To be angry about the attitude towards children in shops

[Nochangeplease]

Seeing so many posts about children in supermarkets and I’m honestly disgusted at some of the comments. It really does show some people’s inability to put themselves in the shoes of others.
Lots of “I absolutely wouldn't take mine in a supermarket”. Really? You can’t imagine a situation where you would? That’s weird to me. Yes I could try and find someone in the community to deliver some essentials but that’s not the same is it. Yes it’s hard times, and others are in worse positions and I fully understand that. But why should I have to rely on someone delivering me some items that are not what we would necessarily want when I can go in a car with my child and get our full shop, maintaining social distancing? It’s not ideal, I would rather not take him out at all, but why shouldn’t I be able to, just as other parents do who have the option of leaving their children with a partner are doing?
Maybe I’d think differently if I had a toddler who would definitely touch things and who I’d not want to put in a trolley. But I have a 7 year old who’d hold my hand, or stand close by, go near nobody and touch nothing.
I just don’t understand why people can’t imagine why someone might want to do this.

I'm a single parent with only my 76yr old mother who is in isolation. I have no friends at all (yes really - besides one who is in a Refuge in Milton Keynes. Which is very very far away from us!) and her Dad & his family aren't interested. I got screamed at the other day by some scruffy busybody who looked more of a health hazard herself(!)
My next trip to supermarket (can't exactly stock up when there's limits) had me nervous as hell before I walked in. I was actually shaking.

As for the friend in a Refuge in Milton Keynes - She has 5 kids. Suddenly become a single parent, hundreds of miles from ANYONE she knows. What in God's name she is going to do, I don't know. Right now the Refuge staff are providing some very kind donations but she's going to have to brave it sooner or later.... Poor woman. As if she hasn't been through enough.

I’m a lone parent, my DH died 3 years ago. My sister has been dropping things off for me for now but it’s not sustainable and as we buy and eat different things she has to call me a million times and even then comes back with the wrong things and costs me a fortune! I plan on taking them the next time we need stuff, I can’t just be here and not take them anymore.

I completely understand that for many people it's the only choice but if there was any way I could avoid taking my son I would. He is 3 and even if I put him in the trolley he would be touching every surface of the trolley (more than what I can reasonably wipe down prior to commencing my shop) and he will not stop touching his face. Plus he would extend the time taken to shop at an already stressful time. An older child who may have a bit more understanding would probably be more appropriate or a baby who could be safely wrapped in a baby carrier.

Ive done Asda and Lidl with no problems. Child in tow.

I wasn't suggesting that people should not go to supermakets at all, families need to have access to food of course. I was saying that if it was AT ALL POSSIBLE adults should shop alone without children. Of course there are situations where this is not possible, but just for the short term, while the country rallies together to battle this virus, we are being asked to make as much of an effort as we can to do whatever is in our power to stop the spread of illness. For some of us this means relying on the generosity of community volunteers to do our grocery shopping for us.

That above post was in reply to @Nochangeplease

A lot of shops are just banning kids over 13. I think there has been trouble with older kids by themselves in shops. Parents with younger kids should be fine

@tillytown because she was discussing with her colleague how people shouldn't be going shopping in couples/two people at a time and how they'd be stopping that from Monday. All while my shopping was going through the checkout. I don't believe it should be more than one person at a time but I do think exceptions should be made for people that have no alternative.

What is wrong is whole families on an outing - yesterday I saw many families - mum, dad with at least 2 kids doing the shopping. I don’t agree that no children should be allowed. My husband works abroad a lot and we’re expecting that he’ll still need to go so I’ll be left at home with a baby for a considerable period of time / I have nobody I can ask to get stuff for me so I’m going to have to take my child.