Taking the Children Shopping

[Schnakes]

Hi,

I saw another thread on another board that had a really interesting debate, so I thought I would ask the same question here:

Do you take your minded children shopping? If so - why? If not, why not?!

I personally try to do my "big" shop online but Im certainly not above taking the little ones to the supermarket to get my fresh stuff at least once a week. There are children I would take and children I wouldnt also. My babies, for example, I would take. I have a three year old boy who I wouldnt take in a million years. And so on and so forth!

So - is it the epitome of all evil to the the little ones shopping, or is it interesting and educational??? Or maybe both??!

Sx

[Pipsqueak]

I take mine shopping. Obviously for my "big" shop I don;t that is done on personal time.

I think its a great educational and social opportunity to take children to the shops. I agree with you that there are some you do take and some you don;t but those children who are don'ts also need to learn why we do!

[angeldelight]

I take mine shopping for whatever reason be it educational or because I just do not get the time sometimes starting at 7 in the morning and finishing at 7 in the evening

We have great fun - sometimes !!!

Angel xx

[Schnakes]

Yeah - I do a 12 hour day too...all these parents on this other website were getting well snitty - all like "do it in your own time". I think....I dont have any "own time"!!!

Seriously though, I went to a conference in September and the person that did the main talks was Penny Tassioni (I think thats how you spell her name?!) and she was saying that it benefits children to be part of adults lives, rather than visa versa and I agree.

Sx

[Tily Bud]

I do take the minded children shopping - ive taken 4 under 4s before now with no problems ! One little girl I mind at the moment complains if we dont go to Tescos at some point in the week

Cheryl x

[Monkey1]

We always go! I have got special shopping list charts where we attatch pictures via velcro of the things that we need so the children can' help '

[carolinel]

I always try to think how would I feel if I was the parent and my child was with a childminder.

I wouldn't mind if it was occasionally ie once a week, to get a few bits, but if it was a few times a week then I wouldn't be happy.

so.........

I do take mindees to shops, but am only out for an absolute maximum of 2 hours.

I do know someone who took one of her mindees christmas shopping, which personally I think is wrong. To take a little child rounds shops for a day when it's freezing cold and really busy when they'd rather be at home with a jigsaw or doing some colouring etc.

[Blaze]

As above!
Tasha

[emler]

I've got no problem taking the kiddies shopping. I wouldn't do my "big" shop with them for practical reasons but they all love a trip to the shops

Emler x

[smartypants]

I take mine minded children shopping with me...

If we are doing arts/crafts OR cooking, i will take them to buy ingredients or crafts stuff!!

I take the basket round and the children help me find the things we need and put into basket, then help pack a few bits which are not heavy and take turns to pay to!!

The children really enjoy it and also learn about what we need to cook with !!!

I wouldn't take them weekly shopping as Paul does it for me as i hate it too Lol......

[sarah707]

My mindees come with me when we are looking for crafts or food for them to eat - we make a list together before we set off and they help me find things and pay at the end. Even the little ones help with smelling and choosing fruit and veg and they grow to enjoy the sensory experience.

I find it hard sometimes when they are used to mithering for sweets or chocolate, but a firm 'no' usually makes them realise I don't buy things like that, then we enjoy the rest of the trip.

I usually try and make time to visit the little cafe in the local supermarket for a drink at the end of our shopping trip - it rounds off the experience really well.

Don't do the main shop with any children... what a horrible idea! I wait til the mindees are all gone and mine are with their dad and do that in the evening.

[Spangles]

I would definitely take them shopping. One of the mum's I had come round to see me this week specifically wants her son to experience normal life and go shopping, to the library, etc.

I personally think it's one of the main advantages we have over nurseries, children get to experience normal day to day things.

I wouldn't take them for a big shop as I think that should be done on your own time but popping out for a few top up items is a learning experience for them - counting, colours, learning different foods, language and communication ...

Some people have weird ideas don't they!!

[lindylou]

Ofsted like you to take the children shopping as it promotes learning ie as sarah says counting smelling ect also they are learning about everyday life meeting people learning about what different people do in different jobs ie cashier shelf stacker store detective .
As all the other girls say you would use common sense and not do a big shop or take them out in adverse weather conditions .
Lindaxx

[susi513]

one mum collecting asked her ds what we had done that day, one mindee sadly told his mum "I had to go shopping" with an expression that might have gone well with having been locked in a cupboard all day. So I had to explain it wasn't my weekly shop - I had specifically gone to take him to fruit farm to choose what we would have for snack time (relatively new mindee at time so thought it would be a good way of finding out what he likes).

Another mum frequently tells me how she appreciates me more than her previous childminder as her previous childminder "was lovely, but always had to do her shopping and other chores" whereas I "do so much with the children".

My local Tesco is open 24 hours and I can order online so I have no need to do weekly shop with mindees. I don't think twice about going in local shops for odd bits with mindees though. Had a one year old on his own the other day and we only went in for bread but spent ages looking at various things on shelves. He's signing well & beginning to say lots of words so most enjoyable shopping I've done for ages!


When they ask for sweets/toys when we're out I used to ask them if they brought any money with them. When they said no, I would say, thats a shame cos I've not got enough either. My money is for (loaf of bread). Then after saying this to one child, the next day his mum dropped him off and put a couple of pounds on the counter "just in case we go anywhere he's got something to spend" !

[buildingblocks]

I take the children shopping with me as everything is a learning experience. I do not do a big shop with them as I do not drive so need hubby here for that but to be honest so long as I was involving them I don't see a problem. Take tonight after going to MacDonalds (bad childminder) for tea with a 4.5 and a 2.5, my mum and my hubby we are calling at Sainsburys to do a bit of shopping. S 2.5 holds the list and tells me what I need!!!!! L aged 4.5 helps get the items and put in trolley and is honestly more use than my hubby wull be. Both behave extremely well for me and not for mum in the supermarket.

but I do make a point of trying to make it a fun (I hate shopping) learning experience for them as much as possible.

[buildingblocks]

One little girl I mind at the moment complains if we dont go to Tescos at some point in the week Cheryl x

L aged 4 gets really excited when we go to Asda - strange child!!!!!!

[Sarsar3NCH]

The children need to learn how to wait nicely in a queue, about all the different varieties of food, asking a stranger (shop assistant) for help, how to pay/get change etc. If you have a child for many hours a week they can learn many valuable lessons about life from us as childminders. In this age of internet shopping etc some of them may not learn otherwise!

(I don't mean a 'big' shop)

Sarah

[fionamal]

I dont take them if its a "Big" shop but if its just for bits and pieces then yes I do take them and they help me to get whats needed and they have their own shopping lists as well.

Kids love it if you involve them.

[Pauline]

The children need to learn how to wait nicely in a queue, about all the different varieties of food, asking a stranger (shop assistant) for help, how to pay/get change etc. If you have a child for many hours a week they can learn many valuable lessons about life from us as childminders. In this age of internet shopping etc some of them may not learn otherwise!

(I don't mean a 'big' shop)

Sarah

Yes that's just what I was going to say.

Childminders are special because they off home from home type care with a variety of situations that you would not get in other types of day care.

As far as I'm concerned you should give them the same type of life as they would have if they were at home with mum or dad.

Before I became a childminder, I would take my kids shopping, do arts and crafts, have educational activities all with the added bonus of being able to take advantage of that sunny day for a trip to the park. It worked for them so that's how I treat the minded kids now.

They've all grown up to be well adjusted, clever individuals so why change a good formula?

[Cammie Doodle]

Well said Pauline