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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:
AwaAnBileYerHeid · 31/12/2020 15:21

If you have any other options then that would be better ie a corner shop that you could nip into, as obviously crowds should be kept down to a minimum. However if you have no other choice then you need to do what you need to do.

MaryLeeOnHigh · 31/12/2020 15:22

What's b&m?

Feedingthebirds1 · 31/12/2020 15:24

@MaryLeeOnHigh

What's b&m?
www.bmstores.co.uk/
Whatwouldscullydo · 31/12/2020 15:30

If you have any other options then that would be better ie a corner shop that you could nip into, as obviously crowds should be kept down to a minimum. However if you have no other choice then you need to do what you need to do

Corner shops mean limited range and more expensive. If a shop is open people can go in it and they can buy whatever it sells. Doesn't require all the over thinking. U go wherever sells what you need at a price you can afford

AcrossthePond55 · 31/12/2020 15:32

@Whatwouldscullydo

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

I don't generally 'do' my own shopping because I'm high risk. Because of people who don't think the rules apply to them, I do mine online and have it delivered or I shop during the specified hours for vulnerable people.

And it's pretty damned easy to see who is on an outing and who is tending to business.

And I wasn't aware that ALL the 'nonessentials' are gathered in one aisle. Where I live they're spread throughout the store.

Whatwouldscullydo · 31/12/2020 15:34

If a shop is open they can buy whats in it. Keep your nose out others shopping baskets.

They're are no rules that say single parents can't take their kids

TrialOfStyle · 31/12/2020 15:41

*I don't generally 'do' my own shopping because I'm high risk. Because of people who don't think the rules apply to them, I do mine online and have it delivered or I shop during the specified hours for vulnerable people.

And it's pretty damned easy to see who is on an outing and who is tending to business.*

How is it ‘pretty damned easy’ if you have your shopping delivered? You don’t go out but you know exactly who is browsing stores and not doing essential shops?

GlowingOrb · 31/12/2020 15:45

It’s an essential trip so I would just do it

But 10 and 5 really should be in masks. Where I live they would be legally mandated.

RozHuntleysStump · 31/12/2020 15:45

Nobody cares anymore. In my experience anyway.

Mulhollandmagoo · 31/12/2020 15:48

Absolutely typical that OP! Hope you're ok Cake It's so sad that we've got to a point where someone has to worry about going to the shop for tampons because of what people will say! Of course you can go, you can't sit in your own mess until your husband comes home, what the hell has happened to everyone?

Your kids don't have to wear masks as the guidance states 11, but it might be worth grabbing some kids ones in B&M just to get at least your oldest used to them, as he'll have to wear them after his next birthday

EcoCustard · 31/12/2020 16:10

In tier 4 now and if I need to go to any of the shops that are open with my 4 children under 6 I will. If any wants to judge, crack on. Anyone wants to pass comment, be careful. So sick of the half baked rules, curtain twitching and double standards from so many.

ChikiTIKI · 31/12/2020 16:18

Yes, just go.

I'm in Manchester and been in tier 3 for what feels like forever. Got to get food etc sometimes and can't always wait for my husband to get home from work. Never had any funny looks etc, others have to do the same.

MistletoeandGin · 31/12/2020 16:23

And it's pretty damned easy to see who is on an outing and who is tending to business

How is it, if you don’t do your own shopping?

It’s odd. When I go shopping I go into a shop, find the things I need (or want!), pay, and leave. I cannot recall ever in my life noticing what people are picking up off the shelves, whether the items in the trolley could be considered essential or not or what their motivation is for being in the shop.

ForeverBubblegum · 31/12/2020 16:30

It's fine, I'm in an area that has been tier 3 for months, if we need something from the shop I just take the kids, it's the only practical thing to do. I've just moved up to 4, so will now be more careful, but even so if I needed to I would.

Lightwindows · 31/12/2020 16:37

I would just go and take the children. I occasionally take mine if I need stuff for that evenings meal for example , it can't wait and DH won't be back on time. No one has ever said anything , but I don't do it regularly. Tier 4 now as well.

Hollywhiskey · 31/12/2020 16:47

I take mine round the supermarket every week because they are toddlers and you aren't allowed to leave them tied up outside. No one has ever said anything to me.

MotherExtraordinaire · 31/12/2020 16:49

@Star1402

Usually I’d wait until partner is home but he’s on a long shift and shorter opening hours in shops here locally today!

They are 10&5!

Why is that too young to wear masks?

Not a legal requirement, but in light of recent developments surely a basic preventable measure?

Starlightstarbright1 · 31/12/2020 17:03

Jesus. Hope you went and hot some chocolate as well.

After tgat many years i would consider chocolate essential never mind the sanitary protection.

canonlydoblue · 31/12/2020 17:17

I took 5 children into b and m earlier. We needed milk and daddy was working until gone shops closing tonight. We walked so there was not the option of leaving them in the car and as the eldest is only eight I would not have liked to anyway. I hated taking them all in at the beginning of the pandemic and I heard one or two comments being made about how irresponsible it was having them all in with me but what else could I do? Now I don´t let it bother me - two littlest in the pushchair, two middles walk holding either side and eldest is usually sensible enough to walk behind.

MasterBeth · 31/12/2020 17:21

Am I being thick?

What does “take someone b&m” mean?

SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/12/2020 17:26

@MasterBeth

Am I being thick?

What does “take someone b&m” mean?

To b&m. it's pretty clear from anything written below thethread title.
MasterBeth · 31/12/2020 17:30

Obviously, it isn’t clear or I wouldn’t have asked.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/12/2020 17:32

There is even a link in a thread for b&m stores... It's just. Woe

yetanothernamitynamechange · 31/12/2020 17:33

I'm a single mum so always take mine shopping.
I wouldnt go crazy and start shopping twice a day just for shits and giggles, but actually as others have mentioned shops arent that high risk now as almost everyone is masked up and socially distancing etc. So I think its fine, so long as you dont lick the cashier!

SnottyLottie · 31/12/2020 17:35

If you have no one to look after them and are going out for essentials then it’s acceptable. Going out for a wander around the shops with your partner and kids just for something to do isn’t acceptable.

DH had to do this when I went back to work at the hospital. We had no one to look after the children and no food in the cupboards. He was so anxious someone would say something shitty to him but in the end it was fine and no one said a word.