Should Parents Go Shopping With or Without Their Children?

I have 3 children, ages 9, 6, and 23 months. I can say it is very rare that I take the kids shopping with me anywhere. Money isn't my biggest concern, although I do tend to pick up a couple extra things, especially at the grocery store if I have the kids with me. It is just such a hassle to take kids along for a shopping trip! My two older ones seem to bicker a lot, arguing over everything, like what chips to get or which ice cream they can agree on. Anyone knows it is HARD to shop with a toddler, as they want to wander on foot, and keeping them contained in the shopping cart is difficult at times too. Then you have to pack a diaper bag and possibly have to stop 2 or 3 times in the store so someone can use the restroom or to change the baby's diaper. I seem to be much more on task shopping alone-or with my fiance-and no kids. LOL

Sometimes I love to bring my kid while on shopping because I want him to show and be in a crowded place for him not to be uneasy when on public. And it's fun and I love to be with my kids. But there are times that to be more easier for me to go on shopping I don't bring my kid.

hello Angelgirl16, For me, since our kids are already teenagers we need to bring them with us when go shopping. That way, we don't need to go back to the mall and have it exchange - that is a waste of time and effort. Buying what they really need and want is better than buying them what they don't like ending up of a waste. They will just put it in their closet or never wear them. Indeed it's much expensive but what matters is that they are wearing them.

I think it is better not to take kids for shopping until they reach their teens or cross their teens. Shopping malls here in my place are always crowded and kids get frustrated after a while and start throwing tantrums. I wouldn't blame the kids because they are simply bored. Another factor is kids start demanding for everything they see and you are forced to buy them at least half of what they demand or you should be prepared for thier "attention seeking" behavior these kids attempt in public. I feel the kids should be left at someone's cae so that you can freely and comfortably shop - You can even save a lot of time, i believe :)

Hi, MY idea on this was parents should take them out.Bcz from childhood they should know what is happening out.Means Everything like shoping or Meetings or parties. Bcz they can meet different kind of people and they will understand other nature also. WE SHOULD LIVE CHILDREN IN CLOSED DOORS BCZ THEY FEEL THEY ARE IN PRISON AND SUDDENLY IF WE RELEASE THEM THEY DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS WHAT???? SO I PREFER PARENTS TO TAKE CHILDREN WITH THEM

for me personally I think my parents would prefer to go to shopping without me and my sister.because as I recall when I in my childhood time ,I will get angry and crying all day long if they didn't give me permission to buy something that I want. But right now,,is kind of weird if I still angry and crying all day long for only get what I want. I understand that my parents have their limitation to spend money every month and also they have something that are more important to buy and to pay.

Ideally they should not come but during school holidays we don’t have that much of a choice! Having a lot to shop for such as groceries etc I would have to say having even one kid with you makes the whole exercise more stressful and expensive! Having said that my seven year old daughter and I have enjoyed many mother and daughter shopping trips followed by nice lunches which were a lot of fun!

When we were growing up (not that long ago) mom would save money all summer and then we went school clothes and supply shopping. We each knew how much money we had to spend and how many pairs of pants and shirts that it had better get us. She always took us because we had such differing tastes. At the same time we never had to wear uniforms. Now my neices and nephew go to the same schools and uniforms are required. If it was me that was shoping I would have my husband follow me in his truck when I took them to make sure I had the right size and then I would send them all with the hubby to go get lunch and I would shop without them. They do not get to have an option about it so why should they be there to whine about it. For kids with out uniforms I would take them unless they proved to me that they were unable to bring their manners into public. I would not however give into the latest fashions, there is no reason to pay that much for clothes. I also think it is important for children to know that they have a budget and to stick to it. The one thing that I do spend money on is a good pair of shoes. I also think that parents should NOT feel guilty if they do not take their children with them, after all, as a parent you know not only how your children are going to act but also if they have any sense of responsibility or money sense and there is no use arguing with a child (no matter the age) if they are not the ones buying the clothes.

Hi.Taking children with parents when they go for shopping is a very crucial task.It all depends upon the type of children we have.Some children listen to their parents but some are very naughty.They won't listen until they will get the thing they want.When my case is considered my parents always took me and my sisters whenever they go for shopping.I never ask that i want this or that.But my neices and nephew are very naughty and stabourn.Daily while coming from school he demands choclates,icecreams..If not bought that choclate then he will do hungama.If we took children to shopping or anything else it will be little bit time waste also because we have to look after them there.But sometimes my sister take his son when she go for shopping provided his husband is with her.

i think it depends about the age of the children. if they are too young to understand the discipline of buying... (difference between wants and needs) better leave them when your in shopping. But sometimes if you feel like you have enough money more than your budget. shopping is one way of bonding with your children just make sure to explain to them the certain amount allotted for them as your treat so they could choose once in a while things they really want and deserve. with this, they would understand that your not just treating them as more burden for shopping.. but they understand that if leaving them once in a while you are in shopping is the time of tight budget but you never forget them when you have some extras. plus they will learn to budget, to be patience in waiting and to exercise their decision making.

When I was young,my mother would took us shopping. I like shopping,but I would not ask my mother buy the expensive things. I think I would take my children to shopping as well. But only buy the suitable thing for them. They should lean how to control herself/himself when they were a children.^0^

My daughter is only 7 months so she goes everywhere with me including shopping but i think as she gets older i wont take her with me all of the time purely for the ease factor.It takes hours to do your weekly shop at the supermarket with small children in tow so i would rather leave them with a sitter whilst i did that kind of shop. Other shopping i would happily take my children with me, it gets them out of the house and is something to do.

I always took my daughter with me when we went shopping for her school supplies and clothes. She had to use them or wear them all year, so I wanted them to be things that she would like. Also, it was easier to get clothes that fit her when she was there to try them on. I never had a problem with her demanding expensive brand name things, though. If she wanted something that was expensive, then I would explain that she could either have that one thing or several other items that were less expensive. It was her choice, but I told her not to complain about not having enough clothes if she chose the more expensive item. I guess I was really lucky, because I never had a problem with her choices. If the parents have a limited budget and end up spending too much when they take the kids, then they need to do whatever is best for the family. I think that kids understand the value of money better if they are given a spending limit and have to chose within that limit. However, this may not work for everyone, and the parents shouldn't feel guilt about doing what is best for the family.

we make an issue of going on our own food shopping because the kids are all looking in the isles and asking for stuff that you can`t afford so we go together and buy the same things every week and keep the cost down so if they want extra in the week they buy it themselves or its a treat. I dont feel guilty for this

Hi there! I don't have kids yet but I have a nephew and if I'm going shopping for my nephew then I would like to bring him along. After all, buying him something is the reason why I will go shopping so I like him to be choosing what he likes. But if I'm shopping for myself or for stuffs in the house, I wouldn't be bringing kids with me. It's hard to bring kids when you go shopping and buying them something isn't in the budget. You tend to buy more than what you really need. It's also a hassle to be bringing kids when you're in a hurry to finish shopping. I don't think parents should be guilty to go shopping without their children. If it's because of financial reasons it's not bad to be frugal. You're just saving money from buying things children don't really need. Ciao!

Well when going grocery shopping I would try to leave the kids at home. When they were younger I would clothes shop for them on my own and purchase what I thought would be appropriate. As they grew older and got into middle school I would take them with me clothes shopping. If I am out by myself and I see something that I think they would like that is on sale I try to call them to verify if they would like it and send a pic if possible but if I cannot get in touch with them I will just buy it for them now.

I take my two boys with me when shopping for shoes as they have to try them on. If I am food shopping, I will take them with me if I have to but do spend more money on the way around the store. The stores definately put junk at eye level for children and I normally end up buying it to keep the peace. I tend to try and do a shop without the kids though as I can do it in half the time and in peace! I dont think you should feel guilty if you do not take them, you are still a person after all and sometimes you just need to be alone even if it is to shop!