I had an idea today, and wanted to gauge its social acceptability. We have a small grocer in our community. It's not a superstore by any means. It has maybe 10 aisles and 2 checkstands. All the parking is storefront, and the whole front of the building is large windows. There are rarely more than 3 people there at a time, maybe 5 when it's busy. It's kind of a cross between a grocer and a convenience store, except without a liquor store. I stop there often when I only have a few things to grab, because it's not far and is better stocked than a gas station. I know the manager and all the checkers.
Today I wanted to run in and get some peanuts, but two of my kids were asleep in the car and I really didn't want to wake them up and drag them inside for one item that I didn't absolutely need. So I joked to my daughter, 6, that I should just send her in there with some money. She was excited about it, and very disappointed that I didn't end up stopping. So my question is... how do people feel about sending a 6-year-old alone to buy a few items?
When I was a kid, we'd ride our bikes to the gas station and buy candy all the time. And my father used to walk to the store for his parents and pick up staples on credit when he was young. But those were different times, and I'm not sure it would go over as well nowadays. I mean technically my daughter is capable of walking into a store, finding what she needs, and taking it to the checkstand. I have her do it all the time, albeit in my presence. What do you think? Would it be precocious to send her in by herself while I waited in the car?
Today I wanted to run in and get some peanuts, but two of my kids were asleep in the car and I really didn't want to wake them up and drag them inside for one item that I didn't absolutely need. So I joked to my daughter, 6, that I should just send her in there with some money. She was excited about it, and very disappointed that I didn't end up stopping. So my question is... how do people feel about sending a 6-year-old alone to buy a few items?
When I was a kid, we'd ride our bikes to the gas station and buy candy all the time. And my father used to walk to the store for his parents and pick up staples on credit when he was young. But those were different times, and I'm not sure it would go over as well nowadays. I mean technically my daughter is capable of walking into a store, finding what she needs, and taking it to the checkstand. I have her do it all the time, albeit in my presence. What do you think? Would it be precocious to send her in by herself while I waited in the car?