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Aussie Mum Shamed at Supermarket for ‘Unthinkable’ Act While Putting Trolley Away

Mum Shamed at Supermarket for ‘Unthinkable’ Act While Putting Trolley Away

Mums get shamed for everything these days, even for returning shopping trolleys back to the trolley bay.

An Aussie mum has shared her recent experience with a “Susan” she met at her local supermarket after her grocery run. Sharing her story on Instagram, parenting blogger Sophie Skipper explained that she was chastised by a random woman for leaving her child in her car while she returned her shopping trolley to the bay “two car spaces away” from her parked car.

Sophie wrote: “Had my first run in with a ‘Susan’ today. You know, the woman who knows everything and is never afraid to tell you in the most direct and degrading way? Especially when it comes to motherhood.

“She didn’t see my toddler have a good old cry and scream over which trolley we took, she didn’t catch him stealing grapes out of the bag that we hadn’t paid for yet and she hadn’t even seen him chuck a wobbly because I didn’t have any coins to toss down the money spinner in the entrance way.

“What she did witness however, was me closing the car door with my son inside it as I walked away. I was walking from my car to the trolley bay which was a mere two car spots over from my parked car.

“Child strapped in safely, happily watching Bluey, window half down and keys in my pocket nowhere near the ignition. She proceeded to scoff at my ‘negligence’ and how unthinkable it was to leave a child unattended and that it was ‘so typical of new young mums’ to do what makes them comfortable and not what is best for the child overall.”

Gosh, that’s something I’ve done hundreds of times with my babies and toddlers. It’ seemed the safest option to put the children securely in their car seats with a snack and a toy before unloading the shopping bags and quickly running the trolley back to the return bay.

 

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Had my first run in with a ‘Susan’ today. You know, the woman who knows everything and is never afraid to tell you in the most direct and degrading way? Especially when it comes to motherhood. Well she was at Woolies today! And no she didn’t see my toddler have a good old cry and scream over which trolley we took, she didn’t catch him stealing grapes out of the bag that we hadn’t paid for yet and she hadn’t even seen him chuck a wobbly because I didn’t have any coins to toss down the money spinner in the entrance way. Because Lord knows she would have had a word or 2000 to say about those fruits of bad parenting! What she did witness however, was me closing the car door with my son inside it as I walked away. Slight detail to note here – I was walking from my car to the trolley bay which was a mere 2 car spots over from my parked car. Child strapped in safely, happily watching Bluey, window half down and keys in my pocket nowhere near the ignition. Alas, she proceeded to scoff at my ‘negligence’ and how unthinkable it was to leave a child unattended and that it was ‘so typical of new young mums’ to do what makes them comfortable and not what is best for the child overall. I genuinely didn’t think she was talking to me because 1 – I thought it was a joke, so dramatic it had to be sarcasm. 2 – because I wasn’t doing anything wrong to prompt it. So when I found out I was the one being schooled, I was surprised. And then, I. Was. FURIOUS. There was a little bit of ‘friendly’ back and forth then to point out all the obvious facts of it being a trolley return dash and not a bloody 3 mile hitchhike. And finally, that although it wasn’t her business, if she really felt that concerned on the situation, to properly asses it all first and maybe don’t speak so horrendously about another human being while doing so? 🙅🏼‍♀️ So here’s to the mum doing her best, and it still not being enough for those onlookers. But guess what? You’re not raising those onlookers, you’re raising your own family. So pick your battles and own that shit like the warrior you are! 💛 And enjoy the damn ice cream for dinner just because you know Susan would love to crucify you for that as well! 😉😉

A post shared by Sophie Skipper (@soph.themummalogue) on

Sophie’s adorable son Emmett is two years old. And while it is never okay to leave your children in the car for extended periods of time, especially in the hot summer months, making a quick dash to the trolley bay is hardly irresponsible parenting worthy of confrontation.

 

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You may have noticed a previous post of mine on here getting some more recent attention this past week regarding a mum-shaming occurrence in the supermarket carpark 🤦🏼‍♀️ And despite most of the comments and messages I received being supportive and comforting, anything on social media these days is far from sacred or immune from scrutiny.. (Excuse me while I giggle at the irony that my post on parent shaming attracts a comment that shamed my parenting.. 🙈) But it really got me thinking – had any of this occurred 2 years ago when Emmett was much younger and I was in a much more fragile state as a mother and person, it could have quite possibly killed me. My feelings would have been so deeply hurt and any ounce of self-confidence with this newfound full time gig of parenthood would have been crushed. I would have crumbled right then and there on the spot. Luckily I am in a much better place now and when it initially happened, and whilst I am far from perfect I know that my love for this little not far outweighs anything else, and I can trust that the decisions I am making are always with him in mind first. Sadly, others aren’t as fortunate. They’re not there yet or as strong within themselves and their journey. And they can be just a single comment away from breaking down and giving up. So please, in a world full of enough crap as it is, just be KIND. A simple word for you could mean the world for someone else.. 💙 #bekind #parenthood #motherhood #mumshaming #themummalogue #momshaming #parentslove #emmettedward #kindnessmatters

A post shared by Sophie Skipper (@soph.themummalogue) on

Source: Instagram/Sophie Skipper



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Jill is a busy wife and mother of four young children. She loves nothing more than making people giggle, and loves to settle in with a glass of wine (or four) and wander about the internet. Feel free to follow her to see all the cool stuff she finds!


One thought on “Aussie Mum Shamed at Supermarket for ‘Unthinkable’ Act While Putting Trolley Away

  1. AvatarBlossom

    It is difficult enough to lift anything out of a trolley at the bay. Maybe somebody should give the women who criticised the Mum how hard it is. You would have to push the trolley part way in. lift out the child and then good luck trying to push it into the other one properly, A lot of trolleys have been damaged by inconsiderate people which makes it even harder. It would be impossible if it was a small baby. Nobody offers to take the trolley for you although I have been asked if I had finished with my trolley and the person taken it to use.

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