Why do parents take their children to supermarkets?

Question

To smack them?

Answer 1

Because that is how they take care of their kids. You go to supermarket for some family bonding, once in a while, after long day or week of work.

Didn't you like it when your mom brings you to the supermarket when you were a kid?

Answer 2

They probably take them to the supermarket because they need to do some shopping and it's illegal to lock the kids in the house.

Why do they smack them? Because when the kids kick up a fuss, there are so many people staring and tut-tutting that Mum loses her nerve.

Answer 3

Well, a lot of kids these days are brats. And a lot of parents HAVE to bring their kids everywhere because they don't want to leave them alone. Granted, I think hitting a child is messed up, but people do it.

Answer 4

I don't know but once a kid was so disruptive people actually left the store, left shopping carts and took off. Not much mgmt can do though, but this kid was non stop screaming (not crying) for a full 30 minutes. Everyone was ready to kill the little beast.

Answer 5

I like how you phrase this question. It kind of makes me laugh because I know what you mean.

I'm sure that the parents don't intend to smack their children but it seems inevitable. It's because these parents are lazy and can't be bothered to really discipline their children properly and fairly.

Answer 6

Yes, thats exactly why I go to the supermarket.....not to buy food for my family....just so I'll have a public display of me disciplining my child!!!  um no....

I understand your concern, because there are a few parents out there who take discipline to a whole other level, almost to the verge of abuse.  But also as a single mother, I understand the need to take my kid to the grocery with me.  Personally I like taking my child because we can spend some QT searching thru the store and picking out our favorite foods.

Answer 7

they get bored of doin it at home! ha

Answer 8

kids love going to the supermarket with their parents and i know they play up and have tantrums but that is just kids for you. when you take your kids anywhere its always a risk of a tantrum does it mean you should leave your kids at home all the time? that would be selfish. if a parent gives their kids a little smack on the legs for tantrums its nobody's business as long as they are not battering them. for all the people who can't stand having kids around the supermarket there is only one thing i have to say to you.  TOUGH!!!

Answer 9

I don't know why some do, but I don't smack my children. I think that's mean. 2D

Answer 10

Good question! I can answer it with another question.......why do parents take babies on holiday with them to hot countries? Is it to deliberately annoy other air passengers with their screaming as the pressurised cabin hurts their ears? Or is it to annoy other hotel guests around the pool as they scream their heads off because the weather's too hot?

Answer 11

#1 No one is going to hire a babysitter JUST so they can go to the supermarket.

#2 The kids see stuff they want like a bag of candy or chips, toy etc. The kid screams and begs for it. The parent says no. The kid throws a tantrum and gets smacked by the parent.

Answer 12

ha ha, you wait till you have kids. smacking is not on, but kids drive you crazy because you are there to buy certain things and the kids are picking everything they like and putting them in the trolley or even opening them and eating them in the store. then they throw a tantrum when you say no. ideally it's best not to take them but as you will find out when you have kids yourself people do not particularly want to look after other people's kids.

Answer 13

I find it easier than smacking them at home, the supermarket I use has really wide isle so there is plenty of room to swing the stick that I use.

Answer 14

huh?

No! maybe because they don't have anybody to watch them, or they just like taking them along.

Answer 15

Haha.  Some people don't have a babysitter or can't afford one... so wherever they go, the kids go too.  It's a joke when I see parents trying to bribe their brat with ice cream.  "Johnny if you stop beating the old lady over her head with that can of beans, you can get soft serve"  like WTF.

Anyway,  My parents taught us MANNERS - and if we ever got out of line, my Dad would make a face where his lips got tight and we knew that meant "WHEN WE GET HOME...." so we wouldn't ever even need to be smacked in public!  Right now, my own son is an infant so we have no issues. ;)

Answer 16

I don't "smack" my kids in the store, I taught them some manners way back when it was important.

Answer 17

Because they're too stupid to be parents.

They're putting on a false front and all the while claiming at how great they are at parenting.

We were able to teach our kids not to whine, scream, or grab things and we didn't have to hit at all. We have taught them manners and kindness. A lot more than I learned from my parents.

Answer 18

lmao.  they probably thought their kid would behave.

Answer 19

i never smacked my daughter in the supermarket. i just used to give her the evil eye and she knew, shed get a good telling off outside ha!

Answer 20

Thank you! i have been saying that for years!.....add to that list, shops in general, pubs, cafes, restaurants.....and generally anywhere that adults are!

Answer 21

maybe they have no baby sitter?

Maybe they have no money to pay for a baby sitter!

Maybe they are too attached to their child and can't let go of them!

Maybe they want to teach them how to act.

Maybe they just want to annoy you!!!

Maybe Maybe Maybe!  They do it because they can!!!

it sucks tho to see someone beat a child in a store! but frankly it's not my idea of spending the eveing looking for it either!  Not saying that you do!  but your putting  your energy into it either way!  is it worth it!  to feel that way about something you CAN NOT do anything about???

Answer 22

ha ha -yes it often seems so.I think the prob is too many ask the kids what they want-big mistake,leads to pointless tantrums---just get your stuff-you are the adult and get out of there.

Answer 23

No not to smack them but trade them. I try many times to swap mine for products, but the shop keepers only take money.

Answer 24

Supermarkets are the best place to get good price of their children with less efforts?

Answer 25

No, I smack my child before we leave for the market.  This is a proper warning against him misbehaving in public.

All kidding aside, I don't know why parents do this in public places.. I feel so bad for the kids. Not only is the slap physically painful, but it's downright humiliating. And believe it or not, even though they can feel humiliation, they don't understand the correlation between their actions and their parent's embarassment.

I've never hit my child in public, or even raised my voice at him where there were witnesses.  I remove us both from the situation and try to calmly reprimand and warn him. After that, he gets a promise of punishment when we get home.

Answer 26

we were never allowed to go into a supermarket and be disrespectful. never allowed to pick the items we wanted. my mother told me it was a privilege to go to the market with her. now a days kids can do what they wish and act rude and scream and kick and if i had any i would smack them in the market or they would never come back with me to the market which is smarter and cheaper since they wouldn't be whining about what they saw on television which they want.

Answer 27

Because theres usually no one else to look after them at home so you got no choice to take them although that can be a major pain when the kids harass you to buy this and buy that then you say that you haven't got enough money or that you already have that product at home then the arguments and tantrums becomes the next thing fro the parent to deal with.

Its something that all parents experience and I guess its apart of normal everyday parenting activities to take the kids to the super market.

On the other hand its like taking their kids for a joy ride to the a place full of colors and surprises and new things that the kids wont find anywhere else.

it can also make the kids do something for the parents like help them get or select certain products so its like a bonding session between children and parents.

Answer 28

No parent wakes up early in the morning and thinks, 'I'll take little Johnny to the supermarket today, I really feel like smacking him.' But many parents do feel wherever the bad behavior is displayed, that's where it should be dealt with immediately. As for bringing them there, period. They have to be exposed to a supermarket one day. What would you suggest they do? Leave them locked in the house? Alone? Maids-to-Go isn't affordable for the masses!

Answer 29

Maybe because they don't want to/can't get a sitter? Maybe they like to include children in thier life? There are probably loads of reasons. However, I don't think taking them to a supermarket just to smack them is one reason!

I know I take my child to the supermarket regularly - I have my reasons and smacking aint one of them. I like to include my child in everyday life where possible, I know I can as he is well behaved (mostly!). What I cannot understand is parents who just let thier kids run amok in shops - get them interested in the shopping, talk about the things you see around in the store - it is really quite easy to do! And it works.

Answer 30

In the hope they'll be abducted so that they get to go on TV saying: "Please come home baby." Parents love that sh*t.

Answer 31

Parents take their children to supermarkets for several reasons.  Some do it to socialize the children.  Some do it because they don't have a babysitter.  Children are people, too, and need to learn how to behave in supermarkets and every place else.  

As for those parents who smack their children in public places, have pity on them.  Sometimes it is the parents who have no disciplinary skills.  Sometimes the children just go berserk due to lack of sleep or they are over-stimulated and need something to calm them down.  If you don't have an understanding heart for people, just do your best to avoid them.