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Original poster

Ask your kids to come straight home...

115 replies

EsquireFuss · 09/03/2021 13:10

I work in a small local shop and while there are no schools nearby, our location means that people pass us en masse on their way home.

Yesterday, with the kids back at school, between 3pm and 6pm, many groups of children descended to buy sweets and pop and crisps. No masks. And while I'm quite happy to insist obvious older children wear them - we still have many primary school children coming in with their friends.

So, my personal plea, please ask your children to come straight home, cos I'd really like to see my mum and dad this year. Wink

OP posts:
mollypuss1 · 09/03/2021 14:43

This isn’t real

SummerHouse · 09/03/2021 14:49

All this chat has made me want a snickers.

Fembot123 · 09/03/2021 14:52

@Fuckadoodledoooo

A year ago, this thread would have gone the opposite way.

How things change.

With information comes change, yes.
Fembot123 · 09/03/2021 14:53

@EnglishRose1320

Surely this is a valid point. We are still in a lockdown and should only be going to the shops for essential purposes. My son knows when he walks home if his friend is going into the shop for something, he isn't to go in as well, he doesn't need to, it would be an extra person in the shop for no reason. My eldest son has ASD and sometimes feels completely trapped at home, gets restless, pre pandemic he would ask to walk to the shop to get a snack, he needs a purpose to walk, can't just walk for walkings sake. Currently he knows and accepts that he can't do that, I get all the snacks all the weekly shop.
Poor kid.
activitythree · 09/03/2021 15:04

@EnglishRose1320

Surely this is a valid point. We are still in a lockdown and should only be going to the shops for essential purposes. My son knows when he walks home if his friend is going into the shop for something, he isn't to go in as well, he doesn't need to, it would be an extra person in the shop for no reason. My eldest son has ASD and sometimes feels completely trapped at home, gets restless, pre pandemic he would ask to walk to the shop to get a snack, he needs a purpose to walk, can't just walk for walkings sake. Currently he knows and accepts that he can't do that, I get all the snacks all the weekly shop.

Surely you should be able to understand your child's mental health here?

ZNation · 09/03/2021 15:05

Teens have as much right as other people to go in a shop to buy something!

MadamMiddle · 09/03/2021 15:06

You're right, kids should be coming straight home we are still in lockdown. It's unnecessary for them to be going to a shop after school for crisps and fizzy drinks anyway, touching everything in store. But like pp said many parents are happy to palm their kids off and will take an extra 10 mins without them. Just because shops are open, doesn't mean children should be using them unnecessarily.
A lot of shop assistants have no control over who and how many comes in, so yes it should be the parents responsibility.

TheOrigRights · 09/03/2021 15:07

I know this isn't the point of the thread, but it made me so sad today to listen to my nearly 12 year old say that all he wants to do is stay in town after school with his mates, have a bit of money to get a snack and kick a ball about or something.

He's not had a normal day since he started secondary. I know it's the same for all of them, it just brought it home to me.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 09/03/2021 15:07

Totally get you OP.

I wish people would stop buying bloody houses! I mean, i'd lose my job and not be able to pay my rent but at least I can STFAH more effectively when I've no job to go to.

Lastbonestanding · 09/03/2021 15:09

No, kids need to socialise. They have given up way too much already.

NoSquirrels · 09/03/2021 15:13

Any small shop near us limits customers at the moment - and usually schoolchildren at all times aren’t allowed in groups. Same old same old.

If they’re old enough to be walking home alone, they’re old enough to wear a mask in a shop.

OP, ask your employer to clarify the rules of your work environment.

I don’t think it’s massively unreasonable for kids to buy a can of drink or a bag of crisps on the way home, provided they wear a mask, respect the rules of the shop and pay like the rest of us.

LST · 09/03/2021 15:16

Ha wow! This is a new one.

Whatalottachocca · 09/03/2021 15:16

They’re children, doing what children should be doing. Be happy for them and if you don’t like it, find another job. 😉

Madmog · 09/03/2021 15:25

Speak to your employer. Mine have been very protective with regards to covid safety for staff - apparently they don't want to be in a position where we can sue them! They are actually happy for us to request 2m distance if we feel we need it, even if both us and customers are wearing masks. Have to say I do ask anyone not wearing a mask, or wearing one incorrectly to give me a bit more space if I can't step backwards. I know children are less likely to catch/transmit covid, but I know ones aged 4, 5, 6 and who've caught it, so you have to do what you feel is right, with your employers agreement of course.

ThatsGoodCakeLove · 09/03/2021 15:40

Oh god. Happy, healthy children going into shops with one another. How terrible.
Just incase they've bought all the biscuits Biscuit.

1forAll74 · 09/03/2021 15:42

Maybe advise the many children who come in, that it is bad and unhealthy to eat crisps, sweets and chocolate and fizzy drinks, so you won't serve them. and they will have to go elsewhere !

MoriParty · 09/03/2021 15:48

A year ago, this thread would have gone the opposite way.

How things change.
So much change. We even have vaccinations now. Remarkable how things keep changing.

miserablecat · 09/03/2021 15:52

The nearest shops to the school when I was a teen (in the 1990s, so way before covid!) had signs limiting how many school children were allowed in the shop at one time. (I think it was actually to try to prevent kids nicking things!)
...although there was never anyone actually enforcing the rule.

purplebagladylovesgin · 09/03/2021 15:53

The good news is primary school children under the age of about 10 have immature ACE receptors in the lungs. This means they are much less likely to contract covid.

Older children can be asked to wear masks on entering. Are you able to put signs up to ask secondary school children to wear masks?

I second the poster who said if they are old enough to be walking home from school alone they are old enough to wear masks. You'll be able to tell from the uniform if they are first school or secondary school.

Secondary school children all have masks anyway as it's a requirement for being in school at the moment.

Fembot123 · 09/03/2021 16:09

@MadamMiddle

You're right, kids should be coming straight home we are still in lockdown. It's unnecessary for them to be going to a shop after school for crisps and fizzy drinks anyway, touching everything in store. But like pp said many parents are happy to palm their kids off and will take an extra 10 mins without them. Just because shops are open, doesn't mean children should be using them unnecessarily. A lot of shop assistants have no control over who and how many comes in, so yes it should be the parents responsibility.
😂😂😂Biscuit
Fembot123 · 09/03/2021 16:10

God, can you all not send your kids back to school, I don’t want to deal with them all 😛

Magnificentmug12 · 09/03/2021 16:12

You have got to be kidding me- this is not only the stupidest post I’ve ever come across on mumsnet but the most out of touch one too!

Get a life and change jobs-

I can’t believe you was so silly to post this- I mean really!?

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 09/03/2021 16:15

@IHaveBrilloHair

Oh no people buying things in a shop. Whatever next.
Adults with masks are one thing, kids en masse, without masks, are quite another!
supersonicginandtonic · 09/03/2021 16:16

@EnglishRose1320 why can't your son walk to the shop to get snacks? That's not against the law. Let your child go for a walk ffs! They don't exactly have much else at the minute do they.

LindaEllen · 09/03/2021 16:16

You've had a bit of a battering here, and I think that's unfair.

People seem to think covid is over, but actually we should still only be going to the shops when it's essential, and shouldn't be mixing in groups. Just because children go to school together doesn't mean they're not included in the rule.

My stepson walked home yesterday and it turns out he'd been to town with his mates and been to the park. Sitting around messing about etc. Not distanced, about 8 of them.

If we EVER want to get out of this mess we need to stick to the rules.

Kids don't need to go and buy junk food after school.

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