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.

People who don't feel their produce or take a sniff must not care very much about getting good quality

I think that's pretty typical in the U.K. in fairness

Sometimes DH and I both want to look at something in the supermarket?

Like he wants to choose the joint for the roast he's cooking and I want to browse the ladies pjs. So why would we go on separate trips when we can go together (and the kids are too young to stay at home alone).

When baby number 2 was small DH would take both kids to the supermarket at the weekend to give me a break & knock a chore off the list at the same time. For toddlers the supermarket is as exciting as anywhere else!

We have also shopped on the way from somewhere and sitting in a car with fidgety children is definitely worse than all shopping together.

I’m sorry but smelling unwrapped veg isn’t on 🤮

I've done this occasionally although I try avoid it like the plague but get this my kids ACTUALLY ENJOY going shopping, pushing the trolly, fetching stuff on the list etc. It's like an Olympic event and they seriously compete to help, baffles me why but anyway once in a while one dc will wear me down and I'll agree to take them but then the other thinks it's unfair etc. & I'd already said yeah to one and she's already got coat on and I don't feel like being a bitch by telling her to take it off again, I have 3 kids so if they're all coming you bet your life I'm dragging dp along cause I got a job to do and list to follow and can't be constantly eyeballing little hands throwing all sorts in the trolly or begging for toys etc.

Anyways there's prob a million reasons family shop together, I'd even imagine some that just actually enjoy it that way .... regardless I think we should all mind our own business & carry on

I’m sorry but smelling unwrapped veg isn’t on

never go to Italy

Surely with Foodbanks a constant in some localities, it’s a positive that families are out together in regular supermarkets.
MN seems to be moaning about trivial matters again and of course the swearing is almost compulsory. Why swear, I just don’t get the ‘potty’ language.

fine in a nice spacious upmarket supermarket such as MnS or Waitrose but not fair on staff or other shoppers to have your “day out” in cheaper supermarkets with less space and staff.

If the supermarket isn't online she maybe didn't have an option. Partner to help carry the shopping. It is stressful taking the kids, but if they don't have family to babysit, they sound too young to be left at home.
I took my son with me quite often, his dad would come along, as he works at Lidl and we get a staff discount, but only when he is there. Now our son is old enough to stay at home. Both German supermarkets aren't online, but are cheap.

I like shopping with DH. We never write a list or really have a plan so we tend to buy what we see and base meals off what we have. If we both go we each have different inspirations and end up with a much better shop.

This^

Just another thought. When families are out together, they’re not paying to heat their home.

We’ve done it- on the way back from somewhere else. Yes, it’s hell🤷🏼‍♀️😂

I prefer to go food shopping by myself but sometimes it becomes a family trip. If I have picked the children up from Nursery and Preschool which is right near a Supermarket, I would go straight there. Sometimes my Husband would meet me there so he could get a lift home (he doesn't drove). Sometimes I would need him to pay as it is a while to my pay day and he has just been paid. Though I have my two children sat in the trolley.

I work on a supermarket checkout and wonder about this several times a day. Surely any adult of normal intelligence can do a food shop alone.

but not fair on staff or other shoppers to have your “day out” in cheaper supermarkets with less space and staff.

I have never heard of a supermarket suggesting there's anything wrong with family's shopping together (outside of covid) so I'm not quite sure what authority you have to tell people off for doing it

We mostly used Waitrose or Sainsburys (the ones within walking distance).

I liked seeing the DDs thinking about what pasta they wanted and whether Bear Salmon ('the salmon that bears catch in rivers' - Sockeye) would be better with sushi rice or long grain.

Neither of them existed on pot noodles and KFC at university - but both had housemates that struggled with toast (and washing, and bills, and household repairs and life in general)

It’s because neither of the parents want to be stuck home solo parenting so insist on going so everyone can suffer together, themselves, the children, general public

I can't think of anything worse. I have teenagers now, but when they were little (two girls quite close together in age) I only took them both if I absolutely had to. If they both sat in the trolley they'd annoy each other and pull each other's hair. If I got the older one to walk, she invariably wanted to push the trolley All By Herself, which she was too young to do properly. Then one of them would always have a tantrum. Or start shouting at the top of their voice. Or pretend to be a very loud dog! Luckily I have a DH to help me, although he often worked odd shifts. I'd take turns to bring one of the kids with me, but both of them together were a nightmare!

I've been shopping online for years now!

Salmon and sushi rice all the way, was it?

Perhaps the mom couldn't drive and needed the dad? Just a thought. Plus a change of scenery is as good as a rest.

I’ve just got back from asdas with my adult daughter. Oh my days it’s been the worst shopping experience ever. The assistant marking down the reduced goods was literally screaming at the people waiting for a bargain! I observed for a few minutes and couldn’t help but tell her she was being rude and speaking to customers like that was unacceptable! Half the people agreed with me and the other half thought she was in the right. I ended up walking away rather quickly!!

This ^^

You r got too much time on your hands love to be wondering about why the take their kids shopping; maybe go for a walk each day until your shed to seeing people in groups; especially families.

I think we've become really intolerant of other people's choices. If shopping when it's likely to be busy really bothers you go at a different time. Shops are open early and late now. When I was a child I loved gong to the shops with my mum. It was one of my favourite things to do and I remember it fondly. I used to take my kid when she was younger and now as a teen is one of the few things she'll do voluntarily without being threatened to have her phone taken off her. So leave people to their choices and if it bothers you that much go early in the morning or later at night and stop letting things like this bother you.

@Kteeb1 My kids always enjoy(ed) shopping too.