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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my child shopping?

32 replies

lawbreaking · 30/03/2020 21:08

Husband is working incredibly long shifts at the moment and by the time he finishes at 8 to watch the kids, the shops are completely empty.

I’m getting depressed that we have no proper food in the house now and feel I need to go early and get some stuff in but this would mean taking my child with me.

No fruit/veg left, no meat, no soap!

So my question is
a) am I allowed?

And WIBU to take him with me?

OP posts:
MTGGamer · 30/03/2020 21:10

You are allowed if there is no other feasible option than to have your kids with you.
However, are there local shops in your area that offer food delivery? We have various greengrocers and butchers who are operating a delivery service so you wouldn't have to leave. Your kids, dependant on their age, can help you with the online shop and maybe even get involved with cooking the meals.
Worst case, you can take your kids if you have no other option.

formerbabe · 30/03/2020 21:12

Husband is working incredibly long shifts at the moment and by the time he finishes at 8 to watch the kids, the shops are completely empty

Empty as in no food?

Chiyo666 · 30/03/2020 21:13

I took all 3 of mine today with no problem

SoloMummy · 30/03/2020 21:23

So your husband is working 7 days a week until 8om?

georgialondon · 30/03/2020 21:24

It's allowed

PumpkinP · 30/03/2020 21:24

I’m interested in this aswell as heard shops are banning children but don’t know how true that is

DuchessOfBeddington · 30/03/2020 21:26

Just try it OP. My local Tesco has a 1 shopper policy so all the husbands are being left outside with 2 meter gaps! But a single person can bring their kids in. I’m sure you are sensible enough to ensure your kids aren’t touching anything.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/03/2020 21:29

I'm a single parent so have been taking DS.

I think all supermarkets have their own individual policies. I've heard stories of shops not allowing children in but all the big supermarkets in my area are letting in children with one adult.

SpillTheTeaa · 30/03/2020 21:30

Of course it's allowed some people have no choice. Deliveries are thin on the ground and if he's working all the time. Does he have a day off?
If he doesn't then I don't think you have much choice.

Wolfiefan · 30/03/2020 21:31

Watch the kids?
You can’t drag multiple children around the shops with you.
Completely empty? I doubt that.
No proper food. Make do with what there is.

SoloMummy · 30/03/2020 21:34

Some stores are refusing entry to any children.

SingforAbsolution · 30/03/2020 21:39

So your husband is working 7 days a week until 8om?

If he works for the NHS, I'd say that's perfectly normal atm.

PapercraftNinja · 30/03/2020 21:43

I had to take DD, she’s a toddler though so wiped the trolley down and sat her in it and ignored her pleas to get out and walk.

It’s definitely not ideal but fine for a quick whizz

milkysmum · 30/03/2020 21:48

How old is your little one? Lots of lone parents are having to take their children shopping, despite what most in Mumsnet would have people believe- what other option do people think there is- no waiting 3/4 weeks for a delivery is not an option for most. No all the shops have not banned children. If DH is working till 8 each evening just go, not ideal but needs must.

peajotter · 30/03/2020 21:52

How old is the child? My dh tried to get some bread when out exercising and had to leave our 10yo on the street, which was fine imo. If young enough you could bring them in a buggy, ideally with a rain cover.

Another option is to go at 6am if you can fit it in before your dh leaves for work.

amy85 · 30/03/2020 21:56

It's allowed ....and I'm going to have to tomorrow as the kids have come back from their dads without their toothbrushes so it's either take my 4 year shopping or my kids don't brush their teeth for the next week and a half

m0therofdragons · 30/03/2020 21:58

You're technically allowed but I absolutely wouldn't. Dh and I are both key workers, full time working 7 days a week right now with 3 dc. Some work at home for dh but I have to go to the hospital. I will not be taking my dc due to the risk of them touching stuff and bringing it back to our home. I'd rather be exhausted than die.

Zoeyclash · 30/03/2020 22:05

@lawbreaking most communities have local volunteers who would do shopping for anyone in your position. Check out your local Facebook page or something similar. Please don't bring your children to a supermarket.

Cremebrule · 30/03/2020 22:07

I can see why they’ve done it and as you have a choice you shouldn’t really. A few weeks ago, I took my 3 year old with me for the last time. She was really good and didn’t touch anything, walked sensibly and was basically an angel child until we came to pay and she licked the bloody checkout. I was mortified. She hasn’t done anything like that before. Unfortunately children are unpredictable and germ magnets.

Zoeyclash · 30/03/2020 22:07

@Chiyo666 how can you say for sure that it was "no problem" to bring your three children to the supermarket. How do you know they didn't pick up corona virus while there, or worse, spread it to other more vulnerable people?

Chiyo666 · 30/03/2020 22:13

Because they wouldn’t have let me in otherwise. They were in the trolley and on my back so no different to me touching the trolley.

sunshineandskyscrapers · 30/03/2020 22:16

@Cremebrule
I stopped taking my 4-year-old son about three weeks ago due to him resting his mouth on the checkout while I was unloading the trolley. I think I just about stopped him before it got to licking. It's just the right height for their inquisitive little mouths.

Bedsheets4knickers · 30/03/2020 22:20

The shops are getting fuller by the day and people have stopped panic buying . In my area anyway . If you can avoid taking children then avoid it .

Daisiest · 30/03/2020 22:44

Nighttime is a good time to go. They've restocked after the morning and lunch rush and are preparing for the following day. Shelves are pretty full then.

Beepboop22 · 30/03/2020 22:47

Depends on where you are, where I am, no supermarket is letting us in with children (but we also don't have every supermarket under the sun, I imagine in places with bigger populations it's not an issue!) it's not necessarily that they're children, it's a one in one out policy, that includes children. 2 supermarkets near my parents' are doing the same, others are not. Where my DB and GPs are, they're restricting numbers of people going in but allowing people with children. I wouldn't take them unless you absolutely have to personally