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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why parents give their children food in supermarkets when it is not yet paid for?

535 replies

purplepeony · 21/12/2009 18:50

Do you?

is your child so hungry that you have to grab a frnech stick, break bits off and feed it to them then present the empty packet at the checkout?

Are mums so disorganised that they cannot feed teir child before they shop?

Are they keen to feed (ha!) the "I want it now" mentality?

It really annoys me when I see this going on, asit means kids grow up not being able to wait one second from asking to being given.

OP posts:
snice · 21/12/2009 18:51

I agree - but I am an old fart

Ewe · 21/12/2009 18:52

I need to go food shopping. I have a toddler. These two aren't a great combination but a little snack makes it easier for me, for her and the general shopping public. As long as you are paying for the food then I really don't see the problem.

YABU

Caz10 · 21/12/2009 18:52
Biscuit
TipsyFairydifferentID · 21/12/2009 18:52

Peony, do want a hard hat? I have a spare one.

FWIW, I agree with you.

SleighBelleDameSansMerci · 21/12/2009 18:52

I used to think exactly the same until I had my DD and have occasionally succumbed to this behaviour. I still hate it but I've done so can't be too hypocritical! It's more that she won't eat at home and I've left the house without anything for her. I can be that disorganised

mulledfruitshootandcheese · 21/12/2009 18:52

Mine used to have a apple while they were sitting in the trolley. sometimes the cashier would charge us for it at the end but mostly not.
I think its more to do with keeping the child distracted from grabbing at everything than not feeding them before they leave.

FolornHope · 21/12/2009 18:52

had htis thread before once
it went mental

moffat · 21/12/2009 18:53

I also agree but this is a very divisive issue.

Tizzyjacko · 21/12/2009 18:53

A whole french stick? Wow that was one hungry child.

i have handed over the odd breadstick myself, better than having a screaming toddler when you are trying to remeber what you are meant to be buying.

Obv i am very disorganised

But i think YABU

Original poster
purplepeony · 21/12/2009 18:53

well I have 2 DCs who are now in their 20s and you know what- they made it round the supermarket aisles with me every time without being fed en route!

OP posts:
SantaWears2SnowShoes · 21/12/2009 18:54

never got it myself, so yanbu
but then I am very old

FolornHope · 21/12/2009 18:54

bully for you.

clam · 21/12/2009 18:55

OK, so you're perfect.

We used to do this all the time. DH still does it - not for the kids (who are now 11 and 13) but for himself! Neither one of our DCs has a "I want it now" mentality.

YABU.

diddl · 21/12/2009 18:55

YANBU.
Have never done it.

yummyyummyyummy · 21/12/2009 18:56

Mine used to have a apple while they were sitting in the trolley. sometimes the cashier would charge us for it at the end but mostly not.

giving them food that is charged for by weight is IMO theft.How can tehy charge you when they don't know how much the brat has eaten

bellavita · 21/12/2009 18:57

As long as it has a bar code on and can be paid for at the end, then it is fine.

When I worked in Asda, I had a lovely lady come to my till - heavily pregnant. She said to me I am really sorry, but I just had to eat the grapes and presented me with the bag to tell her how much they cost. Of course, it went on weight and there was nothing in there..... She was mortified. I told her not to worry and the grapes were a gift!

Original poster
purplepeony · 21/12/2009 18:57

I am perfect.

But I also think it's a generational thing...
it never happened when my DCs were young- 20 years back and the 1st time I saw someone do it, I was horrified, TBH.

I would just never dream of giving anyone/using any item in a shop and paying for it afterwards. My overactive moral code equates it to shop lifting- though I accept that the intention to pay is there.

OP posts:
Annya · 21/12/2009 18:58

So what? It's not food from your trolley, you don't have to pay for it. It will get paid for at the end of the shop and the toddler is kept quiet and happy. Big deal.

skidoodle · 21/12/2009 18:59

Really, why the fuck do you care?

What has it got to do with you?

A toddler who can't wait one second from asking to being given is a lot less offensive than a grown woman who gets angry about harmless ways that other people behave and choices they make for their own children that are in no way your concern.

diddl · 21/12/2009 18:59

Over here you weigh things yourself before paying.
So you would take an apple out for your child after weighing, therefore paying for it?

Original poster
purplepeony · 21/12/2009 18:59

I care because I work in education and am sick of seeing the "I want it now" mentality!

OP posts:
FolornHope · 21/12/2009 19:00

oh you are too good to eb true

Awassailinglookingforanswers · 21/12/2009 19:00

my mum used to feed us stuff to keep us quiet while shopping (and then pay by presenting empty packet at till) - we're both in our 30's.

Haven't had to do it (yet) with the DS's.

pookabelle · 21/12/2009 19:00

If you are paying for the goods at the end I really don't see the problem. I used to do this with my dc occasionally, not really now they are slightly older. They definately are not 'I want it now'

YABU - and I often wonder how busy people have the time to think such thoughts about others while they are shopping anyway.

I too remember the thread a few years ago about grapes - hilarious

ilovemydogandmrobama · 21/12/2009 19:02

I do it all the time. What's the problem? I pay for it. It isn't shop lifting. And you are no more moral than I am if you pay for something beforehand or not....

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