked if it's ok they look at me as if I'm crackers for even considering it might be an issue!

On several occasions they have refused to scan the offending article, and given it free, despite me protesting I want to pay for it. The staff in our branch are bloody lovely.

coolaschmoola · 03/10/2017 23:30

Here's something to ponder...

Using food as a remedy for boredom, or to stop a tantrum, or to keep a child occupied isn't really a healthy option and has the potential to result in children who eat for reasons other than actual hunger.

If they are going to be hungry feed them before you go. If they are bored, fractious, whiny, tantrummy or otherwise unimpressed at shopping find a non-financial distraction.

Food shouldn't be used as a pacifier - unless you want to risk your child becoming an emotional eater...