Supermarkets and children.....?

Question

Ok I am on a "baby etiquette" streak.

I can't stand it when I am trying to do my shopping and here is a couple with thier obnixous children in the isles.

I can understand a single parent needing to bring thier children, but if there are two parents and several mis-behavied children do you really need to make the grocery trip a family affair?

Answer 1

Oh come on, it isn't a spa - it's a store. And believe it or not, the best way to teach kids how to behave in public is to actually bring them to a public place.

Answer 2

That's why when goin grocery shopping make sure kids have eat before and have sleep that way they will not be asking for everything and and if the 2 parents are going it should be easier, or rent the little special cars they have to seat 2 kids inside the store that way kids will not be running around.... There are some parents that do let them run in the isles, that's why PARENTS should have control of their kids not the other way around....So people like U that can't stand kids running around while shopping, can have a nice trip to the grocery store ...I believe you don't have kids hopefully when you do and go grocery shopping you will be able to control your kids, but in the mean while there is nothing U can do other than do your shopping when kids are at school or at mid nigth!!!

Answer 3

Yes, single parent or both parent families - all of them should take them to a supermarket. It is a great opportunity for kids to learn lots of things, hands on, without just being told about it. For example, the products for sale : which are good for you/or not - which is a good deal/or not etc. One of the best maths lessons they will get is at the check out. For example, say the bill comes out to some odd figure requiring coins and you don't have the exact change - although you might have some small change. What do you give the cashier to make change giving the easiest.

Children misbehave mostly because they are bored. Get them personally involved in the shopping by giving them responsibilities appropriate to their maturity level. Kids, from my experience will love it and bad behavior is no longer an issue.

Answer 4

I definitely agree with you about misbehaving children in the grocery store or public places in general. Personally I think it's a reflection on the lack of control many parents have over their children. As a single parent myself, I have to take my two-year-old everywhere I go and there are unfortunately times when he has his "melt downs" including in the store, because all kids do, but I definitely think it's unnecessary for the entire family to go shopping together when there's discipline issues. It's annoying to other people and also inconsiderate.

Answer 5

I agree with most on here-you will never teach your children how to behave in public if you do not take them out. You never know what another person's circumstances are. What if they mother is a non-working parent and the husband handles payment for everything? What if the husband doesn't trust his wife's spending habits? There are tons of reasons that those people with the "obnoxious" children have for doing their shopping together. But they don't HAVE to have a reason to take their entire family to the store because it is a public place.

Answer 6

I think with your question you will get a ton of answers.

I have 6 boys from 23 down to 4. I can tell you from experience when you do take your little one shopping with you it wares them out. Mind you it wears the parents out also.

In a lot of cases the family shopping trip is the only time the parents can have time all together with the family.

I see kids acting up all the time in the store and I smile, Thank God it's not my kids..:)

Kids learn very fast when and how to act out. They tend to do it in public to get something special to keep them quiet.

Answer 7

People just need to start disciplining their kids PERIOD!!! You should see what they do in the restaurant where I work!!! And No, I don't think that they need to shop alone so that one of them can babysit the kids... NO..THEY NEED TO DISCIPLINE THEM SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE THEM INTO PUBLIC AND THEM ACT LIKE CIVILIZED BEINGS!!!! I know, kids will be kids and I don't hate kids or anything either, I just hate it when parents don't do their job and then force the public to deal with the little demons they've created!!!!

Picture this, I am a server in a busy restaurant and some parents will actually let their kids run around the restaurant!!! We are carrying big, heavy trays full of piping hot food!!! I know that kids don't know any better, but for the love of God, don't their parents care if they get seriously hurt or burned???

Answer 8

Well, here is some in-site:

I was married with 2 children. Ages 4 and 2. My husband (he is now my ex husband) refused to take care of the kids. I had to take them everywhere. My kids were not always obnoxious. I admit, sometimes they were, because I tried to make up for their dad's lack of fathering.

While you are shopping, and see a mother with her kids,remember, she is stressed, the kids are tired, she has no help around the house. She needs empathy, not criticism.

I now work with low income families. I suggest they take their kids shopping with them, give their kids responsibilities at the grocery store, looking for milk or bread or approved cereal, to keep them busy at the store. Kids will eat what they help pick out and prepare.

I hope this helps, even if it wasn't the answer you were looking for.

Answer 9

Doesn't have to be a family affair! Shopping on-line... brilliant.
So what if there's a delivery charge! Still works out cheeper then driving or busing there. Also, no McD shite afterwards and no high sugar content sweets bought. Gives me time to bring my son to the park instead of wandering around staring at shelves!

Answer 10

This is why they put daycares into the supermarket. I was a single parent and as soon as they opened the daycares I started using them! If I had someone at home which I do now I would leave my daughter at home. Kids just distract you. I always forget things when I with anybody at the store. I also HATE those heely shoes and the fact that parents let the kids whiz around public places in those!!