sastolfi Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 Please tell me why people take their small children with them on Black Friday? I just can't understand why you would take small kids with all the crazy stuff going on in the stores. If you don't have a babysitter then you should stay home and do online shopping or have someone who is going get your stuff.
georgiapeach717 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 i actually 100% agree with you, however I can see desperation if money is tight and someone really wants to get thier child something on their wishlist that is unaffordable without battling the BF crowds. I do always worry about the kids' safety and especially the babies out in the freezing cold for hours too. I dont care how many blankets are on them in the stroller...17* at 2:30 in the morning at a target is no place for a newborn! (IMHO)
sastolfi Posted October 27, 2009 Author Posted October 27, 2009 I live in MI and it can very darn cold here and to see those children out in that weather there is no BF deal worth that.
Mikesgirl Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I dont allow kids to go with me or the group that goes with me... Now this year my stepdad is our personal driver and DD9 wants to stay with Papa so she is going but they are staying in the truck...
jennie_bebe Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I agree. It is so sad to see the little ones freezing in the cold weather. Leave um at home where it is warm!!!
Lyricsmama Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I agree! As a mom of two, I can't get a babysitter so I stay home and shop online most years, there's no way I'd take my kiddos out in the cold to wait in line just to get some good deals at 5am, heck I wouldn't even go out there when I was pregnant! I can't tell you how many times I've been out there waiting in line at like 3am and parents have a small baby in their arms all bundled up, I just shook my head, we live in OHIO it's COLD up here!!!
amy0807 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 When my children were really little, we stayed overnight with my inlaws and they stayed with their grandfather while my husband, MIL and I shopped. Now, I make out my list and my DD 14 and DH do all the shopping. I find the deal and they go get them and the little ones stay home with me. No way I would have ever taken my kids out in the cold.
georgiapeach717 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 hell we live in GA and its usually too cold here!! for me! LOL!
dustysky Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I am in FL and it is "cold" to us. I still do not take my youngest (age 9). She would be bored stiff. Not to mention those stores are CRAZY, it is hard enough to find what you want without worrying about where your child is.
Miss Star Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 Definitely agree, you shouldn't take little kids out on BF. The cold, the long hours, and the craziness of crowds. All that plus little kids do not mix together. I would be to afraid of something happen as it easily could during all that madness. But sometimes you do what you have to do, no babysitter and all that so if you have to bring your kids please keep them in a cart lol
Illinoismom Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 Well I disagree, not every one can shop on line. Not every one has people they trust to leave their little ones with. If my children were little and I had no choice of trying to get things at a good deal or nothing at all. I would take my chances and bring ny children with me.
bfaddict1977 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I would NEVER take my kids shopping in the early mornings but I have in the afternoons on bf and been just fine. Last yr I had a babysitter but this year I may not be able to afford it. We usually head out around 8-9 am.
cotejb Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 My kid is young but I don't have any other family here to watch her. Even my hubby is currently gone so if I ever have to, I will take her with me. Granted, I'm not going to stand out and wait in the cold, I'd either just go to Walmart which is 24 hour or wait in my car or go later in the morning.
KrystalMae1231 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 We live in central illinois and at night it gets to around 10-20 degrees depending on what the weather chooses to do each year. Last year it wasn't bad...actually around 30-35. I have seen people waiting in line with infants.....one woman was shopping with her 5 day old baby!!!!! IDIOTS!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it, I mean my daughter is 8 this year and if she wanted to go I would let her, but I wouldn't come back home to get her until 9ish...after the crazy has calmed down and she has had a good nights rest and good breakfast. The hubby usually stays home with her though, as he hates the crowds and hates knowing how much I spent!! If you don't have a sitter at least keep them in the cart AND STAY WITH YOUR CART AT ALL TIMES!!!! I seen kids in carts but parents were in the pile up of people. those kids could have been gone in a second!
Brayden's Mama Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I could not imagine taking my ds who is 3 out on BF. People are way to crazy to watch out for a little one.
stacy0479 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I have never taken DS 11 with me. He wants to go this year, but I told him no, maybe next year or later in the afternoon this year cause all the stuff he gets is stuff I get in the morning!!
camsmom Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I have never understood how a parent can take their little ones out shopping the early morning of BF. Last year I saw a little boy still in his pajamas and so tired, I am guessing around 3 years old and was so upset to be at TRU...yes, a child sad to be at TRU...because it was 4:00 in the morning! Seriously, I have two children and I can honestly say that if my DH was not home and I didn't have anyone to watch my kiddos then I would not be out the am of BF. No deal is good enough to put my children in danger and IMO that is what you are doing on BF by bringing them out. It is crazy that day, people pushing, hitting, climbing over you so they can get to the deal before you do..not a place for some adults...let alone a little one. I also agree with KrystalMae1231 if you do HAVE to bring them with you, please stay at the cart with them...your child could be gone in a matter of seconds while you are off in the middle of the pact trying to get that great deal. They won't miss the toy on Christmas morning, but they will miss you if goodness for bid something were to happen to them.
dmintelsgt Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 People will do what they have to do... I'm not going to take sides, all I ask is that if you do take your little ones, please dress them for the weather and watch out for them. I wanted to smack one mom upside the head when her baby (they were outside the store) was dressed in nothing but a oneies! I sure hope she was shopping to buy her kid some warmer clothes!!! I'm lucky that my DH won't go out of the house on BF so he gets to watch the kiddos - heck he probably won't get out of his pjs that day! LOL!
Hummin Bird Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I use to think the same way, however a few years back there was a young woman in line infront of me with a 1 year old a few people made snarky comments about it and she could hear them ( i was nto one of them) eventually she and I got to talking and I found out she and her brother were the only living members of thier family and her Husband didnt have any family either (he was raised in foster care) And not even 6 months before her Husband had been killed (army) and then her brother had been injured and lost his leg (Marines) so she really had no one and didnt know anyone really. I felt really bad for her, I asked her what she was looking for and it was mainly just the deals ont he clothes for her little girl that she really needed. I asked her for her name and number and she gave it to me, needless to say I added a nother 2 people to my list that year and we are great friends now and her daughter stays with my kids at my home on black friday.
Iliveforblckfri Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 People will do what they have to do... I'm not going to take sides, all I ask is that if you do take your little ones, please dress them for the weather and watch out for them. I wanted to smack one mom upside the head when her baby (they were outside the store) was dressed in nothing but a oneies! I sure hope she was shopping to buy her kid some warmer clothes!!! ] HMMM, I may have been tempted to offer help to buy her child some warmer clothes. I think lots of people on this thread have been nice to take their older children to shop. My kids got to go with me for the first time last year. They are in their 20s and able to attack stores that I want things at. Darla
lcplwinkerswife Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 my mom is going to watch my dd she will only be 4 months almost 5 but im not taking her out in all the craziness....
kjunea Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I lose my sister in law in the crowds and she is 40+ years old (I would tell you how old she really is, but then she would kill me!!! If I took my 6 year old, I wouldn't get anything done! He would be wanting to go to the toy section, I"m bored, I want this, I need to go to the restroom, etc.... My neice and a friend or two spend the night with me Thanksgiving night and they take care of him while my SIL and I go shopping.
lovebears65 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 In all the years I have shopped I have never taken my kids. I was always lucky when they were little Dh would stay home with them. If he was out to sea my best friend would take them for the night and she would give me her list. She hated to wait so I did the shopping for her and I. Now that they are older its not an issue. I remember one year I did go with my friend who took her 8 month old son. It was in Corpus and the weather was not cold that year. I think it was in the 60s for the low and it wasnt like it is now that people wait 24 hours. We went to Toys R us at 530 and it opened at 6 and still got everything we wanted. Times were different.. I am sure if she was to shop today she wouldnt have taken him out. I didnt agree back then when she took him but she had no babysitter. Her husband was out to sea and she wanted to get something for a relative that was a hot item. I couldnt believe she was taking him but its her child no mine so I didnt say anything to her:razz:
KrystalMae1231 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I use to think the same way, however a few years back there was a young woman in line infront of me with a 1 year old a few people made snarky comments about it and she could hear them ( i was nto one of them) eventually she and I got to talking and I found out she and her brother were the only living members of thier family and her Husband didnt have any family either (he was raised in foster care) And not even 6 months before her Husband had been killed (army) and then her brother had been injured and lost his leg (Marines) so she really had no one and didnt know anyone really. I felt really bad for her, I asked her what she was looking for and it was mainly just the deals ont he clothes for her little girl that she really needed. I asked her for her name and number and she gave it to me, needless to say I added a nother 2 people to my list that year and we are great friends now and her daughter stays with my kids at my home on black friday.that is an amazing story. I guess we, myself included should take a step back and not judge a book by its cover. I would never put my kids in danger for a deal, but I can see how someone who can't afford much and just wants to be able to buy some cheap clothes for their kid(s) would do this.
jbdinos Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I used to take my kids shopping on Black Friday when I first started shopping that day. At that time I went out solely for the cheapest deals that I could get because otherwise my kids wouldn't have had a decent Christmas. The world is so commercial that the kids at school and even teachers have them talk about what they "got"... so it's nice to not be the kid that only got one toy from the dollar store... There were 5 of them... l didn't "believe" and the other 4 were small enough to take the their coats off and I could hide the stuff I was buying under the coats and they didn't know. I simply didn't have the extra money for a sitter, their dad was at work, and if I took them to family I would have spent so much in gas $$ that it would have defeated the purpose. They usually did arrive in their PJ's .... but I put them to bed plenty early the night before, let them sleep on the way to the store... and they knew they were getting chocolate milk and donuts after we were done. So they were really good because it was treat to them. I do not mind seeing kids out on BF... my DGD is 5 and she would totally LOVE going out in the crowd and go "people watching" with me.... I don't take her because she is also nosy and I don't want to ruin the Santa magic for her.... now that my kids are older and I am in a better place financially I go out to people watch, get deals, etc but I leave them at home with an older cousin. As for those that don't bundle them up... well that happens other days of the year besides BF... it's just noticed more because you are standing in line and you see who all is out there shopping..... it is sometimes bitter cold here in Indiana.... and I've seen babies and small kids all year long without appropriate clothing, etc. Being left alone in the store for mom to go to the other side of the aisle to get just one thing, etc..... it happens all the time, we just notice it more on BF I think... Just remember... sometimes when someone is out shopping.. with kids... maybe it's all they can do to hold it together.... maybe they have no choice in order to get that one thing that is hot and maybe it's the only thing their child will get this year.... Count your blessings that you don't have to do that and your kids aren't there making you crazy
mamapenguin Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I think it depends on the weather. If it's really cold/windy/rainy/snowy etc.. then I would not take my kids (youngest turns 6 on Christmas). If the weather is ok, I may take her........she loves to shop & her big sis (14) is a big help. I don't usually head out until 4:30am.
Hummin Bird Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 that is an amazing story. I guess we, myself included should take a step back and not judge a book by its cover. I would never put my kids in danger for a deal, but I can see how someone who can't afford much and just wants to be able to buy some cheap clothes for their kid(s) would do this.Just typing it out made me cry a little. Her daughter (who is now my goddaughter lol) had a wonderful christmas that year (i got alot of people to help make it that way ), and they (mom, daughter, and mom's brother) are now apart of our family. Its the times like these and the friendships Ive formed that help me remember that its not allllllllllll about shopping during the Christmas season
mulchman22 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I used to take my kids shopping on Black Friday when I first started shopping that day. At that time I went out solely for the cheapest deals that I could get because otherwise my kids wouldn't have had a decent Christmas. The world is so commercial that the kids at school and even teachers have them talk about what they "got"... so it's nice to not be the kid that only got one toy from the dollar store... There were 5 of them... l didn't "believe" and the other 4 were small enough to take the their coats off and I could hide the stuff I was buying under the coats and they didn't know. I simply didn't have the extra money for a sitter, their dad was at work, and if I took them to family I would have spent so much in gas $$ that it would have defeated the purpose. They usually did arrive in their PJ's .... but I put them to bed plenty early the night before, let them sleep on the way to the store... and they knew they were getting chocolate milk and donuts after we were done. So they were really good because it was treat to them. I do not mind seeing kids out on BF... my DGD is 5 and she would totally LOVE going out in the crowd and go "people watching" with me.... I don't take her because she is also nosy and I don't want to ruin the Santa magic for her.... now that my kids are older and I am in a better place financially I go out to people watch, get deals, etc but I leave them at home with an older cousin. As for those that don't bundle them up... well that happens other days of the year besides BF... it's just noticed more because you are standing in line and you see who all is out there shopping..... it is sometimes bitter cold here in Indiana.... and I've seen babies and small kids all year long without appropriate clothing, etc. Being left alone in the store for mom to go to the other side of the aisle to get just one thing, etc..... it happens all the time, we just notice it more on BF I think... Just remember... sometimes when someone is out shopping.. with kids... maybe it's all they can do to hold it together.... maybe they have no choice in order to get that one thing that is hot and maybe it's the only thing their child will get this year.... Count your blessings that you don't have to do that and your kids aren't there making you crazy POD Please don't judge people! I still cry over the year 20+ years ago that I couldn't buy NOT ONE THING for my kids even on BLk Friday! if not for my neighbors my kids would have had NOTHING my neighbors got them 2 small toys each. They don't remember it BUT I do and like I said I still cry when I remember that year! so when you see kids out there PLEASE remember this may be the only way they are getting ANYTHING for christmas!
jbdinos Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 POD Please don't judge people! I still cry over the year 20+ years ago that I couldn't buy NOT ONE THING for my kids even on BLk Friday! if not for my neighbors my kids would have had NOTHING my neighbors got them 2 small toys each. They don't remember it BUT I do and like I said I still cry when I remember that year! so when you see kids out there PLEASE remember this may be the only way they are getting ANYTHING for christmas!I honestly don't know what the "POD" means... but I wasn't judging... I am sorry you read it that way... I was trying to say I don't mind seeing kids out because I have been there when I couldn't afford Christmas any other way... and I was trying to show that point of view... that those that don't have to take their kids and can afford a sitter should feel blessed that they are that fortunate... I am sorry I didn't make that more clear in my original posting
mulchman22 Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I honestly don't know what the "POD" means... but I wasn't judging... I am sorry you read it that way... I was trying to say I don't mind seeing kids out because I have been there when I couldn't afford Christmas any other way... and I was trying to show that point of view... that those that don't have to take their kids and can afford a sitter should feel blessed that they are that fortunate... I am sorry I didn't make that more clear in my original postingJBDINOS I'm SOO soory..... I should have been clearer.... aPOD means I agree with you and the rest was directed at others that think noone should bring kids. Again I soo sorry I wasn't clear when I wrote that!
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