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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What am I realistically supposed to do?!

75 replies

Carpetforsale · 22/03/2020 10:32

I completely understand why shops now feel the need to limit customers and "strongly disencourage" children from entering but what the hell do I do?

I'm running low on nearly everything because I just don't have any spare £s to stock pile. I have 3 DCs and am a single parent so who's gonna watch them so I can get all my groceries? I didn't have any family support before CV and it's literally been me and DCs on our own for so long. I don't have any friends and the earliest I can get a home delivery is the 10th of April. How do I feed my kids???

OP posts:

QuestionableMouse · 22/03/2020 11:22

Some supermarkets do click and collect. Might be easier for you?

Leave them in the car if needs be. They'll be fine. 6-9 is old enough to understand that they have to wait. Its not ideal but these are trying times.

BlackCatSleeping · 22/03/2020 11:25

I wouldn’t personally leave my 6year old in the car. She’d get bored and come and look for me and end up wandering around the car park. Just take them in the supermarket with you and ask them not to touch stuff. Make sure you all wash your hands thoroughly when you get home. A supermarket shop is essential. It’s not like you’re going on a play date.

CheshireDing · 22/03/2020 11:27

In a big supermarket I wouldn’t leave them in the car , I don’t normally even leave them in the car when I go to our little corner co-op.

I did the other day though, I can get in and out a lot quicker without them in the shop and it’s safer for me, then, other customers, shop workers etc.

I was just speedy and got few essentials.

Grumpyrealist77 · 22/03/2020 11:28

Please don’t worry!!!!
Take the kids into the shop with you!!!!
Keep them close and remind them they must be on best behaviour so as not to antagonise anyone else. Make them stay by your side.
But please don’t worry... they are not banned just discouraged from going.
You have no other option.
Good luck!!
Ignore snide looks or remarks from others.

Ihatesocialmedia · 22/03/2020 11:32

Please dont dont leave your kids in the car whilst you shop! Take them, it isnt forbidden

Queenie24 · 22/03/2020 11:33

I would take them in you have no choice. No way would I be leaving them in the car and I am sure a month ago people on here would be horrified if somebody said they had left their 3 children that age in the car while they shopped.

PeterPanGoesWrong · 22/03/2020 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KoalasandRabbit · 22/03/2020 11:42

I would take them with you, think they are too young to be left in car or home alone. I'm rural too and there is no help here at all as far as I can make out so you just have to do the best you can. I am also flagging it with the council as we have a street of elderly and lots do need help. Past 24 hours we've had 3 requests to fetch things but I have a fever this morning.

KoalasandRabbit · 22/03/2020 11:44

We do have a few local independent shops doing deliveries though may well not help if you are on a budget. Supermarkets have no online slots here.

caz114 · 22/03/2020 11:52

Take them shopping, it's ok.

Please do not leave them in the car. Anything could happen.

at least if you are all in the store you'll be ok.

Has your store got click and collect?
Good luck

Bluetrews25 · 22/03/2020 11:58

I'd leave them in the car. Doors locked, in gear so if handbrake released it won't roll.
If you take them in they could infect lots of people. That is more likely then someone deciding to steal your car/DCs.
You could always ask a stranger in the car park to watch them from outside the locked vehicle, with your phone number.
I would do it if someone asked me.

Original poster

Carpetforsale · 22/03/2020 12:03

I didn't even think of click and collect so thanks to the posters who mentioned it.

The DCs dad may as well be a sperm donor he's that useless 🙄. Thanks all for your replies. Feeling a bit more positive about taking them now. I just hate confrontation so was worried about what people would say

OP posts:

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 22/03/2020 12:04

Can you do click and collect?

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 22/03/2020 12:05

XPost

PinglePongle · 22/03/2020 12:13

Take them in and get what you need to cover a few weeks whilst you still can

RoryGillmoresEvilTwin · 22/03/2020 12:14

I'm in a similar position op although I only have 1 primary age dc.

I don't drive so leaving dc in the car isn't an option, I haven't stockpiled because I can't afford to and dc is too young to leave for the length of time it would take me to walk there, shop and walk back.

I will have no choice next week but to take him with me. I'm really unhappy about this but there is literally no other option.

I'm honestly sick of seeing posts from shop workers saying leave your kids at home when you shop.
Believe me I'd love to not put him or anyone else at more risk but I have no one to leave him with anymore.

Bookoffacts · 22/03/2020 12:16

You have to leave them in the car. It's safer than taking them in.
Or seek irl community support. Churches and food banks and some community groups are delivering to vulnerable and that includes your kids via you.
Do not starve.
I wouldn't take them into supermarket. Have them wait outside if you don't drive. Or leave them in car. Kids 6+ don't actually need constant supervision it's a recent thing fueled by fear of SS/ being bad parent. My ex walked home from 5yo across fields alone in Wales. And from 6 took his 4yo brother!

RoryGillmoresEvilTwin · 22/03/2020 12:18

There is no way on earth I will leave my primary age dc outside the supermarket alone. No way.
Maybe in a nice quiet little town or village this would work but in a city with it's fair share of unsavory people about.
Umm no.

IndecentFeminist · 22/03/2020 12:20

I'd leave mine in the car at that age very happily. Depends on your kids I guess

Purpletigers · 22/03/2020 12:20

Leave them in the car

HarrietThePi · 22/03/2020 12:21

At their age I'd leave them in the car.

covidmutualaid.org/

Look here if your area has a local group. My one is full of people asking for and offering to help. Also nextdoor app.

Bbang · 22/03/2020 12:21

God please don’t leave them in the car!

All the click and collect slots near us are full, as is the food shopping slots. I don’t drive and have 3 kids so in a similar position.

If you have no one else then just take them, go with a list to get in and out quickly.

Though definitely check out any neighbourhood groups that have been set up, we’ve got a few round our end that are helping out people like you in a vulnerable position

Fivefourthree · 22/03/2020 12:36

Before you take them in OP, please check your local Facebook pages. There are people out there offering help for people like you.
I'm in 7 day isolation, but I will absolutely be helping people like you when I can.
Put up an SOS so people know about you.

Redcrayons · 22/03/2020 12:44

Just take them. Make sure they know they're not to go running off, and they must stay away from other people.

Nobody will say anything.

Are there any other smaller supermarkets on the way. I found Tesco empty on Friday, but Aldi was reasonably well stocked and even had some pasta.

Original poster

Carpetforsale · 22/03/2020 12:46

Just checked and there's no click and collect available until the 10th either

OP posts:

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