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

Does it need 7 people (3 adults and 4 kids) to do a food shop?

130 replies

rhomb · 23/12/2025 18:31

Braved today at 7am. Saw entire families shopping. One example was two parents, 4 DC and one of the parents’ DM. Kids were, guessing between 4-12.

Why couldn’t at least one of the adults stayed at home looking after the kids? Two were bored (think being dragged out of bed didn’t help them) and the other two were demanding “can we have this?”.

Please keep shopping numbers to a minimum. It will help you, other shoppers and staff.

OP posts:
Pineappleice43 · 23/12/2025 18:51

Mind your own business

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 23/12/2025 18:52

tiredofchristmas · 23/12/2025 18:45

My other half was working so I had to take 2 toddlers with me. If you think I did it for fun you are very much mistaken!

That's hardly the same thing as the OP is complaining about though is it?

Caterina99 · 23/12/2025 18:53

Rather them than me!

DH was off today so I managed to escape and do the shop alone in peace (well in peace is pushing it, but at least the car journey was peaceful) It was pretty busy so I’m glad I didn’t have the kids with me too making me even more stressed

Bitzee · 23/12/2025 18:55

As a parent it would be my first choice to drag the kids round the supermarket but when I worked in a supermarket I couldn’t care less who came with who, probably didn’t even notice unless they asked if the toddler could use the staff loo or something specific to draw attention. It’s a bit odd that you care so much. And who knows maybe there was a good reason for it like they were doing the shop en route to Granny’s or they had separate bits to do in town later but share the car…

Screamingabdabz · 23/12/2025 18:55

I agree with you op. Especially given the madness in supermarkets right now. But people are increasingly inconsiderate and selfish so it’s just what we’ve come to expect. Their wants and needs come before anybody else’s.

Oioiqueen · 23/12/2025 18:56

Honestly I don't go into shops at this time of year. I hate it and find it stressful on my own let alone with others. As a result I couldn't care less what other families do. If it brings them joy to do it all together then so be it.

Mummy2mybear · 23/12/2025 18:57

I would not have noticed and its not something that would bother me in the slightest if I did.

Mumneedstea · 23/12/2025 18:59

Oh you're not going to like me then! We never grocery shop together except for Christmas! We have our MnS slot booked for tomorrow midday and all 4 of us (2 adults and 2 DC) will be there. We love picking out extra bits for Christmas day 😊

BurntBroccoli · 23/12/2025 18:59

Yes it drives me mad! It’s bad enough when there’s just a couple and one of them (usually the man) just stands there completely blocking the aisle.

23doorsdown · 23/12/2025 18:59

Bah humbug, it doesn’t bother me & I think it’s fine for dc to experience. I haven’t done the food shop with my dc this year but did pick up some milk & bread on the way back from swimming with them.

ShiftingSand · 23/12/2025 19:00

I was shopping at 7.30am too and fine, bring your kids but discussing favourite foods etc for quite a long time in front of the cheeses is a bit boring when I want to pick up and go😂 I didn’t have the patience to take my kids shopping when they were small as I just wanted to get round quickly and leave. Also noticed a teen with his mum looking distinctly unhappy, wearing headphones. Presumably he was there to help her but guess it had been a struggle to get out of bed for the trip.

ACatNamedRobin · 23/12/2025 19:00

lazyarse123 · 23/12/2025 18:47

Although i do have to say i went in Aldi today alone, bloody milk carton we bought yesterday had split. There was a dad with two kids the girl was about 10 and putting stuff in the trolley and the dad shouted at her "just get the cheesecake stuff and put the rest of this shit back". I thought that was awful and really wanted to say something but what would have happened if i had? If he couldn't cope he should have gone alone. Being stressed is no excuse either.

Edited

@lazyarse123

what’s the big deal with what he’d said? “Shit” is not great but pretty sure the kid will have heard that already from lots of sources.

23doorsdown · 23/12/2025 19:00

But people are increasingly inconsiderate and selfish so it’s just what we’ve come to expect. Their wants and needs come before anybody else’s.

lol

soupyspoon · 23/12/2025 19:01

ACatNamedRobin · 23/12/2025 19:00

@lazyarse123

what’s the big deal with what he’d said? “Shit” is not great but pretty sure the kid will have heard that already from lots of sources.

Show quote history

Exactly this, its fairly standard!!!

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 23/12/2025 19:03

This is a bug bear of mine even on an ordinary day. Cluttering up the aisles, bored screaming kids, other adult not interested in parenting them. Me, trying to get around and dodge them and praying to god they don’t follow me to the next aisle.
This is why mobile phones were invented ‘hi dh, do you want me to get more gin or wine?’

Goldeh · 23/12/2025 19:03

Screamingabdabz · 23/12/2025 18:55

I agree with you op. Especially given the madness in supermarkets right now. But people are increasingly inconsiderate and selfish so it’s just what we’ve come to expect. Their wants and needs come before anybody else’s.

Only on Mumsnet could it be considered selfish to take children to a supermarket 😂

Notdanishsusan · 23/12/2025 19:03

I always think this when both parents attend classmates birthday parties! But more of a ‘why would you?’ than you shouldn’t.

We like the occasional all go and choose something from the supermarket trip because we usually get it all delivered.

Goldeh · 23/12/2025 19:10

We went to the supermarket en masse this morning, three adults and four DC. Teenagers were sent around with granny to push her trolley and do any lifting. DH was there to do the same for me. Other DC stayed with us and took it in turns to fetch things and tick off the list. It's part of Christmas tradition, they enjoy throwing treats in the trolley and feeling helpful, and they get given a tenner to go buy each other a little gift too.

We were parked, in, shopped, and out within 90 minutes. My DC are well-behaved in the shops, they don't scream, they don't run around, and they help. Maybe it's because I've always taken them with me so they've learned how...?

Travelfairy · 23/12/2025 19:14

Noticed this in Tesco today. A couple with 3 kids. One baby crying, one about 5 throwing around packets of baby wipes, older one complaining. I cannot understand why one parent didnt stay home and let one parent shop. It wasnt a huge shop either but clearly a huge ordeal bringing the 3 out. Its not fun for kids, flu cases very high, shops rammed as it is, do your bit and keep it to a minimum. As someone else said, its not a team sport!!

Moonlightfrog · 23/12/2025 19:15

I agree with OP. I have never taken my dc to do the food shop, though mine wouldn’t cope as they are autistic. I don’t understand why it has to be a family event. I hate going to supermarkets near Christmas, kids getting in the way, people stopping for a chat in the isle, people coughing and kids with snotty noses. This is why I do a online shop.

LunaDeBallona · 23/12/2025 19:15

I won’t deny it drives me mad too.
Nearly as mad as the couples of a certain age who have a trolly that ends up with 5 things in it, who must walk side by side then who have a huge conversation in front of a fridge/bread/ deciding what to get then getting NOTHING.
How I kept my patience yesterday in M&S was beyond me.
It’s not the fact that they (older couples, parents with kids) go together it’s their utter blindness to the fact that there are other people who are shopping too who don’t think your kids are cute or who want to try and remember who they were on holiday with the first time they ate a green olive 🫒.
It would just be nice if they were all a bit more aware.

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 23/12/2025 19:16

I try my absolute hardest not to take DS to the supermarket as he's autistic and gets overwhelmed. If DH is home or one of my teenagers is then I shop alone.
I always wonder about the families that shop together, just why? Obviously some kids do enjoy it but you often see a mum looking harassed, dad looking bored and kids either demanding stuff or running off or screaming. I don't care, it's not my family but why go out of your way to make life harder for yourself?

00Platinum · 23/12/2025 19:17

HeadyLamarr · 23/12/2025 18:34

Why care? It's no skin off my nose if someone treats a trip to Aldi like a family outing.

yes, but not days before Christmas though! Otherwise I’d agree, there’s nothing wrong with going food shopping together.

Travelfairy · 23/12/2025 19:18

Notdanishsusan · 23/12/2025 19:03

I always think this when both parents attend classmates birthday parties! But more of a ‘why would you?’ than you shouldn’t.

We like the occasional all go and choose something from the supermarket trip because we usually get it all delivered.

Never understand this either! We just wouldn't have the time for this for a start...are they looking for something to do?? I find its so odd

00Platinum · 23/12/2025 19:19

Notdanishsusan · 23/12/2025 19:03

I always think this when both parents attend classmates birthday parties! But more of a ‘why would you?’ than you shouldn’t.

We like the occasional all go and choose something from the supermarket trip because we usually get it all delivered.

Watching your child play and talking with other parents is more fun as a couple, though. It’s not like most people have impromptu learning law for 90 mins - 2 hours, so probably would just be at home otherwise.