Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel nothings left for average families

365 replies

Aubrystrawberry · 02/04/2020 10:00

I fully support the vunerable and elderly getting special times to shop and think it's great that some supermarkets have kept slots for them. But.... Is anyone else feeling like it's a catch 22 for families? Especially ones with kids.

I have managed to get one slot in April through Asda. It was pure luck! I have children aged 2 and 4. My partner's still working all week and he's worried about catching this virus like the rest of us. We are trying to stay home because I'm anemic and don't know how dangerous it would be as I've been quite poorly. It's not recognised as a huge problem but I've read that we don't have enough red blood cells. (I've made another post on this)

Anyway I've just been on Asda to try add a couple of things on and see how much is now out of stock. It says I'm not allowed to amend until 2 days before it's delivered now. Fair enough. But for god's sake.

I've been on Iceland this morning and they put up a bright red warning that if I'm not elderly or vunerable there are no slots.

Morrisons said they have no slots at all anywhere.

Sainsbury's the same.

Tesco's the same.

I went on Amazon to try do a pantry shop. Nothing on there.

Luckily I get milk delivered. But it's becoming a nightmare trying to work out how i will get food in a couple of weeks time.

What do they expect from people? We are slagged off if we dare take a child or two in shops. We are judged for even being in town with kids. Not everyone but quite a few are vocal about it on our local page on Facebook. People are taking pictures of people trying to get them in trouble for being irresponsible. I'm trying to be responsible and keep the kids indoors and us out of germy shops with mucky trolley handles. But I'm being told on all supermarket websites we should go to the store If we can.

I am not sure how many more weeks this is going on for, but like many others we don't want to risk getting this virus so we want to stay home.

I guess there's nothing we can do. But I think the elderly and vunerable have had a fantastic amount of help and support as they have special times to shop, slots online, volunteers shopping for them. It just feels like families are being treated like vultures for wanting to feed their kids.

Also I didn't panic shop and now I wish I did!

OP posts:
Baaaahhhhh · 02/04/2020 10:58

Just to say that elderly / vulnerable are not getting priority slots either. It's only if you are 'extremely vulnerable'. My parents and inlaws (both over 70/over 80)have not been able to get delivery slots with any retailer

PIL's, who we are a bit annoyed with actually, have been able to get weekly slots with Sainsburys, a weekly delivery from Wiltshire Farm Foods, and then complained they couldn't get an additional delivery from Waitrose. They also complained that they got a Government Food Box that they didn't want, and wouldn't use Angry.

So, the system is obviously working for some. My worry is that what's to stop people using multiple slots, like above. I am hoping they have been unable to get a Waitrose delivery, because they now have a shared list, and can only use one supplier......

Susanna85 · 02/04/2020 10:58

I have had bouts of very severe anemia. Feeling miles better now after 2 iron transfusions.

You are in a much better position than a lot of people to be honest. Your DH can shop on his was home from work. Alternatively, contact local independent grocery shops / butchers etc. Apparently many are delivering.

Gilead · 02/04/2020 10:58

I'm disabled. I'm on the extremely vulnerable list and I am having trouble getting delivery slots.

Notcoolmum · 02/04/2020 11:00

Yes. YABU.

You have a partner perfectly capable of going to the shops. Think of us who are vulnerable, but not vulnerable enough, who live on our own.

ClientQueen · 02/04/2020 11:00

I'm shielding and couldn't get a slot. The council have sent me a delivery from the food bank. I feel awful as I can pay but I can't get food. I do donate regularly but will be putting more effort in to do so when this is over

SpillTheTea · 02/04/2020 11:01

It's a shit situation for everyone, but the simple solution is your partner shops. Some elderly live alone, can't use online shopping and have no one to shop for them, so what are you moaning about? We're all in the same boat and there simply aren't enough drivers to deliver to everyone, so what do you expect them to do about it?

AgeLikeWine · 02/04/2020 11:03

I really don’t see the problem here, OP. Either you go shopping on your own while your DP looks after the kids at a time when he isn’t at work, or he goes shopping on his own while you stay at home with the kids. How difficult can that be?

MitziK · 02/04/2020 11:03

The vulnerable and elderly still can't get delivery slots, either - and there will be many who are unable to use internet services in the first place.

I usually see multiple supermarket and Amazon deliveries here (the house positioning and design means you can see every property easily and the road is one way, so everything that enters for here, three small housing estates, two side roads and a tower block all have to drive past my front windows to get out).

Throughout my entire working day, which starts early, I've seen 1-2 delivery vans, not a single supermarket van for a fortnight and at present, I'm watching a replacement fridge emerge from the back of a 7.5 tonne for the woman at number 5.

The deliveries aren't being made at night, either.

I know some of the people here are shielding. I'm certain more are vulnerable but not vulnerable enough to get any help.

The only reason I've had food and medication is because DP had to go and get it. Even when I was ill. Because there weren't any delivery slots.

In short, whilst you might believe everything has been sorted for people Not Like You, it really hasn't. Some measures have been taken, which is good - but not anywhere near as much as you have been led to believe.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/04/2020 11:04

You can amend before then I've just done it

HaddawayAndShite · 02/04/2020 11:04

You have a partner. They can shop childfree. They are out of the house anyway so you're not vulnerable to the point of shielding.
What about a single childfree person with asthma? I would rather a slot go to them than you tbh. Or to my parents who are elderly with issues and are still having to leave the house because they can't get a slot delivered or any help from charities (I live 4 hours away and an only child I can't help).

RuffleCrow · 02/04/2020 11:05

I'm with you, OP, it's a nightmare. The government has more than enough resources to ensure everyone is fed adequately during this time and could easily partner with supermarkets to make this happen. There's no shortage of food - it's a problem of distribution.

LettuceP · 02/04/2020 11:05

YABU, those who can get out to the shops should not be taking up delivery slots! And there is absolutely no need to take your kids to the shops or in to town fgs. One of you can go to the shops while your partner is not working. You are in a very lucky position compared to those who are self isolating or single parents who have no choice but to take their kids to the shop (and most likely be unfairly judged for it).

Helpnotsurewhattodovirus · 02/04/2020 11:05

My parents (79s and underlying health issues) can’t get a slot so I’m doing it for them. Your husband can go.

ForeverRedSkinhead · 02/04/2020 11:07

It's difficult for everyone right now.

A couple of tips though , try Morrison's food boxes , it's one per customer right now but it might help. Also , as a pp has said , do a Google search for local suppliers that deliver meat and veg boxes.

Morrison's had slots in my area at 2am this morning , keep looking and you might just find something.

Lonelykettleshed · 02/04/2020 11:07

I don't want to get into the debate of are you being unreasonable or not. I would suggest looking at alternatives to supermarkets though. Lots of catering suppliers are now delivering to households, as are farm shops, butchers etc. Small businesses are having to be creative to survive. Try local FB groups and see what is on offer.

Mumto1girl3boys · 02/04/2020 11:09

Totally agree with you, ive been saying the same recently. Im all for helping elderly/vulnerable but its getting abit much now. Dont take any notice of other people in regards to taking your kids shopping, ive been taking my 2 and 10 year old. We need to eat and the end of the day couldnt care less what anyone thinks of me

PurpleFlower1983 · 02/04/2020 11:10

I think anyone who is able should not be allowed to shop online and go out to the shops. They slots should be reserved for those who are being forced to stay home.

SexIsAProtectedCharacteristic · 02/04/2020 11:11

I don't understand why one of you can't go to a shop and the other stay with the kids. You're in a really good position compared to a lot of people and yet you think you ought to be getting your shopping delivered. Why? Those slots should be left for single parents and elderly people imo.

BirdandSparrow · 02/04/2020 11:12

Why can't your partner do the shopping? We don't have any online shopping where I am with slots for the non vulnerable (not the UK). DH is working from home now, but for a week or so was workind commuting in our only car. So, he did the shop, we meal planned first and we got what we needed until he could go again. It's not as easy as before but if you organise yourself then it's doable.

BirdandSparrow · 02/04/2020 11:12

with no slots

PurpleFlower1983 · 02/04/2020 11:13

I’m shopping for 3 households, I am a key worker and I have a toddler but I wouldn’t dream of taking an online slot from someone who really needs it.

bitchonthepitch · 02/04/2020 11:13

You have a supermarket delivery shop and you are a two adult household so one of you can go shopping whilst the other stays at home with the children. You've got it made so what on earth do you think you have reason to complain about? Biscuit

corythatwas · 02/04/2020 11:14

But Mumto1girl, why should the OP take her children to the shops when there is another healthy adult in the house who could go on their own? Why, in her particular circumstances, is the presence of her children required for the family to eat? It's not about what people think: it is about keeping the OP, a potentially vulnerable person, safe.

GatoradeMeBitch · 02/04/2020 11:18

Is there a reason your DH can't go to the supermarket if he's out working anyway?

The supermarkets in my area (can't speak for everywhere of course) are stocked again and not too busy. Safety measures like floor tape have been put in place.

It's better that your DH goes than you go with the DC's.

Auntieaunt · 02/04/2020 11:19

I live with my 90 year old Nan (she also has underlying health conditions).

We were relying on a family friend to do our shopping but now she can’t. We can’t get any delivery slots anywhere. I can’t go to the shops as if I get ill there’s no one to look after Nan. If Nan gets it she’ll likely die.

I’m planning on having plain rice with an onion and soya source for dinner to preserve the food we’ve got for Nan.
It’s shit for everyone but especially when I can’t get any food.

Swipe left for the next trending thread