Whole families going food shopping

[Shiningstarr]

Just came back from food shopping, there were a couple of young families in there, one in particular, the mum was pushing the trolley, her two young children walking near her and the dad was following with a pram and carrying another toddler.

Surely it would be easier for just mum to go and do the food shop, or just dad? Why bring all those children plus pram? I can't think of anything worse. Both mum and dad looked stressed.

Oo I love a family mooch around George.

but it’s annoying

@Heathershimmerwasmyshade Lots of things people do in public are annoying. Slow walkers, talking in aisles, faffing about at the till, chatting with the cashier, talking on their phone, not looking where they’re going, making conversation with strangers etc etc etc

People are annoying, but you just have to live with it.

We do this when we’re on the way back from a day out.

Frankly couldn’t give a shit what other families do in the supermarket or why they need/want to shop together, it’s not my business and nor does it bother me.

life is way to short to be dealing with meaningless shit like this.

Why did you answer his calls

It is annoying when the supermarket is busy and both parents (and surprisingly often also a mobile young grandparent) are all traipsing around together with several young children doing a big shop and blocking aisles and access to shelves.

It's also a very British, or perhaps Anglo Saxon, phenomenon- I live outside the UK now and vanishingly rarely see it here.

Maybe this and maybe that - of course there could be reasons (not least a massively controlling partner in the mix) but aside from abusive relationship issues its hard to understand anyone doing a big shop (not just picking up milk on the way home from a trip - anyway then surely everyone stays in the car except one adult who goes in and out as quickly as possible) this way in a country where online grocery shopping is almost universally accessible.

Where I live there isn't the option of online grocery shopping outside the biggest cities, but somehow people still don't do two parents and multiple children supermarket shops often (one parent plus small children yes - presumably through necessity and usually with the smaller child in the trolley seat).

What a hateful thread.

Indeed.

Hmmm…someone explains why they prefer to do the thing you don’t get and your response is to subtly dig at them?

Ouch, y’know who finds something weird or funny in someone else that they reckon other people can join them in judging, then derides anyone who tries to point out a differing point of view? Bullies. Bullies, do that.

I’m sure you didn’t mean to do anything like that, OP but it did come across kinda shittily imo.

Those reasons that you've just outlined weren't valid enough for you then? You still find it baffling despite very articulate explanations?

To be fair OP does sound quite immature.

YANBU. At all.

Exactly what I said earlier. The op hasn't answered in a while though, so presumably isn't so keen when the shoe is on the other foot...

We usually go as a family. Because we stop in for shopping on the way home from a family day out. No point wasting petrol going home then making a separate trip (not near supermarkets so easier to combine the two) And the kids just scream if one of us stays in the car with them. DS1 walks along side us quietly and DS2 sits in the trolley taking it all in. Plus we've started letting DS1 who's nearly 3 pick one or 2 of his own treats when we're shopping and he loves it.
If its a quick basket shop one of us runs in and the other stays in the car with the kids.

Yes I find it really bizarre when I see whole families doing the shopping together, that is my worst nightmare! Going shopping is my escape from the home! Also if my partner and child were there we would spend so much more money.

It’s a bit sad that families who want to spend time together can’t have a nice day out somewhere really.

When our children were young we always did a shop as a family. Shopping is very educational for children, weighing loose fruit and veg, working out money, chatting about what meals to have, so language development, decision making , cognitive development and develops independence too. Dh cooks in our house and we always did our food shop en route home from visiting the inkaws so it’s easier to go altogether rather than just one of us. Our children enjoyed it.

Indeed, even during covid when it wasn't meant to be happening, but apparently was. Obviously kids can't go alone, and some people need a carer/someone to accompany them but you don't need an entire family to be there.

You live a blessed life if this is a real issue fir you.
Or you're extraordinarily shirt tempered and mean.

This is similar to what I witness, where are walk these families who peacefully have a democratic discussion on what foods they should buy, and those children gaining an education by counting tins and learning the value of things? 😂 I had to run once more today to grab a few things I'd forgotten, and ended up in an aisle with a poor mother whose child was in the midst of a tantrum, screaming the shop down. That was not a delightful, family bonding experience for her I'm sure.

@Shiningstarr I love your responses

I just thought of another "maybe"
Maybe he (or she) is controlling and doesn't trust the other one to go shopping alone. He/she may want to know exactly what is being bought or they are the person that controls the money so won't let the other use the card etc

(Experienced this at work once)

Autistic kids we can't leave and both need one to one 🤷‍♀️
Also they love shopping 😂

It's quite sad to see the sheer intolerance of so many people on this thread. I wonder what makes these perfect people think they have the right to judge others and expect a special shopping experience geared to their own specifications, surely families and slow moving talkative people have as much right as anyone else to do their shopping how and when it is convenient for them.

YABU, love a trip to big Sainsbury's with the twins, have a poke round the clothes, choose some treats for dinner, choose the fruit and veg (so they understand where food comes, it's not just grey slop out of a packet), it's a nice little trip out.

Boring heavy items come in an online shop.

Do you think that I should give up my time when they're in nursery to slog round on my own? Errrrrr no thanks 🙄

Also have nice memories of going round the supermarket with my parents as a child, it's a perfectly ok thing to do together?

On occasion, DH and DS(2yo) come do the groceries with me. It is a great learning experience for DS, and DH likes to have a look every so often to see if he'd like to try something new. I do the cooking, so it makes sense for me to get the food I need for the week, not DH, who can follow a list but can't read my mind as to sizing and brands.

I don't like online shopping as we get 80% fresh food and it is often of poor quality when delivered. I want to choose my own produce and Use By dates.