Ice Cream Van being parked almost opposite school - AIBU?

[CleverCatty]

I've noticed that over Lockdown an Ice Cream Van has been parked almost opposite the school gates and most days from 2pm onwards (so when the nursery finishes for the day it's there and then when school ends).

The van used to be parked further down the road on which I live but has obviously moved further, nearer to the school?

AIBU that it shouldn't be every day or am I just being a Moaning Minnie?

Ice cream man realises kids will make good customers shocker... hold the front page!

@Sycamoretrees

Good grief, do you not have any compassion for people's businesses that have been badly hit by the pandemic? Or understand that as a parent you have the power to say no if you don't want to buy your child something?

Have ice cream vans been hit by the pandemic? The ones around us have done a great trade. I agree it’s annoying it just means you need to have that conversation and say no everyday while their pals whose parents seem to have endless cash and no concerns for their kids health buy daily treats.

@Comefromaway

If you're not a parent then why on earth are you giving this headspace? Those of us who are parents see nothing much wrong.

I suppose because last year it was tempting and I did succumb to the ice creams...

I didn't say you were a parent.... you don't need to be a parent to understand that parents can exercise self control and say no when appropriate.

Sounds normal to me, same as when I was at school 30+ years ago. It's up to parents to parent and say yes or no to their children having ice cream.

@WithTeaTree

Do they still sell cider lollies or is that not a thing any longer?

christ - if he did sell them I'd buy them - let me ask him.

@WithTeaTree

Do they still sell cider lollies or is that not a thing any longer?

Ooooh. A cider lolly. Forgotten those!

I don’t think this is a particularly new thing. There was usually an ice cream van parked outside my school when I was a kid. Plus as others have said, it makes good business sense. Go where your customers are.

"preying"? ffs

I suppose because last year it was tempting and I did succumb to the ice creams...

Well in that case, because you have no self control then let’s ban the van owners from making ends meet! Is this a wind up?

“Preying on parents and kids” what a dramatic statement. Surely it’s the job of a parent to decide if their kid had an ice-cream? Or perhaps you are implying we need to live in a society where choice is not an option?

@WithTeaTree

Do they still sell cider lollies or is that not a thing any longer?

We bought from an ice cream van at the weekend. I had an apple cider lolly, still as good as I remember!

Blimey you should see what folk are selling outside my kid's school It's got so bad there are regular police patrols, especially at drop off/pick up times.

Some councils have banned them from parking up near schools I think.

I cringe at the name though too - it's 'Uncle .....' vomit.

What do you mean by this, OP?

This reminds me a bit of that story about the guy who sued McDonald’s because he became overweight by eating there everyday, and blamed it on their lack of healthy options.
I’m pretty sure after that they started selling the salads and stuff.

So maybe the ice cream man should have a bit of fruit knocking about, problem solved! Lol

There's one comes and parks outside the park which is practically an extra playground for my school every Friday afternoon from March until it gets too cold. He does a very brisk business, surprise surprise.

I rarely buy from him, because shockingly enough I'm capable of deciding what I do with my money and DCs.

It's absurd. He's not forcing you to buy anything. People kick off about shops and fast food places being too close to schools. Even teachers going out and physically stopping kids from going in them. Ridiculous.

I can't believe you created a thread about this, bored much op? What utter nonsense your not even a parent do can't understand what the issue sounds like your curtain twitching.

YABVU. Everything in moderation.

The van being there is a great lesson for kids (who have responsible parents) that you can’t always get what you want. You can have ice cream sometimes, but not every day even if it’s there every day.

It is a parents responsibility to moderate their child’s intake and an adults responsibility to moderate their own.

In our small town, the walk home from school for many primary kids takes them past not only an ice cream van, but also two supermarkets, a petrol station, the bakers, two newsagents, the fish and chip shop and five other assorted takeaways.

Temptations galore, and a myriad of opportunities to stuff your face.

Unless your parent say no, of course.

AIBU that it shouldn't be every day or am I just being a Moaning Minnie?

For me - it's encouraging kids to eat fatty, sweet, ice cream more often than they would otherwise.

This is such a non issue, the guy has to make a living. He isn't forcing anyone to buy an ice cream every day.

It's fine, I am sure the ice cream man or woman,will know all the rules about parking safely. Ice cream people are always aware ,where business will likely be good.

Just hope they don't keep switching on those horrible loud jangling chimes.

When I was a kid at my primary school we had on ice-cream van parked at each gate ( three gates on three different roads ) each was run by a different company and they always vied for the 'best' gate to park at .

In secondary school they actual parked in the schools car park , they were there all year round and must of made a fortune selling ice cream and slush puppies in the summer and hot chocolate dusted with extra chocolate and whipped cream in the winter .
he sold sweets all year round , I was a sucker for the mint mojos.

So I think yabu , it must be a hard enough living to make as it is in that trade so as long as he is parked safely I can not see the issue , as PP have said it is up to the parents to control their DCs .

Do they still sell cider lollies or is that not a thing any longer?.

The one near our school does, and he takes card payments!