Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 19:26     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
I don't have a rule - sometimes I let them chill because they have two tough sports; sometimes they come with (so they can learn how to look people in the eye, ask for things and pay) and sometimes they do other things around the house.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 19:22     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
If it’s for them they're coming with. And if it’s for shoes they are 110% coming because all shoes run different plus teens grow too fast to be sure how they’ll fit.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 15:10     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Kid in question is 12, so unfortunately can't trade errands yet!


Yes you can. My DS is 12 and runs to the corner store for items we need.


Our nearest grocery store is 5 miles away, but ok.

The one that annoyed me most recently was needing markers for a project that night. I was lonely and made him come.


I think this is why specifics matter. I see it as my job to have basic school supplies on hand. Markers aren't special or unique - you'd assume anyone with children in the house would have a steady supply of markers, and if for some reason they're all dried out, it's not a big deal for me to run out and get them.

Now if they needed some sort of specific creative thing where they should be making the decision about what to get (what color/design boarder for a poster? what fabric for a project?) then yes, I'd make them come.
I almost always invite them to come with me if I'm running errands, and sometimes they come and sometimes they don't but I'm not going to drag them along in some sort of punishment for needing something when they literally can't get it on their own.


Huh. Interesting. We hadn't used markers in a few years, so of course we didn't have them on hand.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:46     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:Yes. They won't learn to "adult" in a vacuum.


+1
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:46     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Kid in question is 12, so unfortunately can't trade errands yet!


Yes you can. My DS is 12 and runs to the corner store for items we need.


To be fair, not everyone lives in walking or biking distance of a store. Some people live in really rural areas far from everything.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:44     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No! Why? Also don’t understand when people bring their partner (obviously I get it if both people want to go or it’s on the way to/from something else).


My teen will come with me to spend time together. Same with spouse. I try to leave my spouse at home though as he buys stuff we will never use. Am I the only one how likes spending time with my teen?


Enmeshed weirdo. You are supposed to hate your kids and avoid them at all costs.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:41     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
My kid is 11 and hasn’t ready asked for anything last minute. If I go to Target or something I give her the choice to come or not. Usually I go while she’s at school though.
I don’t think I’d force her to come on an errand even if it’s for something she needed.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:34     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Kid in question is 12, so unfortunately can't trade errands yet!


Yes you can. My DS is 12 and runs to the corner store for items we need.


Our nearest grocery store is 5 miles away, but ok.

The one that annoyed me most recently was needing markers for a project that night. I was lonely and made him come.


I think this is why specifics matter. I see it as my job to have basic school supplies on hand. Markers aren't special or unique - you'd assume anyone with children in the house would have a steady supply of markers, and if for some reason they're all dried out, it's not a big deal for me to run out and get them.

Now if they needed some sort of specific creative thing where they should be making the decision about what to get (what color/design boarder for a poster? what fabric for a project?) then yes, I'd make them come.
I almost always invite them to come with me if I'm running errands, and sometimes they come and sometimes they don't but I'm not going to drag them along in some sort of punishment for needing something when they literally can't get it on their own.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:15     Subject: Re:Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless they're legit busy at the time that I need to do it - if I have to do an errand FOR them, they have to come.


Me again - to clarify, I mean if it's something they want and they're *asking* me to do it for them.


OK last comment - I promise. But I am considering this THEIR errand and I'm just the ride, and possibly the payor - depending on what it is.


Specifics do matter though. My response differs based on the errand.

If they need last minute markers or poster board, I'd make them run in, while I wait in the car. I'm not their assistant just waiting for a task. If last minute items are going to be a hassle to me, they are going to also be a hassle for them.


Yes, ITA!

Whereas I signed up to bring napkins for my son tomorrow - I'll procure the napkins myself. It's his class but I signed up for it.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:14     Subject: Re:Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless they're legit busy at the time that I need to do it - if I have to do an errand FOR them, they have to come.


Me again - to clarify, I mean if it's something they want and they're *asking* me to do it for them.


OK last comment - I promise. But I am considering this THEIR errand and I'm just the ride, and possibly the payor - depending on what it is.


Specifics do matter though. My response differs based on the errand.

If they need last minute markers or poster board, I'd make them run in, while I wait in the car. I'm not their assistant just waiting for a task. If last minute items are going to be a hassle to me, they are going to also be a hassle for them.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:12     Subject: Re:Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless they're legit busy at the time that I need to do it - if I have to do an errand FOR them, they have to come.


Me again - to clarify, I mean if it's something they want and they're *asking* me to do it for them.


OK last comment - I promise. But I am considering this THEIR errand and I'm just the ride, and possibly the payor - depending on what it is.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:11     Subject: Re:Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:Unless they're legit busy at the time that I need to do it - if I have to do an errand FOR them, they have to come.


Me again - to clarify, I mean if it's something they want and they're *asking* me to do it for them.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:09     Subject: Re:Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Unless they're legit busy at the time that I need to do it - if I have to do an errand FOR them, they have to come.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:07     Subject: Re:Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:No.

I don’t make them grocery shop with me just because they eat the food.

That is insane I can’t drag along kids on every tiny errand pretending it’s a teaching moment.

Agreed.

Sad pp forces her kid to do things because shes lonely. Your kid is not responsible for your lack of friends.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2023 14:06     Subject: Do you make your kids go along for this kind of errand?
Anonymous wrote:No! Why? Also don’t understand when people bring their partner (obviously I get it if both people want to go or it’s on the way to/from something else).


My teen will come with me to spend time together. Same with spouse. I try to leave my spouse at home though as he buys stuff we will never use. Am I the only one how likes spending time with my teen?