Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ice cream van outside school

196 replies

MummyJasmin · 23/10/2023 17:03

It’s nearly November and we still have the ice cream van turning up outside primary school! I appreciate he has to make a living but can he not stick to summer or park up somewhere away from the youngest children?

You could maybe reason with an older child but a recently turned 3yo, is nigh on impossible! My lo finishes school tired and therefore prone to be irritable. I usually give in because I can’t be doing with the drama or attention from other parents - by drama I mean screaming and tantrumming etc! He parks in such a place where he cannot be avoided.

I rang my local council and they weren’t bothered. So long as it wasn’t a public protection matter he wasn’t doing anything wrong. The woman I was speaking to had thr audacity to suggest I needed to reason with my 3 yo…so wtf now it’s a parenting issue?! That’s not how 3yos are!

Ive sent an email to the school but I doubt they will do anything

aibu?

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 23/10/2023 17:05

He’s trying to make a living. He can park where he wants.
Learn how to say no to your child.

Mumoftwotoddlers · 23/10/2023 17:05

You're being ridiculous, tell your 3 year old no and walk around the ice cream van.

ivfbabymomma1 · 23/10/2023 17:06

Would you ask Tesco to love the toy isles?

pizzaHeart · 23/10/2023 17:06

Could you take a little snack/ juice drink ( or both) with you to give your LO when you straight out of the school? I remember a few parents at DD’s school literally were holding unwrapped snacks ready waiting for kids.

iklboo · 23/10/2023 17:07

Of course it's a bloody parenting issue.

Needmorelego · 23/10/2023 17:07

"Sorry Darling but not today"
The End

Thesearmsofmine · 23/10/2023 17:08

You just have to say no and carry through with it, the same as when they see a toy or something shiny in the supermarket.

If I had an ice cream van I would do hot chocolates etc in cooler months.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 23/10/2023 17:08

The woman I was speaking to had thr audacity to suggest I needed to reason with my 3 yo…so wtf now it’s a parenting issue?! That’s not how 3yos are!

Of course it's a parenting issue. You can't avoid every source of temptation, so you'll have to get him used to hearing 'no' eventually.

rainbowstardrops · 23/10/2023 17:09

Really? Just parent. Jeez.

Rudolphthefrog · 23/10/2023 17:10

You don’t need to “reason” with the 3 year old. And it absolutely is a parenting issue - your mistake is giving in to the tantrum. You just say no. If they kick off then they kick off, the world won’t end. Once they get used to the idea it is always “no” they stop asking. You can’t expect the world to never put temptations in the path of your toddler, you have to help them learn to deal with being told “no” and minor disappointment.

Starlightstarbright2 · 23/10/2023 17:10

This is part of the problem with kids these days - tantrums are normal development .. they learn it doesn’t matter if I tantrum sometimes no means no ..

and yes it is a parenting issue .. your child is tantruming because you give in .

Caffeineislife · 23/10/2023 17:11

It is a parenting issue. You are chosing to buy your child an ice cream because you cannot cope with the drama. Just say no.

RedHelenB · 23/10/2023 17:11

Mumoftwotoddlers · 23/10/2023 17:05

You're being ridiculous, tell your 3 year old no and walk around the ice cream van.

This. Or have a day a week where they can have one. "Not today, we get one on a Friday"

Babybearissleeping · 23/10/2023 17:11

Sorry OP but that's a parenting issue. You need to parent your child not expect others to change things around because you can't be bothered!

margotrose · 23/10/2023 17:12

It's not the ice-cream man's fault you can't say no to your child.

Do you expect Tesco to close off the dessert aisle too?

bossybloss · 23/10/2023 17:12

You just need to say no. Maybe tell him why .. it’s too cold, it’s near to dinner, you haven’t got the money or he’s had too many treats this week !

Or just say no!

Newuser75 · 23/10/2023 17:12

I get that it's annoying. We have a sweet shop right outside our school.

How about you say they can have an ice cream every Friday for example and stick
With it. Every other day you just say, sorry, we will have one on Friday. Ignore any protests.

They will get the hang of it eventually if you stick at it!

UsingChangeofName · 23/10/2023 17:13

Of course it is a parenting issue.

The council and the school will be doing a LOT of internal eye-rolling at you.

I usually give in because I can’t be doing with the drama or attention from other parents - by drama I mean screaming and tantrumming etc

So, lesson being learned by your dc is "I kick off and scream because Mum then gets me what I want"

Hmm
Mumoftwotoddlers · 23/10/2023 17:13

Thesearmsofmine · 23/10/2023 17:08

You just have to say no and carry through with it, the same as when they see a toy or something shiny in the supermarket.

If I had an ice cream van I would do hot chocolates etc in cooler months.

Please get an ice cream van because that's a brilliant idea! Maybe offer to put a splash of Bailey's in when parents order a hot chocolate for an extra couple of pound

43ontherocksporfavor · 23/10/2023 17:13

Be a parent and say no! I hated it as much as you and school asked him not to but they have no power over where he parks. I used to say is it Friday AND hot? If it was, they got an ice cream.

edwinbear · 23/10/2023 17:13

Best to get them used to hearing ‘no’, before they hit their teens and want £200 trainers, the latest X box and an upgraded phone every year…..

SecretVictoria · 23/10/2023 17:13

🤣

Paltrypam · 23/10/2023 17:14

Focus on parenting your 3 year old.

You usually give in?

Great!

didistutter56 · 23/10/2023 17:14

You rang the council because you’re too embarrassed to properly parent your child?!

Paltrypam · 23/10/2023 17:14

Presumably you never take him grocery shopping?