Allowing children to eat food in shops before paying for it

**helendee** · 24-11-2011, 10:29 AM

Just wondering if any of you let your mindees do the above?

Personally I always make them wait until we have paid for the items but I am well aware that my views are often considered to be old fashioned these days.

**jayjay1963** · 24-11-2011, 10:34 AM

I agree with you, in my mind it's theft and a definite NO! I never let my own do it and wouldn't allow it from mindees. It may be old fashioned but it's honest!

Jacqui

**helendee** · 24-11-2011, 10:36 AM

Thanks for your reply Jacqui

I am only 47 but often made to feel like a moaning old bat because I was brought up with very strong principles of right and wrong.

xx

**kellib** · 24-11-2011, 10:44 AM

I used to let my son do it, anything to keep him quiet in the shop, it's not theft as I always paid for things he ate!

**helendee** · 24-11-2011, 10:45 AM

Thanks for your reply Kelli x

**chez** · 24-11-2011, 10:46 AM

Im only 28 and definatly not, no child in our care is ever going to starve because they didnt get their snack before paying for it.

I really dislike seeing children tuck into items before they are paid for

**The Juggler** · 24-11-2011, 10:46 AM

i depends, if it was out of a large packet with the barcode on or the top of a baguette or a breadstick from a pack, then yes, if they are individual items (i.e. a single banana) or pack of sweets then no, as it can't be weighed anymore or correctly priced.

**kellib** · 24-11-2011, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by The Juggler

i depends, if it was out of a large packet with the barcode on or the top of a baguette or a breadstick from a pack, then yes, if they are individual items (i.e. a single banana) or pack of sweets then no, as it can't be weighed anymore or correctly priced.

Yeah that's how I always did it with my son, he wasn't allowed to eat individual grapes for example but he was allowed to eat a packet of apple slices as they could be scanned still.

I wouldn't let mindees do it as I don't know what their parents allow in that situation.

**Nature'sKids!** · 24-11-2011, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by The Juggler

i depends, if it was out of a large packet with the barcode on or the top of a baguette or a breadstick from a pack, then yes, if they are individual items (i.e. a single banana) or pack of sweets then no, as it can't be weighed anymore or correctly priced.

Yes, I do the same.
There's a choice: have your lo crying and you not "giving in" for the sake of rules your lo (I'm talking pre verbal toddlers here) won't understand and your lo ending up being so upset or angry that it starts to get to that point of embarrassment... Or give them an organic bar, smoothie, banana, box of raisins etc out of a multipack to keep everyone happy and to be able to shop in peace! The people at checkout have never commented - unless it was to offer to bin the empty wrapping. It's not theft, it's paid for.
When bf and / or pregnant I always get thirsty and sometimes my bottle of water is empty before I get home - if this is the case and I am seriously in need of a drink I will open the bottle before getting to the tills if I'm doing a big shop. It's either that or impending headaches and dizziness.

**RainbowMum** · 24-11-2011, 10:46 AM

I will give a box of raisins from a multipack, more so with my own children when they were little and i was doing a big shop - I would bring some from home when I had some. I would never give something that could not then be paid for at checkout - eg grapes by weight. Its not theft until you leave the shop without paying so I have no problem with it as long as the eaten item can be paid for.

**singingcactus** · 24-11-2011, 10:51 AM

No. It's just rude. There's no need for it. Another part of our modern 'get what we want the second we want it' culture. Won't kill a kid, or adult, to wait 5 minutes to pay for something. Wouldn't kill an adult to tell child to stop screaming or they won't get it at all either!

**miffy** · 24-11-2011, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by singingcactus

No. It's just rude. There's no need for it. Another part of our modern 'get what we want the second we want it' culture. Won't kill a kid, or adult, to wait 5 minutes to pay for something. Wouldn't kill an adult to tell child to stop screaming or they won't get it at all either!

You made me laugh, but I agree with you!

I must be a right tartar 'cos I don't even let the kids touch anything (unless we are buying it) let alone eat it!

Miffy xx

**rickysmiths** · 24-11-2011, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by singingcactus

No. It's just rude. There's no need for it. Another part of our modern 'get what we want the second we want it' culture. Won't kill a kid, or adult, to wait 5 minutes to pay for something. Wouldn't kill an adult to tell child to stop screaming or they won't get it at all either!

I agree absolutely! We would and a lot more children would be a lot better off if this happened as well.

What about all the snacks eaten and not paid for, well we are all paying aren't we. All the open empty packets you see as you go around. It is a very selfish instant gratification, attitude.

I teach all my mindees that it is stealing to eat something before you have paid for it.

Wasn't there a case recently where a mum was pulled up in a supermarket for letting her child eat a banana?

**jayjay1963** · 24-11-2011, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by helendee

Thanks for your reply Jacqui

I am only 47 but often made to feel like a moaning old bat because I was brought up with very strong principles of right and wrong.

xx

I'm 48 so we can be moaning old bats together LOL

Jacqui

**cupcake22** · 24-11-2011, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by jayjay1963

I'm 48 so we can be moaning old bats together LOL

Jacqui

I am 51 & I have joined your 'moaning old bats together club lol.

I never gave my own children stuff while we were out shopping & certainly wouldn't the minded ones either. I known the parents do but as I have never started it the little ones never ask.

Cupcake22

**rickysmiths** · 24-11-2011, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by cupcake22

I am 51 & I have joined your 'moaning old bats together club lol.

I never gave my own children stuff while we were out shopping & certainly wouldn't the minded ones either. I known the parents do but as I have never started it the little ones never ask.

Cupcake22

I am 56 and also one of the 'moaning old bats together club!'

I agree with you 100% Cupcake.

**keeks** · 26-11-2011, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by helendee

Just wondering if any of you let your mindees do the above?

Personally I always make them wait until we have paid for the items but I am well aware that my views are often considered to be old fashioned these days.

Oh dear, such and innocent questions seems to have stirred a lot of feelings!

I confess I haven't read all the posts, so reply is really only for the question above.

It would never occur to me to do so. I wonder if it is a cultural thing, being that I grew up in Sweden? I have sometimes seen people do this and the first time I was really shocked! How old fashioned am I???

xx