Poundland made my 9 year old wait outside the shop..aibu to think it's out of order?

[pointlesss]

Popped into Poundland after school with my daughter.
They have 1 till on and the other side is self service.
Got to the checkout and the lady stops us and says "are you both together? "
I said yes
Then she reply's "I'm sorry but only 1 person allowed at checkout due to social distancing.
There was a queue of a few behind but nobody to our side of us.
So she said unless one of us went outside the store she was unable to serve me.
My daughter waited just outside the front door.
Aibu to think that's ridiculous?
Bare in mind no social distancing in any of the aisles,people walking all over the shop.
Yet my daughter couldn't stand next to me whilst I paid and packed my bag.

Oh that’s not good at all. How far are we taking this shopping alone nonsense.

If your DD was 5 would she have been made to wait outside.

Did they, aye.

Self-service tills are congested areas. If 2 people stood at each one it would be a huddled mess. You could have let your 10 year old pay and pack and you stepped outside. Let's not molly coddle the kids!

I’d understand if it was an adult to to be told to leave your child on their own is unreasonable!

"I would have either laughed or told her to stick the shopping up her arse. How ridiculous is it going to get!"

Would you yeah 🙄

Only read half the thread but why were the options either stand next to mum at checkout or stand outside in the freezing cold, out of sight etc etc?

Surely she just needs to wait at the end of the checkout? That way she's indoors, in sight, and the shop assistant can do their job with the rules they've been given.

12? In England they start secondary school at 11

Is that the only bit you are quibbling about? Anyway, the OP's DD is 9.

Child safeguarding does not come second to covid. A child under 12 should never be forcibly separated out of the easy view of a parent/guardian.

It’s an awful message to send to them. Their presence is inconvenient and ‘against the rules’

😂😂😂😂

Poor little diddums

@cologne4711

12? In England they start secondary school at 11

Is that the only bit you are quibbling about? Anyway, the OP's DD is 9.

The age, yes, seeing as many children are walking or catching public transport to school alone at 11 and home alone after school until their parents finish work. My child and friends were walking or riding to the shops alone at 9 or 10.

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

I would have either laughed or told her to stick the shopping up her arse. How ridiculous is it going to get!

Classy

@pointlesss

Popped into Poundland after school with my daughter. They have 1 till on and the other side is self service. Got to the checkout and the lady stops us and says "are you both together? " I said yes Then she reply's "I'm sorry but only 1 person allowed at checkout due to social distancing. There was a queue of a few behind but nobody to our side of us. So she said unless one of us went outside the store she was unable to serve me. My daughter waited just outside the front door. Aibu to think that's ridiculous? Bare in mind no social distancing in any of the aisles,people walking all over the shop. Yet my daughter couldn't stand next to me whilst I paid and packed my bag.

Poundland did NOT make your 9 year old wait outside the shop. You did that. They just said you couldn't both be in their shop. You had the option to leave, but you decided that her waiting outside was worth it for your convenience.

Shop refuses your child entry? You don't go in.

Leaving her outside was your decision. I wouldn't have done that but you did.

@Hailtomyteeth

Shop refuses your child entry? You don't go in.

Leaving her outside was your decision. I wouldn't have done that but you did.

No, she didn't. Her daughter was allowed into the shop - her daughter was allowed around the aisles with her - it was only once she reached the till, with her basket full of shopping, that the OP was told only one person was allowed at the till and her daughter should wait outside.

Thank you for correcting me. Being in error on MumsNet is one of my worst fears.

Or possibly not. But thank you, anyway.

Op I'd have shoved my basket into her arms and told her to stuff it before I let my kid stand outside the pound shop on our retail park! It's not acceptable

Nice - glad I don’t work in retail if customers are like this

I would have tipped the contents of the basket on the floor and walked out. Lockdown hasnt started yet and already the power mad shop staff are out in force.

@lagerandblack

I would have tipped the contents of the basket on the floor and walked out. Lockdown hasnt started yet and already the power mad shop staff are out in force.

They are frontttttttttt linnnnnnne against the virus. Key key key worker

@DenimDrift

less people in her till area less chance of catching covid......why argue? just move,retail workers are sitting ducks right now

As is a 9 year old child left outside.

OP also didn't take her 'entire family'. Single parents with one child being expected to leave them is madness.

For fucks sake a 9 year old is more than capable of waiting outside a shop. No wonder so many kids are growing up to be such wimps. Absolutely pathetic.

I can’t say where I work but we don’t allow children in - not even
Babies. Parents will have to wait outside and we serve them at the door with full ppe on.
Unpopular opinion but people should limit children in shops unless it’s absolutely necessary.

I do agree that it seems madness that they allowed her in the shop to then go outside.
However the lady serving you may be terrified of catching the virus but has to go to work to earn money.
She may just be paranoid and doing her best to limit contact and at the tills is where she is with customers.
I’d let it go- I feel very sorry for people working in retail at the moment

"I would have tipped the contents of the basket on the floor and walked out. Lockdown hasnt started yet and already the power mad shop staff are out in force."

Good for you. Literally throwing your toys out the pram like a petulant toddler just to create more work for "power mad shop staff" is really sticking it to the man. Round of applause 👏👏👏

@username108

For fucks sake a 9 year old is more than capable of waiting outside a shop. No wonder so many kids are growing up to be such wimps. Absolutely pathetic.

What's pathetic is telling other folk at what age their own kids can do what.

@WhatifIfeellikeacat

I'd have called a manager. Your child is 9 not even a teen.

But what’s the point she no less infectious, or otherwise, waiting at the door as in the queue.

I’m so glad I don’t work in retail right now. The abuse the staff are getting is disgusting. It’s the fat cats sitting at home who makes these decisions not the poor staff who are on a pitiful wage.

@Aridane

Op I'd have shoved my basket into her arms and told her to stuff it before I let my kid stand outside the pound shop on our retail park! It's not acceptable

Nice - glad I don’t work in retail if customers are like this

There are plenty like this sadly.