Why do whole families grocery-shop together?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny, I have been wondering the same thing as OP ever since I had children. I get it that sometimes you're out, but it strikes me as odd that someone happens to be out and then does their entire weekly shopping.

I don't really like grocery shopping, so maybe that's why I don't get it as a family outing. It sounds the opposite of relaxing to me. Maybe if I enjoyed it, I'd feel differently.

My children go to the grocery store sometimes, so they know about money, packaging, etc. Generally, I don't take them on the full weekly shopping. They are not really interested and I can get it over with faster alone.

I generally shop Monday or Tuesday evening around 9:00 (after the kids are in bed). It's less crowded and I can get in and out more quickly.

The thing I REALLY don't get is the entire family shopping at 9:00 or 10:00 at night with little kids who should have been in bed hours before.[/quote]

YES YES YES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll do one better..not only are we that family at the grocery store but we are the ones who let our preschoolers use those little carts. Does anyone else think those things are pure evil? My husband always thinks it is a grand idea and then we spend the entire time screaming down the aisles for them to slow down and not run into people. Lovely, heh?

Logistically for us, group trips make more sense. For whatever reason, DH is unable to grocery shop without an incredibly detailed list and even then he call me 18 times to confirm what to buy. I don't mind taking the kids on my own but I pick them up at school at 5pm. A grocery store trip puts us home at 6pm and cuts into play, homework, dinner, and get ready for bedtime too much. The store is a 15 minute drive from our house so if I go by myself on a weekend I am gone for about an hour. DH sees this as "fun free time" and then feels he deserves 5 hours doing something stupid on his own. So...we go on the weekend together usually after some activity like a sport class, birthday party, playdate, trip to a park. I shop while he chases the kids with the little carts but hey he was the idot who decided to let them get the carts.

I hate you. I saw you last weekend and my DD nearly threw a fit because she wanted a little cart. For the love of all that is good about parenting, leave the little carts at home!!