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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it’s okay to take the kids b&m

137 replies

Star1402 · 31/12/2020 12:32

Don’t like shopping myself or taking my kids shopping at the best of times so don’t really like taking them even more so now with covid.

Really need a few essentials. Bread, milk etc. This morning I came on my first period in 4 years and haven’t got any supplies (sorry tmi). Really can’t be assed with a supermarket, partner is at work until tonight, our village shop only takes cash and I have no cash. Not sure what’s open locally tomorrow.

Aibu to take the kids b&m? We’ve just gone into tier 3. Worried that’ll be frowned upon if I take dc in? All I’ve seen is people moaning that children and families are in shops etc.

They are pretty good really. Too young for masks but sanitise regularly and know how to social distance.

Can you tell I’ve barely been out during the pandemic ^^ and tend to get everything delivered!

OP posts:
cuparfull · 31/12/2020 14:17

I've seen lots of little ones wearing masks cos adults do so they will copy them. Make it fun. It's a trip out for them and a necessity for you. And if they can pop on a mask it will prevent stares in your direction from other shoppers. You are trying after all.
Your little ones can catch this new strain aswell Flowers

nosswith · 31/12/2020 14:18

Scarves around their mouth could act as a face covering. Set an example to other parents who cannot leave children alone.

Whatwouldscullydo · 31/12/2020 14:19

Oh god don't pay petrol station prices just so you can leave kids in the car...

Fgs

Just go.

ancientgran · 31/12/2020 14:19

You don't have B&M shock
I thought they are everywhere.
No not in my small town or the slightly bigger town nextdoor where I do some shopping but apparently we might be getting one in 2021. I often see posts about B&M bargains so I am looking forward to it which shows how sad my life has been in 2020.

Tenyearsgone · 31/12/2020 14:20

No one will stare at you, OP.

No one in RL cares that you took your kids to B & M.

itsgettingweird · 31/12/2020 14:21

It's essential shopping.

That's why they are open.

And I wouldn't blame you for shoving some chocolate and wine in there too to get you though your period.

If it's your first in 4 years it may get really heavy so make sure you stock up well.

SpiderGwen · 31/12/2020 14:22

Go without a backwards glance, OP. San pro are essentials, whatever the VAT system thinks.

Brighterthansunflowers · 31/12/2020 14:25

It’s essential and DC can’t be left alone so of course YANBU

IEat · 31/12/2020 14:25

Tier 4 and entire families are in asda

HibernatingTill2030 · 31/12/2020 14:27

I'm a hard line rule follower and think this is fine.
Of course parents need to take their young kids into shops with hem sometimes. I only judge multiple adults (silently, I'm not a dickhead IRL!)

WidowTwonky · 31/12/2020 14:30

@itsgettingweird

It's essential shopping.

That's why they are open.

And I wouldn't blame you for shoving some chocolate and wine in there too to get you though your period.

If it's your first in 4 years it may get really heavy so make sure you stock up well.

OP is tier 3 so all shops are open, not just essential shops
LaceyBetty · 31/12/2020 14:32

Why wouldn't some posters have children wear masks? They can spread it too.

AcrossthePond55 · 31/12/2020 14:40

A 10 and 5 year old can wear masks. Where I live it's over age 2. You see plenty of children under 5 wearing masks.

I wouldn't judge if I saw a mum with 'pandemically' well-behaved kids in masks with san pro or other necessities in her cart who was obviously doing an 'in and out' market run. We all get caught short at times.

A mum with unmasked kids racing about or not keeping their hands to themselves 'on an outing' slowly browsing the aisles tossing in the odd items, yes I'd judge.

TrialOfStyle · 31/12/2020 14:40

Of course you can, and honestly fuck those who say they shouldn’t be there.

Essential needs don’t stop because you have children and many parents have no choice but to take them.

Whatwouldscullydo · 31/12/2020 14:43

A mum with unmasked kids racing about or not keeping their hands to themselves 'on an outing' slowly browsing the aisles tossing in the odd items, yes I'd judge

Some of those kids could be exempt and stop stalking customers akd do your own shopping. You'd only see the non essential items if you were behind them in the non essential aisle yourself

DominaShantotto · 31/12/2020 14:43

@Tenyearsgone

No one in RL will give you a second glance. It's only on MN that people froth about kids in shops.
In the real world people have been the same way toward my kids when I've had them with me in stores as they always have. The knob heads have tutted like they always will, and the nice people have said hello to them like they always do.

MN 2020 has been fuller than normal of contenders applying for the Judgemental Olympics - don't go by MN opinion or you'll drive yourself insane.

Tenyearsgone · 31/12/2020 14:44

@AcrossthePond55

A 10 and 5 year old can wear masks. Where I live it's over age 2. You see plenty of children under 5 wearing masks.

I wouldn't judge if I saw a mum with 'pandemically' well-behaved kids in masks with san pro or other necessities in her cart who was obviously doing an 'in and out' market run. We all get caught short at times.

A mum with unmasked kids racing about or not keeping their hands to themselves 'on an outing' slowly browsing the aisles tossing in the odd items, yes I'd judge.

I expect you would be straight on the phone logging it with 101.
TrialOfStyle · 31/12/2020 14:46

And I surprised that people are having negative comments about children in shops RL (and not in MN world).

I’ve actually had the complete opposite - people like to wave or say hello to my DS or just otherwise ignore us completely and get on with things.

Feedingthebirds1 · 31/12/2020 14:53

OP sorry, I'm going a bit off track here. Why is this your first period in four years, do you need to see a doctor?

(I had one after three years, and it turned out to be a cyst that could have gone either way.)

As you were.

satnighttakeaway · 31/12/2020 14:58

Goodness, you can tell you haven't been out, I've go to B & M sometimes more than once a week and no one in my local one cares how many children you have with you, in fact other than during the actual lockdown I haven't been in any shop that limits the numbers of people in a party.

You don't need to submit a written application to go shopping, just go and buy what you need Grin

HalfTermHalfTerm · 31/12/2020 15:02

You wouldn’t be at all unreasonable to take them in with you given the circumstances, but it would be a good idea for your 10 year old to wear a mask if he’s able to. They’re not “too young for masks”. They’re young enough that they don’t legally have to wear them in England, but that’s not quite the same thing...

Good luck!

mumwon · 31/12/2020 15:02

@Feedingthebirds1 I agree - I think it might be a really good idea to check with gp even a phone call appointment

Whenwillow · 31/12/2020 15:03

It's fine @Star1402. Go and get what you need. In the real world it's perfectly usual to see a parent shopping with their children. You tend to hear about the nutters on MN but in the main, most people are quite sensible.

MoreLikeThis · 31/12/2020 15:05

I’m amazed that your local shop doesn't take cards.

satnighttakeaway · 31/12/2020 15:14

@MoreLikeThis

I’m amazed that your local shop doesn't take cards.
There are small shops near me that only take cash, we don't all live in the same metropolitan place Grin
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