Also I do think that the cashier as a staff member of this store has all the rights to express her opinion when it is in line with the stores policy. Stores do have to protect themselves as there are a lot on dishonest people and a lot of theft does occur.

Although I understand the mum’s motives totally I do think she is in the wrong; until you have paid for an item is rightfully isn’t yours. By introducing this principle to your children from the start you make this boundary clear. By allowing your kids to use items before they have been paid you make this boundary unclear. You can prepare yourself to bring foods with you what your child will eat.

I can see both sides and I will be honest and say that I did this with my kids also.
I guess from the stores point of view you do not own the products just because you put them in the trolley so you are allowing your child to consume something that is not yours.

I’ve done this a few times with my kids and it was never an issue. These days the major supermarkets have a basket of free fruit at the front of the store for kids to eat while you’re shopping, so we always use that. If there’s nothing in the basket and my kids want something, I get them to ask a worker in the produce section and we’ve always been told yes, it’s fine to get an apple or something to eat.
I think as long as you’re paying for it, does it really make much difference?

So…… you want to be thanked for paying something your kid already half ate? ! No, sorry, regardless of what the cashier said or how she said it, the basic premise of shopping at the supermarket is you pay then you eat. You were wrong. Cashier probably should have kept her opinion to herself, but she’s probably fed up of being handed half eaten packaging! Also, hello, has covid taught you nothing?! Please dont throw shade on the majority who do the right , polite thing and pay before they consume.

I never did this with my children and don’t see any reason to let children eat while in a shop. It gives the wrong message in many ways.

I used to let my boys eat while walking around the shops and they knew to put the product in the trolley when finished with. I was never told off. All I ever got from the cashiers was a thank you for actually paying for something that had already been consumed. I wouldn’t let them do it just because they wanted it or would throw a tantrum though. I believe the cashier didn’t have the right to say anything since it was paid for in the end.

What a society we live in. How dare she be ‘judged’ for illegal theft of their product.

I don’t see the issue, as long as you pay for it, who cares? I’ve opened bottles of water when I’ve been dying of thirst. Maybe in future, go through self serve.

When my kids needed to eat something whilst shopping, I simply packed something in my bag and they weren’t given a different choice than what i brought with me.

I think it’s wrong. Go to the checkout and pay for it first. It’s a bad example to set for kids otherwise. What if the child suddenly needs a toilet break and you have to leave the store.

Absolutely I do this. As long as I pay for it why does it matter.

I use to always do it, and make sure I pay for it when at the checkout. Never once was I questioned or made to feel bad. Now that my youngest is almost 5 he doesn’t need to eat while we shop but he gets a thrill out of passing his treats to the cashier or scanning his own at the self serve register.

Better to feed a child than have them crying or screaming loudly in any supermarket. At least she paid. Next time she could have some wipes with her so the cashier feels some hygiene has been adhered to, especially when this child had been sick for a week and not eaten much.

Feed your child is great the supermarkets are stealing our money every day . You think they care about us . Just pay your bill and eat away as I have done for years.

I have never and would never do this. I can totally get where the checkout operator was coming from.

I can totally see where the cashier is coming from. So many people eat and don’t pay, this lady is definitely in the minority. People no longer trust people because of people that destroy that trust

None of the cashiers business. The items were put up for scanning, end of argument. I have done this previously for my children and always put the finished items for scanning. I NEVER received any judgement, just a thanks for being honest.

I can see both sides here. I’ve maybe even done this one myself. There is really no harm done so long as you’re honest and still pay. However, there would be a lot of people who wouldn’t be honest and dump the evidence around the store. No one, especially an employee of the store, has the right to judge, especially when she was doing the right thing.

You don’t see adults eating as they go around the supermarket, children shouldn’t be taught they can. My answer is a firm no. Do not encourage this behaviour. Great time for talking, education, about shopping, prices/numbers, what we will cook/bake/make, looking for colours…

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 16 Jan 2024 , 8:08 am

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  I agree, not behaviour we should encourage or instill in our kids

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    • • mom468034 replied
      • 23 Jan 2024 , 9:21 am

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    Agree!