Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No children allowed in supermarket

678 replies

flashbac · 25/03/2020 11:52

My sister went to Tesco with her toddler and was told no children allowed from next week. Understand this is wise for infection control but what if you're a single parent with tiny kids and can't do online shopping?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
plumpynoo · 26/03/2020 18:24

Then Tesco has just lost my business! And won't get it back after the restrictions are lifted either. My kids are 5 and 3 and I cannot leave them. I also have to shop for my house bound mother, who can't get a delivery. I can't even book a click and collect service so will have to go into a store. They are being very short-sighted, as this situation won't be forever, and they will cause an awful lot of bad feeling by making things so difficult for single parents and families of key workers who do shifts!

changemynamechangemynamewhen · 26/03/2020 18:28

I'm wondering if there are so many people who are single parents with NOBODY who can help them what will happen if god forbid you are hospitalised with COVID 19? I'm not thinking it's going to happen but you will have to have an emergency plan in place

BeetrootRocks · 26/03/2020 18:29

That's ok then sand

If we go down the path of banning all kids then provision will need to be made for those who can't leave children etc. And make sure it is accessible to all including those with MH issues, no internet access etc etc

I suppose the shops are private and can do what they like and may be looking to maximise the spend form the people who can shop without children.

The PP who claimed the government has passed a law saying no kids in shops is talking rubbish though and I hope no one was freaked out by that.

Cloverglens · 26/03/2020 18:30

Would click and collect help, some supermarkets releasing them daily Asda and Iceland have been.

Kbeeb1992 · 26/03/2020 18:31

Its not that there are SO MANY people who dont have help its that we PEOPLE are following government guidlines by not mixing with other households!

Zoejj77 · 26/03/2020 18:39

Wouldn’t it be lovely to not need to take your kids with you as someone else is there to watch them. Great on principal but reality not so much

BeetrootRocks · 26/03/2020 18:40

Thing is stuff like click and collect, how many supermarkets or other shops you can access, availability of delivery is highly dependent on area.

If all you have is Tesco local in your town, and no delivery, and they won't let you in because you're a single parent and can't leave your kids, then you really genuinely are fucked.

Luckily this seems to only be IOM even if lots of posters are saying great plan let's do it everywhere for all supermarkets.

rainbowbear10 · 26/03/2020 18:41

A bit rude and insensitive .. Not every father is in contact with their child/ren . and Not every single parent has a circle of family and friends to step in and watch teh child if she went out for shopping.

.. advice would be to maybe cotact the store or a local council community group to see if they can get shopping for you and explain Why.

Mikki77 · 26/03/2020 18:42

My friend went to Co op with her son. He's 7years old. She was told by the police who followed her into the supermarket that he couldnt be out with her. She explained that he's 7 and her husband work in hospital. She was told 'go back home or we'll take you home!" She completely understands the situation but what are you supposed to do?

Luneloise · 26/03/2020 18:42

I'm in France and it's only 1 person in a car. 1 person in the supermarket. Security guard on the door. Get a neighbour or family to drop the shopping at your gate. Call your click and collect and tell them your situation (here they've been instructed to allow certain people to pass in front ).

earnshaw47 · 26/03/2020 18:42

i am over 70 and living with a vulnerable partner, what do i do about shopping, cant get any deliveries, scared to go physically as i am afraid of passing it on to my husband , what do i do ??

Pjh1961 · 26/03/2020 18:42

Well done tesco.when parents can control there kids maybe society would be more tolerant.

Lynz78 · 26/03/2020 18:44

Was in Aldi Bristol too. I have brought it up at work as we are currently doing shopping etc for the elderly told my boss wd need to open to single parents too. If you look up the facebook groups in your area you may be able to find volunteers who can help you out.

unhappytraveller · 26/03/2020 18:51

The way your post is worded you seem to be hinting that really, there's no one who is really that 'lone' a parent who can't think of someone to mind the kids for an hour while they nip to the supermarket.

My parents are in a vulnerable group (they've both had the letter advising them to stay in for 12 weeks) I'm also shopping and cooking for them. There is no way I can take my kids there. Obviously they can't mix with other children. There aren't any other households I could leave them in. Luckily they are just about old enough that I can leave them for 15 minutes to get to a shop. But I have to be quick. I know it is hard for some people who are surrounded by family and have lots of people to help at the drop of a hat. But some of us just don't.

doghairismyglitter · 26/03/2020 18:52

Is this actually true??? As a single parent with a two year and three year old, no family, no online supermarket slots available.. what am I meant to do?! I’ve been going fortnightly to the local co op so minimising visits as much as possible.
Is this actual fact news that supermarkets are saying no children allowed?! As this has now bloody terrified me

doghairismyglitter · 26/03/2020 18:52

And I don’t drive so can’t do click and collect!

unhappytraveller · 26/03/2020 18:53

Sorry that was to changemynamechangemynamewhen AT 18.28.

unhappytraveller · 26/03/2020 18:55

Don't think that this is something some of us aren't terrified of happening: dying and worrying about who would bring them up.

Rosebel · 26/03/2020 18:55

Donna why did it take 4 of them to go shopping anyway?
There are groups being set up practically everywhere where people will go shopping for you. It sounds like supermarkets are trying to protect their workers. If people had been more sensible these measures wouldn't be needed. Like I said there are shopping groups so no you don't need to starve.

Auckland11 · 26/03/2020 18:57

I kinda had a feeling this would be in place, i am a single parent and i done an online shop today and the 1st slot i could get was Monday to make it worse i cant get to the shop even if i could take my DD cause iv hurt my leg.

unhappytraveller · 26/03/2020 18:58

These idiots going to the supermarket en famille remind me of the people who turn up at kids' parties as a family as well. I mean why do all of you have to go when one parent could be in the house looking after the child who hadn't been invited or doesn't need to be in the supermarket.

Abccba88Sarah · 26/03/2020 19:01

Hello, I saw your comment. I did not say this is law. I said I feel the government have made legislation detailing this because so many shops are taking this approach. Perhaps the retailers got together and decided this is the best approach?
Perhaps public health England said this is the best approach?
Who knows but I do feel a governing body has made this suggestion as why else would so many retailers follow suit?
Do enlighten me please.

Willow2017 · 26/03/2020 19:01

doghairismyglitter
Not everywhere. Only I.O.M.

BeetrootRocks · 26/03/2020 19:04

Abcc legislation is law. That is what it means. If government passed legislation that means making a law.

This story is from IOM so your statement that all children are to be banned from all shops due to legislation is scaremongering drivel.

BeetrootRocks · 26/03/2020 19:05

Or are you referring to legislation passed in the IOM?