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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Taking Infant School Child to Supermarket

33 replies

Biensur40 · 30/04/2020 07:56

I believe we can do this but wonder how reasonable you would think it is. We have to avoided taking DC for the last six weeks due to trying to abide by social distancing etc...but DH is key worker and we are running low on some things so I was thinking of going to supermarket today with one DC. She is well-behaved and would stay right by me if explained why it is necessary. Believe we are allowed to take children if no other option but should I wait? We have enough food not to starve so not really essential. Think I have answered my own question here but interested in experiences/opinions. Thanks.

OP posts:

Lazypuppy · 30/04/2020 08:16

You can take children anytime, not just if no other option.

You are overthinking this

BrutusMcDogface · 30/04/2020 08:18

I wouldn’t unless it was absolutely. 100% essential. It’s just so strange going to supermarkets these days and I think it’d freak my kids out.

WishUponAStar88 · 30/04/2020 08:18

You can take children at any time. I wouldn’t given that you have a DH though. I know he’s a keyworker but can you or he not go when he’s on a day off or him go to the shops on the way home from shift?

Jenala · 30/04/2020 08:23

I'm going today with two kids, 2 and 4. I'll wipe down the trolley handle and they will stay inside the trolley. It's not that different inside, they won't be scared I think you're overthinking it.

Simonfromharlow · 30/04/2020 08:23

I'm a single parent so have to take my kids every time. It's fine. I keep the younger one in the trolley and keep reminding the older one not to touch and to stay near me. I've not had any judgey looks or anything (not that they would bother me). They find it all very exciting and a change from sitting in the house or walking the same tired routes every day!

Siameasy · 30/04/2020 08:24

You’re allowed to take kids, I have had to take my DD to our local shop. DH works shifts. Don’t overthink it.

RitaConnors · 30/04/2020 08:25

You already know you don’t have to, you can just wait so I won’t tell you that.

And I agree with Brutus that going to the supermarket is now such a strange experience. Everyone is so tense. People are on edge and snapping at each other. There are so many rules it’s bad enough on your own. Queue here if you have a big trolley and over there if you Don’t. Stand on this dot but don’t unpack your shopping. Don’t go over the line. Don’t go the wrong way down the aisle.

Sirzy · 30/04/2020 08:26

I would fit going around when one of you can stay with her

Umnoway · 30/04/2020 08:27

I’m imagining single parents have very little choice with young children but you do have a DH so I’d personally wait until his day off.

Original poster

Biensur40 · 30/04/2020 08:45

Thanks all. I have mixed opinions on this as are echoed here but think I will go at the weekend by myself.

I know it's unavoidable for some but the atmosphere in my supermarket has been quite strange. I don't think my DC would be scared, just pleased to be out but some people's emotions are running so high right now (understandably), it's probably better to avoid any possible complications.

Re. The overthinking, yep, that's me!😄

OP posts:

MamaJoon · 30/04/2020 09:01

I've taken my 6 year old Dd shopping. She stays in the trolley and reads me the list. Absolutely no problem taking her.

I have a DH but I needed to do the shopping, when he does it it takes twice as long, numerous phone calls and still forgets stuff.

Jenala · 30/04/2020 09:19

@MamaJoon I don't think taking kids is a problem but why is your only option DH go, or you and your 6 yr old go? Why can't you go by yourself and 6yr old stay at home with DH?

MamaJoon · 30/04/2020 09:23

@Jenala I don't drive. The day we went shopping DH was going to pick up a prescription from a chemist so I took her with me.

majesticallyawkward · 30/04/2020 09:31

I wouldn't if there's another option. More so with the recent news of children exhibiting a Kawasaki disease like illness in the wake of CV-19.

@MamaJoon there is no need to take your child, your dh is a grown man and capable of either shopping or staying home with his child. You could have either picked up the prescription yourself or gone at different times. These excuses as to why everyone is special and exempt from guidance or common sense is tedious.

MamaJoon · 30/04/2020 09:32

DanielRicciardosSmile · 30/04/2020 09:37

Where do you all live that going to the supermarket is such a terrifying experience? Apart from queuing to get in at busy times, and the one-way system it's pretty much business as usual here. Certainly with regards to how it would affect a 6 year old child anyway.

slashlover · 30/04/2020 09:41

I don't drive. The day we went shopping DH was going to pick up a prescription from a chemist so I took her with me.

DH drives, he and DD stay in the car while you shop.

Original poster

Biensur40 · 30/04/2020 09:47

@DanielRicciardosSmile
Not terrifying here and I know what you mean. Eerily quiet and lots of 'dancing around' to maintain 2m distance

OP posts:

RedskyAtnight · 30/04/2020 09:51

I find going to the supermarket quite stressful and it's "different" to usual so I would avoid taking my child if there was any alternative.
So I'd say up to you to weigh up whether you can wait for her dad to be around or not.

DressingGownofDoom · 30/04/2020 09:55

I've taken toddler DS to the shops a couple of times and, far from judgey looks, he's had loads of smiles and nice comments. Maybe from people missing the small children in their own family, or just glad to see a happy little soul who isn't full of worry, I don't know. Most people are lovely and supportive out there and realise we can only do our best and that won't always be perfect, despite all the horrible comments online.

Newcatmum · 30/04/2020 09:56

I took my children to the supermarket for the first time the other day. I was really worried about being judged and getting looks but when I got in I saw a few couples shopping together with their children.

I've been lucky as for the first 5 weeks my ex moved in with me so I managed to go shopping without them. That didn't work out so he had to leave and I was a bit worried about how I would do my shopping. For my first big weekly shop after he left I got my stepdad to drive down behind me and park beside my car to keep an eye on my childnren as I was so worried I would be told to leave my children at the door or have people passing comment.

Had to do a top up shop during the week which was the first time I'd took them into a shop. I put the toddler in her buggy and kept my older child beside me and it was nowhere near as bad as I expected.

louise5754 · 30/04/2020 10:02

If you were to go as a family with your husband then obviously that wouldn't be allowed.

If you're going alone that I'd assume people would think you're a single mum.

If you have a husband though I would wait for him to go to the shop or for him to have DD.

louise5754 · 30/04/2020 10:05

People that have a husband yet still take their small child to the shop is madness.

AMR3 · 30/04/2020 10:09

Im a single parent and a frontline key worker with 2 younger end of primary age children who are genuinely good, very well behaved children, but I still manage to not take them to the supermarket. I do my food shop once a week only and this is when they go to their dad as we are carrying on normal arrangements. Either that or I do it after my shift before collecting them from his. I’m sure they would genuinely relish a trip to the supermarket to break up the boredom or for a change of scenery, but I’m not taking them anywhere they don’t have to be.

I completely understand the wanting to get out and do something. Cabin fever is horrendous. But I think you know you can do it without her. You have a DH who can either stay at home with her or do the shopping.

geojojo · 30/04/2020 10:19

My husband is a key worker and I have had to take my 2 and 4 year old everywhere. I don't have access to a car at the moment either so have to go to the shops quite frequently. To be honest I don't see many people with prams but have been allowed everywhere and don't really think anything of it.

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