Rockfordmom Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I was surprised at the number of kids I saw out BF shopping with their parents all night. I saw a few at the store we went to at midnight, but then we went to the mall & at 3:00 am we went to the food court to wait for the 4:00 stores to open and there were kids all over the place. I'm talking about little, under 8 year old kids at 3-4 am. My kids begged me to take them with, they are almost 11 & 12, and I didn't think they could handle staying up all night, so we were shocked to see 5 & 6 year old kids out with their parents, awake at 3:30 in the morning. Throughout the night I saw a couple of my kids friends out with their parents so it made me think about taking my kids with next year, but then I heard all the stories about the crazy people & someone pepper spraying people and now I'm back to thinking that I won't take them out with me next year. I go out after Thanksgiving dinner & don't come home until 8 in the morning and I don't want to have to run home to drop off my kids in the middle of the night. Was it like that all over the place, were there a lot more kids out with their parents than before? I didn't notice women by themselves with their kids, it was groups of people with kids (we saw 3 women and a very young baby or 4 adults with 2 little kids around 4-5 years old) and we thought why didn't one of the adults stay home with the children? And how were those kids up at that time of the night?
abentley Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I fully admit to taking my DS13 & DS14 to Walmart at 10:00 pm. Home at 11, and supervised at all times by myself or my DD23. We encountered a lot more kids that night than any other year. From newborns , toddlers to school age kids. It isn't something I would do.
BDF Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 There were so many teenagers "hanging out" at the mall on BF, it just made me mad. Mad because they were not with their parents, they weren't shopping, they were just hanging out, basically in the way. Hanging out in front of the stores, standing in groups, and it was already crowded. Who drops their kid off at the mall at midnight to hang out???
peppysfireball Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I have always taken my kids with me. My mom is my only sitter and she goes with me. My kids are older now, but this yeasr my 14 son stayed home for the first time. I have never had a problem, but I don't do the all night thing. We go to a college town 25 miles away and the crowds aren't bad. My kids always saved their money so they could get good deals too.
youngjhawk Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 So in Nebraska, this was the warmest black friday I've been out in to date. However, it was still 45 degrees out. We were in line at Nebraska Furniture Mart; around 3:30am, there was a family (two parents and another adult) that came in to get in line. They had 2 young kids with them, around 6-8, and then they were pushing two strollers with a baby and a toddler. I was cold, I can't imagine bringing my babies and kids out. Poor things. We were in line at 7:30pm, and there was a group of high school kids in the front of the line, and an awful lot of various kids behind us. More kids this year than in the past.
jade2002 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 There were tons of kids of all ages at Walmart. I heard some teenage boy walk by with a friend and they were saying that they were just there to sit back, watch and laugh at everybody. There was this girl standing right beside of me with a baby in the front of the buggy and one in the back. The one is the front was around 6 -8 months and the one in the back I would say was around 2 maybe. They were sharing a bottle but whatever....It was total madness where I was standing and I'm not sure how those babies came out of that but it couldn't have been very good. I never saw them after that. I personally think kids should be left at home during bf but that's just my opinion.
dmintelsgt Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I brought my 12yr old DD for her first BF and my friend brought her 12 yr old son, we were out all night, both kids did great and hung in there the whole way. I will never do the all night thing again however, the deals just weren't worth it. If I could do it over again I would wait until 4am and start my shopping then. My DD and I were out for 14 hours, with no sleep, it wasn't much fun after 5am and we all got sleepy around 2am waiting for JCPenny to open. The mall was rather crazy and I was surprised by the number of kids (12-15 yr olds) by themselves at 1am. There was also a couple sitting outside of SEARs at midnight with a baby! WTH?!?
Danascraps Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I brought my 14 year old DD with me at 3:45... she really wanted to go. We had a great time together, and yes, I will take her again. Any one on one time I can spend with her is a positive!
smorebore Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I wish it would go back to the way it used to be.....Stores opening at 5 or 6. shop, go eat breakfast and then go home. Why even call it Black Friday anymore?
mistih77 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I had 2 15 year olds and a 17 year old with me all girls. I was the only adult but they did just fine. At Walmart the 4 of us each picked a spot to stand and grabbed what we needed the moment they opened everything up and met back at the garden center and we were in and out by 10:15. Then at the mall 1 of the 15 year olds and the 17 year old went to some stores and I took the other 15 year old with me. There were never just hanging out they were always shopping and standing in lines. We were home by 7:00 am so 12 hrs of shopping. The 3 of them crashed and I was up for the rest of the day cooking and getting ready for our Thanksgiving. No more all nighters for me but the girls had a blast. I'll take them again next year but we won't be going to the mall Until about 4 or so. We could have gotten a good nap in between the mall and Walmart if I would have know I could have gotten all the things I needed at the mall even if I waited till 4 to go.
jaymacfla Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I brought my 14 year old DD with me at 3:45... she really wanted to go. We had a great time together, and yes, I will take her again. Any one on one time I can spend with her is a positive!A responsible teenager is ok. Newborns and toddlers indicate a lack of respect for life and limb.
theboyzmom Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I can't stand seeing babies and toddlers out on BF It's so unsafe and unhealthy for those little ones to be out all night with crazy selfish people who don't care about the well-being of others
tehlilone Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I have to agree after reading all this. It actually didn't occur to me at first because I used to always go with my mom since I can remember. I was in elementary school when I started black friday shopping. The majority of kids out there weren't into it like I was though...
Elmck Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I took DD8 and it was a last minute decision. However, she did great and wants to go next year too. I did make her take a nap before we left and that helped. She lasted until about 6:30 and then fell asleep in DS's car. DD and DSIL took their baby. DSIL carried her in one fo those things that hold her next to his chest. She slept all night except for diaper changes and feedings. DD said she wouldn't take her next year because she doesn't thin she'd sleep as well as she did this year. The also did not wait out in the cold but went in after stores were open. I really think it depends on the child and the parent. If DD8 had gotten to tired or was not having a good time with us, I would have brought her home and missed a few deals. I was willing.
AshJs3 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I saw LOTS of babies. I was so shocked. If you can't find a sitter you should stay home. There were people trying to push strollers, carry baby carrier things, and let their kids walk. It was ridiculous. I love shopping as much as anyone, but there is no way I would put my child in that position.
beccas302 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 saw tons of kids of all ages out on BF as well. What bugged me the most, was the parents who let their 7-8ish year olds pushing the carts around at walmart! I mean, come on.. it's crowded as heck, people pushing and shoving, and you're going to let your kid push the cart around!? I can't count how many times I got bumped in the back because the kid can't see over the piles of crap in the cart. Very frustrating.
racerfan Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 We had quite a few kids in our group. Most were in the 13 year old age group. The younger ones went in the cars to sleep, or to homes that were close by. My DD13 slept for a while in her chair outside then went to the truck and slept some more. On the whole all the kids with us did great. There were also quite a few other people out with their kids but they were not out there as long as we were.
NYshopper Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 My DH and I look for this every year!! We always wait to see when we can spot the parent bringing a small child out on BF. There is at least 1 every year. There is nothing wrong with bringing out teens on BF, actually I think it's a great idea. My DD is almost 11 and my DH wants her to come out with us in a couple years. I think a mature 12 year old could do fine if sticking with mom and dad. It's the babies and toddlers that get my DH and I so upset. We were standing on line at Target at 10pm and it was Cold!! We saw 2 different Moms with babies in strollers and 1 with a 2-3 year old. I just don't understand how that is a good idea. Its super cold, its the middle of the night and its a lot of crowds. I think its very irresponsible. There is no sale good enough to risk the health,happiness, or well being of my kids.
canfleece Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 My husband and I worked it out, when the kids were little, I went by myself and he stayed with them. Personally I wouldn't have the patience with the crowds and worrying about my kids, etc. Now that they are older, we hit the stores together with no kids as how can you shop for them when they are with you lol. My 12 yo thought about coming this year but then decided not to. I am glad as we only went to Walmart but people were shoving and pushing and it was massive chaos...we went for dvd's mostly and got there 9:45 and were home before 10:30. I did a lot of online shopping this year and if I had really young children that is how I would do it.
ObiRich Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 To all those who are dissing on parents for bringing out babes in arms, todders, etc...they must subscribe to the addage "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger." As long as the kids are still breathing at the end it it must be good for them. [please note the heavy sarcasm] I saw lots of babies, in arms, buggies, and strollers, along with a fair number of kids say 5-8. But the one that rattled me the most was a very heavy set woman trying to manuever around on her scooter chair! She was pretty assertive/aggressive...I wonder how many people's feet she ran over that night.
fabnsab Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I wouldn't bring my almost 3 yr old out BF shopping if they promised me $1,000,000! There were so many kids this year. The babies and toddlers outside in the cold always bothers me but after seeing a 5 yr old girl get hit with carts about 4 different times I decided its that age that bothers me the most. At least toddlers and babies have some protection in the cart. I feel for those who have no babysitters. I am one of those people. But I would choose to stay home if I didn't have a backup plan. The news stories prove that BF shopping can be violent. This is the same reason so many parent won't take small children to nfl games. If there's a 1% chance of something dangerous happening, small kids should stay home. Tell me you need to camp out for an organ transplant or something then ok, but not for a $2 dvd.
happy410 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I wouldn't bring my almost 3 yr old out BF shopping if they promised me $1,000,000! There were so many kids this year. The babies and toddlers outside in the cold always bothers me but after seeing a 5 yr old girl get hit with carts about 4 different times I decided its that age that bothers me the most. At least toddlers and babies have some protection in the cart. I feel for those who have no babysitters. I am one of those people. But I would choose to stay home if I didn't have a backup plan. The news stories prove that BF shopping can be violent. This is the same reason so many parent won't take small children to nfl games. If there's a 1% chance of something dangerous happening, small kids should stay home. Tell me you need to camp out for an organ transplant or something then ok, but not for a $2 dvd.
momtotimothy Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 There were so many teenagers "hanging out" at the mall on BF, it just made me mad. Mad because they were not with their parents, they weren't shopping, they were just hanging out, basically in the way. Hanging out in front of the stores, standing in groups, and it was already crowded. Who drops their kid off at the mall at midnight to hang out???Oh my goodness, it was the same way where I was shopping! I feel like the teens would not have gotten up at 4am but with all of the stores opening at midnight it was something to do. Mid way through the night they were all just laying around on the floor all over the mall. As if it wasn't crowded enough!
starbeck96 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I took my one of my boys with me when he was about 5. I was after the Gamecube..lol. That seems like forever ago.. I would not take my daughter with me (she is 5) because I know that she would not do well. She is like her mamma and needs her sleep. But when I took my son out it was back when everything opened at 5 and things were not as crazy as they are now. If I thought that my daughter would do ok I would take her. But we live in a small town and most of the time it everyone is pretty civil. I prefer not to take any kids if I can help it though. I asked my 13 year old boys to go with me and my husband this year and they said they had rather not. So, they stayed with DH parents. My daughter stayed with my parents. Most of the time, my friend and I go and DH babysits her boys and our kids. But friend didn't go this year.. I don't really see anything wrong with taking kids as long as you can keep them safe and warm. I would not stand outside with my younger kids and I would not take them to the video game or movie section at WM..I also definitely wouldn't take them to the towel section either.. I think it just depends on your child and the area you are shopping. There were lots of small kids and babies out at our Walmart. But like I said everyone for the most part is nice.
stacya Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 A responsible teenager is ok. Newborns and toddlers indicate a lack of respect for life and limb.I absolutely agree! I was getting so pissed off, because I was seeing parents scolding and yelling at their kids who couldn't be more than 3 years old--for the love of God, it's friggin 2 o'clock in the morning--GO HOME AND PUT THEM TO BED...THAT'S why their whining!! Ridiculous...
jcarr492 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 we took our dd's 12 & 13 with us again. Last year was their first year and we did a trial run at our local walmart which is in a rural town. A lot smaller. They did fabulous manning their posts from 10pm till the sale started at 5am. This year we did the same thing again at the local walmart..its just much calmer there and everyone knows everyone even if your not related to them. After that, I introduced them to the target in Victoria TX...they hated it. LOL But they were troopers about it and while I stood in the check out line while they ran together to get the 3 items we were after. LOL
bluesky225 Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I saw a few teenagers, but I don't think I saw any younger kids during the early hours that I was out. (I didn't go out until 4am though) We went to several stores, and I didn't see kids at all!
tinkrbel Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I don't recall seeing any kids at all but my memory sucks. I kind of dread seeing these threads come up because it's easy to say I wouldn't put MY kids in that position but to each their own. I don't stand still long enough to look around and observe what OTHER ppl are doing:) Only time I really stood still was waiting to get into Walmart (where I was looking down so as not to trip over barriers legs) at 6am and in line at Disney Store(where I saw no kids surprisingly) for a few minutes literally but I didn't head out til 3:30am so maybe they were already in bed by then.
kansasteacher Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 The most worrisome situation with kids that I saw this BF? I was in Wal-Mart at "unwrap" time (10PM)... after I'd grabbed a couple of Lego sets and was exiting the regular toy aisles (which is where I had to go to find the $20 Tag reader), I ran into two girls - on probably around 6, the other maybe 9 - and the older girl was the younger girl's "babysitter." The parents/adults/whoever were nowhere near, because I heard the older girl say, "Let's go look for your mom over by the clothes..." The Wal-Mart I was in was crazy-packed; in fact, I heard that a fight broke out over bikes and someone punched someone else and was subsequently arrested. Who let's two young elementary-aged girls walk around alone together in the middle of THAT?
scrapwave Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 There were sooo many with young young children and babies at my walmart. Saw one woman at our walmart (dont' know if her dh or anyone else was with her) who had not 1 or 2 but 4 children UNDER the age of 5 in her basket! The baby (appx 5-6 mos. old) was screaming and crying....probably hungry and exhausted..it was close to midnight at that point. I wonder what deal is so great that you have to drag your toddlers/infants out to that craziness and ignore their crying while you shop???
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