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.

No, you're being sniffy! Your subsequent replies show that quite clearly. At least own it.

3/4 of my kids used to love going to the supermarket when they were little. We used to go to the library first. The three who liked it all grew up with an interest in food and learned to cook and bake when they were very young. I probably could have left them with DH when he was around but it was never an issue. We were on a pretty tight budget then and it was a cheap morning out.

Shopping is educational. Kids learn to count, colours, basic maths, fruits and veg, manners etc and older kids learn meal planning, budgeting and about a balanced diet. It’s a pretty important life skill.

I did everything I could to go without mine as a lone parent,b, because it was harder and she was a pita, but now she’s a teen (and could actually be helpful) she is a) useless and b) sees no reason to bother. I wish I’d made routine stuff like that part of our family culture, rather than it getting magically done out of sight.

I find it stressful enough without children, by taking them with me I can't concentrate well on what I am searching for. It's too exhausting. And stressful.

DH feels same as I do. I often go during week when they are at school.

I'm always baffled by this, I understand one parent and children as life can't stop because you're doing childcare and I really couldn't give a shit about mine doing something boring, I'm not an entertainer.

That being said, I think both DH and I would rather be displayed naked in the shop window than go into a supermarket with the kids and each other! Really just grinding drudgery - wait outside, in the car, anywhere else. But then I've also noticed so many people dawdle round, away with the fucking fairies like it's some sort of spa break. I'm an in and out shopper, fuming at waisted time and long queues.

Btw anyone who thinks like me and shops at M&S get the scan and shop app. Revelation, don't even have to go to a till to pay, can just pay on your phone and leave. Did it this morning as others queued to the back of the shop!

I was widowed with a baby and toddler so had no choice. But I kept the baby in the trolley and got the toddler to help find items and discuss which vegetables she might like to have with dinner, learn the names of unusual fruits etc, to keep her occupied and quiet.
We only went once a week as it was a 20 mile round trip. It must be much easier for parents now that the internet exists and they can book home delivery instead.

We do this most weekends (family of 4, 2 adults, 2 kids). Never really analyse why, I suppose we just like to all be together on the weekend.

I’ve just been and it’s incredibly busy where I am. Plus there were whole families out there. I left my husband at home with the kids. I mean they hate it as much as I do!

Well, shopping for ingredients, learning about food, recipes, money, queuing properly, behaving well in public...these are all good life skills to learn.

Why wouldn't you take your kids out into the world to help them learn things? Are you gonna introduce them to supermarkets the day before you drop them off at Uni?

Family life is a mix of fun stuff and domestic mundanities; the sooner kids get that idea the better.

Lots of people are upset about it on the thread.

If I had to guess I would say they're having a day out and doing the shopping as part of that. Maybe the shop has bad signal so it's easier for them to go and make decisions together. Maybe it occupies the kids, and they all want to come so the extra parent comes to help. Maybe they enjoy going shopping together.

You've totally missed the point of the thread. I wasn't annoyed by it, more baffled.

This.

@AMessageToYouRuby Yep, I always scan my shopping as well, it’s so much quicker!

Different people, different approaches, I suppose. I don’t care for shopping in any form, tbh, I’m in and out of the shops ASAP!

This is also a factor for us too! 😊

I just went to M&S and did my food shop

I did not know this app existed!

Why, are you worried that they'll have inhaled all the flavour, and left none for you...?

YANBU. I don’t understand this.

We do this, it's fun! Toddler loves the trolley and being allow to choose a few things, and it allows DH and I to spend some time together, which is also lovely. We go to the caf in the supermarket for a snack too, it kills a couple of hours, costs nothing, and our toddler has so much fun. If you ask her what she wants to do on a weekend, she usually says "go to the shops"

😂😂 displayed naked 😂😂 Love this reply

We all go together sometimes.
We have a 1 year old and a 3 year old.
It's nice to do things together on a weekend as we both work full time and they're both in full time nursery.

We all went today (me, DP and DC4) because I can't drive and occasionally I like to do the shopping...

Every time I think this. I usually shop online but had to go and get a few extras this morning for the week. Whole families shopping - extended families shopping. Why? Its not a pastime. Its a chore.

You can smell them through the packaging if they are any good.

But isn't that the point of going in the shop, to properly assess the produce etc? Otherwise why don't you shop online?

I don't want insipid tomatoes with no flavour.

Why not shop online, OP? Then you’ll never have to waste time wondering why people are in a supermarket.

Isn't this the end result of threads like these though? Parents getting shit for taking their kids to do boring stuff, so they feel the pressure to entertain them at all times, then people post shit about them 'performance parenting' or whatever.