AIBU to think IKEA should be shut down

[Catmum26]

every single time we walk into that shop we argue so bad i think a divorce is on the cards. Then when we get home and have to build the crappy furniture with their sub standard instructions we have yet another row. currently sulking whilst my husband is swearing and crashing about. please tell me it’s not just us!

DH and I count the domestics as we go round Ikea and never hear less than 4 so you are definitely not alone!

*heard

Omg so sorry!
Ikea is a family day out for us and everyone always cheers about going. We have our obligatory meatballs and chips and love all the fancy new furniture.
Ikea is a dream we love it. But if it's not for you, you should 100% stop going!

I always go alone. I like building IKEA stuff.

Have you ever seen the 30 Rock episode featuring Ikea? That’s basically the entire premise.

Do you mind, having never been within a hundred miles of Ikea, I've moved within spitting distance, so no, you can't shut it down!
(PS. Single and no-one to row with)

Oh I love their Expedit range (I think it's Kallax now though) as it houses all the DC's shite in those lovely brightly coloured boxes so that I can pretend their bedrooms aren't cesspits.

Fucking hate Ikea the shop with a passion usually only reserved for low-fat ice cream though, and my DC turn into absolute tossers whenever we go; last time we went DH came along, too, and it was an absolute shitshow with the DC playing hide and seek in the wardrobes whilst DH was supposed to be watching them, resulting in announcements over tannoys and me going absolutely bezerk at the checkouts. Never again.

IKEA is a solo activity. It should not be attempted in mixed groups ever.

We have a tried and tested method for Ikea.

DP is dispensed to coffee shop complete with laptop and wifi access.

Me, DD and DS go round and choose all the things we want / need plus list all the bits from the pickup area.

We then join dp for lunch - he queues up with the DCs and collects while I have a few minutes to breathe.

After lunch we proceed to pick up area where we pick up everything on list, pay and try to stash it in car.

We then bring it all home and slowly assemble it usually over the course of a week!

We only nearly split up

alternatively go on line and pay £30 for them to deliver the lot

YABU. Ikea is a family day out for us. We all love it. And we love building flatpack.

You went on a bank holiday? That was your first mistake.

Did you go to IKEA on August BH Monday? Are you mad?
(I did it once, under duress.. Hell)

My survival strategy for Ikea, when I was in a relationship, was to go in with a clear list of any major furniture we needed, go our separate ways for one 'lap', meet in the cafe, then take turns presenting our ideas for each item. Since the shop is designed to expose you to more than you'd ordinarily look at, it's bound to stoke conflict when you're both forced to make snap decisions.

I realise it might not be the same for everyone but I've never had a problem with their instructions, being methodical does help (separate out and identify each component beforehand to avoid confusion) but the real lifesaver is buying an electric screwdriver. Having to turn a million screws by hand is an excellent way to build frustration.

Go on your own.

Hit post too soon... the first time we went all together we were in severe need of family counselling by the time we reached the kitchen section.

After that our routine above was developed

I’m with you. I bought a cot from there this week and thought I’d get it assembled and sorted before my husband got home so that I could be all smug and independent. Only problem is, I built it downstairs where there’s more space, and then couldn’t get it upstairs I had to completely disassemble the blasted thing- by the time he got home I was in a massive strop and I didn’t take his amusement very well at all....

It must be you all. My family is like the Vin Trapp's, we go around merrily singing and winning at parenting! NOT!

Von not Vin!

What they need is some sort of crèche for whoever out of the two of you hates Ikea, where they supply unlimited meatballs, hot dogs and fizzy apple juice.

I love Ikea, DH not so much. Has caused a few arguements along the way and I’d happily leave him there.

You don’t like their furniture and you don’t like the shop... so why are you going often enough that this is a problem?

I love Ikea

thanks everyone for the suggestions but it’s too late, IKEA is dead to me now. i would have gone by myself but i am pregnant and we went for a wardbrobe and i wouldnt be able to lift. i think the thing that started it off was hubby wanted breakfast but the queue was crazy long and he is too impatient to queue even for food 😂. We got there when it opened so it wasn’t too busy and was probably only there for about 15 minutes but those 15 minutes were enough to ruin our day and our marriage. we will never return.

Ikea was one of the few places XP enjoyed and didn't roll his eyes at.
My dc's like it too. I think it's the structure and organisation.
I'm vey organised when we go, kids have jobs holding the list or tracking down items.

Oh but you will.

Good tip for the future, always plan an at home activity for BH if possible, it gets more crazy and impossible with each subsequent child.

We've got three and BH are now spent baking cakes and letting them chalk on the patio rather than planning on how DH will end up under it.

My DD is great at assembling Ikea stuff. Wait 11 years then take your child instead of your DH.

We used to argue every single time. Now we take snacks with us! Something for before, something for during and something for after.

It’s easy to do 8,000 steps round our one without realising, that causes hangry bickering.

And never go when it’s busy.