What age would you let your DC into a shop on their own

[Toomuchresponsibility88]

DD is 8, 9 in a few weeks

Today we needed to go to the local shop (think a local Co op size so small ish) but i also needed to walk the dog we're are dog sitting. Obviously dog isn't allowed in the shop

Dd is relatively sensible so I told her the two things we needed (bread and milk) gave her £10 and watched her from the window while she went to buy them for me.

Should also point out we're probably at the shop 3-4 times a week so the shop staff know her and she was in my sight at all time.

Dh was working and juat got home and when I told him has gone mad saying I prioritised the dog over DD

I think it gave DD some responsibility and she loved it, not saying I will make a habit of it but proved to her she knew what to do

Child goes into shop and buys something shocker. Is your husband always so weird or is it a new thing?

I’d agree it’s a really odd thing to worry about. Getting a child to nip in a store I’d completely normal. I’m not sure what he was worried would happen?

I started sending mine to the shop down the road at that age.
In the few years since then, the only "bad" thing to happen was that the milk fridge was broken, so the milk had been put on the top shelf of the wine fridge and they had to ask for an adult to reach it for them. Showing the phrase "big bottle of green milk" is pretty much universally understood.

Respectfully, your husband is an idiot. What was he expecting to haappen?

To clarify a few points

He doesn't like the fact we are dog sitting. It wasn't his choice (even though it's his parents dog) and has complained all week that the dog get more attention than he does. Whixh he does as the dog is cute and DH is capable of going to the toilet himself without me following.

I would 't leave a dog tied up outside a shop - wouldn't judge anyone for doing it, but personally I wouldn't and also not my dog so wouldn't want to leave it outside and anything happen.

He thinks I'm prioritising the dog as I've changed some plans to make sure the dog isn't left alone too much. One day I was meant to work from the office, none of my team were in so manager was happy for me to WFH, DH thinks I deliberately told everyone else to WFH so I didn't have to go

Ds's activity was cancelled yesterday morning. We could have done something else but me and the two kids decided to take the dog for a long (very long!) Walk instead (cheaper and kids loved walking the dog) apparently that's me being selfish for not going to other activity anyway even tho the kids wanted to go for a walk

And also he knows I am desperate for pur own dog, if it was just me I'd have one by now but he won't have it

So he's trying to make dog sitting as difficult as possible so I go off the idea of having one (not going to happen!)

He sounds like a jealous toddler, does he have any redeeming qualities because to be honest the more you post the more I think you should swap him for a dog. It sounds like a dog would be better company.

Oh wow, your OH sounds way overprotective, to say the least. I let my 5yo do this and he loves it - often ends up chatting to the shop assistant about what he's buying and what he's having for dinner lol

Goodness! I used to buy my own sweets when I was six, and once a week, I used to cycle into the village to buy fish and chips for the whole family. By the time I was eight, my Mum used to give me a shopping list and cash, and I could handle a trip to the local Spar. It helped with mental arithmetic, too - I always totted up the cost as I went along to make sure that I had enough money to pay.

My 10 year old has been going into the shop alone for about a year although he was asked once where his parents were.

At 8 or 9 I used to send my children to the local co op on their own! If I was waiting outside the door and the shop was small I would definitely send them in at 6 if they were happy to do it, maybe even younger if they knew what to do.

Mine walked to the local shop and school from 7.. Probably considered neglectful by MN standards but I'm big on age appropriate independence and childhood freedoms, they're very important for development. I now have a very independent and capable teen.

Just read your update. Your DH is jealous of a dog! I mean wtf! You seem to have yourself a 3rd child.
Agree with pp. Ditch 3rd child, get a dog.

I was going to the shops on my own at that age, out of sight, nobody waiting..so we're my kids around that age. Totally appropriate.
Another vote for Dog in, 'D'H out..😅

I started sending mine to the shop down the road at that age.
In the few years since then, the only "bad" thing to happen was that the milk fridge was broken, so the milk had been put on the top shelf of the wine fridge and they had to ask for an adult to reach it for them.

I'm an adult and I sometimes have to ask an[other] adult to reach things on the top shelf for me!

That sort of thing is good for beginning to give children experience in dealing with something a bit unexpected, and asking for help when needed, so when they're a bit older they have the confidence to handle something like a bus or train being cancelled.

My 9 year old had been going to shops on his own for a year or so and also walks to school (as do all his friends). I can't see what possible issue there could be with a 9 year old walking into a shop on there own and buying something. If your DH doesn't want a dog then obviously your family can't have a dog but I don't know why he needs to make a drama about it

Completely fine.

At that age I used to let my dc walk to the local shop to buy ice lollies!

Sounds like your husband has it in for the dog and is projecting this by trying to claim that the dog is making you do things, that in fact are fine to do anyway. I mean if you had sent the kid into the shop while you went to the cash machine (rather than while you held the dog) would DH have even complained?!

I think 7 was when I let my son run up to the corner shop. I did watch them go up as far as the corner. No streets to cross.
At 9 they should be well capable!

Your husband sounds mental.

I'm surprised your DD has never been in a shop alone at 9.
Think you've bigger concerns with your arsehole of a DH.

From your update, its actually looking after the dog that is the issue, not that your daughter went into the shop?

Bit of a misleading opening post?

Your DH sounds like a lot of hard work. Another vote for ditching him in favour of a dog!

I sent DD to the shop to buy eggs when she was 6, she loved the responsibility. She couldn't find the eggs so she asked the shop worker, no problem. She did pick the most expensive eggs though

Weird reaction from your husband. I was going to the shop 15 walk away from home since the age of 6. My friend lets her kids run to the cafe next door to get hot chocolate, they are 4 and 6. Having said that, my ex partner gasped when I suggested I send his 14 year old to the local pharmacy to pick up his prescription.