Never - and if I was in a situation where my child HAD to eat or drink something - I'd go buy that item first (keep the receipt), and then continue with the rest of my shopping. I imagine if everyone was snacking at the grocery store, the grocery stores would aggresively ban that behavior.

I try not to consume anything that I haven't paid for yet. The only exception I'll make is sometimes I'll open something if I am already standing in the checkout line waiting, but even then, I rarely do this (maybe twice in 10 years?)

And, FYI, be careful...it's very easy to "forget" to pay for something on the way out and some stores have policies that can get out of hand. Check out this, that happened this week:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/pregnant-mom-arrested-at-safeway-and-loses-custody-of-toddler-over-sandwiches/2011/11/01/gIQApyrtcM_blog.html

I've done it at Target with string cheese. Just take one of them out and give it to him. Target shopping excursions take longer and sometimes its better than leaving a cart of stuff for the employees to deal with or having a screaming child.

Nope, never. I always have some snacks with me. And even if I don't I have already told my kids that we can't eat it until we pay for it. We have even gone as far as to just buy the snacks then go back and do the rest of the shopping.

I did a few times when I was desparate. I forgot the snack bag or misplaced it on my way out the door. When my daughter was very thirsty, I grabbed a bottle of cold water, opened and gave it to her and then put the opened, capped bottle on the checkout so I could pay. Same with some crackers. Shoot me. It was better than having her cry and whine the entire time we were in the grocery.

I have opened bottled water in the check out lane for my kids before.

Samples yes, all other foods at the store no.

sooooooooooooo tacky

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4yo and a 6yo and have never a single time done this. Obviously it's not the biggest deal in the world, but it's just not necessary and seems like not a great lesson for the kids. The other thread though said this is "common practice." True?

Do you let them wear clothes before paying for them? I have seen women, never men, give their children crackers or cookies, put the empty box on a shelf and not pay for them. Feed your children before taking them grocery shopping or don't take them.

Anonymous wrote:I always have snacks in my purse. I let my son eat the snacks in my purse and I am still afraid that someone is going to accuse me of shoplifting. I have a 17-month-old, he would eat all day if I let him.

I don't carry a purse and it's always the times I decide against bringing in the diaper bag or don't have anything in my coat pockets that the toddler is acting like I haven't fed him for three days.

Sometimes, if things take longer than planned and I don't want to run out to the car for a snack, I will open a box of whatever crackers I am buying and give the toddler one to keep him occupied while I finish up. Never with stuff that's not a unit price, though. I've also opened a bottle of tea or water for myself on rare occasions when I get halfway through the store and am totally parched or eaten a muffin when I've planned poorly and end up super hungry. I just tell the checkout person that I'm the one who opened whatever container and/or that I ate an additional item. I never plan to do this but it does happen every once in a while.

I always have snacks in my purse. I let my son eat the snacks in my purse and I am still afraid that someone is going to accuse me of shoplifting. I have a 17-month-old, he would eat all day if I let him.

I think we've done it once or twice. Box of crackers.

Sometimes. If I shop on a weekend morning with the kids, I will get them a donut to eat while we shop and then I pay for it when I check out. I don't see what the big deal is as long as I pay for it.

I have a 4yo and a 6yo and have never a single time done this. Obviously it's not the biggest deal in the world, but it's just not necessary and seems like not a great lesson for the kids. The other thread though said this is "common practice." True?