r/NoStupidQuestions • u/ActuatorOutside5256 • 8h ago
Why do people bring their entire family to Costco?
I don’t mean this harshly, so I find it interesting when an entire family goes to Costco for a quick trip and just a few items. I understand it if it’s a special outing, and for places you go to regularly, it feels unnecessary to bring everyone along (kids, in-laws, grandparents, extended family), when one person could easily run in and grab what’s needed. What’s happening here?
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u/Chairboy 8h ago
In addition to what Finanziar said, not all families have the same resources to shop WITHOUT kids. If you're a one car family, you might not be able to do a special Costco trip and might combine it with other family errands.
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u/BoomerSoonerFUT 8h ago
Even though we have two cars, I like shopping with my wife. It’s time we can spend together when I’m not at work, etc.
Our kids are young so we have to bring them generally. Our older two we will leave at home sometimes, but the youngest has to come with us everywhere.
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u/cheap_dates 8h ago
Costco's demographic markets are the nuclear family and multi-generationals with automobiles. Yes, it is often a (cheap) outing for them.
Singles and DINKS are the minority at Big Box stores. Yea, Me!
Multi-gens (3 or more adults often with the same last name, living at the same physical address). Hi Sis!
DINKS (Double Incomes, No Kids)
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u/BoomerSoonerFUT 7h ago
Well yeah it makes sense. Single people and small families don’t need to buy in bulk as much.
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u/nothappening111181 5h ago
Before I was married I would go for the essentials: paper towels, toilet paper, and Dungeness crab legs ;)
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u/kawaiicicle 7h ago
DINK is a new one for me lol
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u/Rammite 7h ago
It's the basis of the Dinkleberg family from The Fairly OddParents. They're DINKs, and their financial success makes the Turner dad jealous.
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u/spitfire451 6h ago
And Mr. Dink from Doug. (Dating myself here) It's why he always had some new expensive toy to show off.
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u/iwannalynch 8h ago
Cheaper than a babysitter
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u/steppedinhairball 8h ago
And the kids get free snacks! Course, that comes with blocking the aisles due to a lack of parenting. Saw a guy lose it on an old guy trying to get through that mumbled under his breath at the complete lack of parenting. The bad parent apparently didn't like being called out for his bad parenting. Management walk the dirt bag out.
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u/b5wolf 8h ago
I brought my 9 y/o shopping with me one time. Just as we were parking, she mentioned she was hungry. I told her we'd stop and get something to eat on the way home.
We went in and they did have samples so she tried a few but really just regular shopping. Finished in about 45 min. Asked where she wanted to go to get something it eat. She was no longer hungry and was happy to just go home, lmao
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u/autumn55femme 6h ago
This needs to happen w-a-y more often. If you want/ need to bring your kids, fine, but your responsibility as a parent does not magically disappear when you scan your card upon entering. No running/ blocking the aisle, no shoving in front of others for samples.
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u/Tesdinic 7h ago
Growing up I lived in the middle of nowhere. We would have to drive an hour to get to the nearest mall, movie theater, Costco, etc. We would just make a day of going as a family.
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u/sth128 8h ago
I literally bring my kids to Costco to distract them. And free snacks for the older one.
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u/UnicornQueenFaye 8h ago
My kids aren’t going to learn to function in society and social settings if I never let them have the ability to practice and get desensitized to reality outside of the home.
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u/Express-Luck-3812 6h ago
Very good point. Hadn’t thought of that at all
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u/BigBaozo 6h ago
Not meant towards you - just in general.
A lot of people have this perspective when it comes to kids - they look at things from a convenience or logistical perspective. People don't understand why parents can't just do XYZ (the list goes on and on, from not flying on shared transit like planes and trains, to restaurants, to hiking trails, to parks). But honestly, most parents' biggest goal is to raise their kids while also living life appropriately. Parenting really does put your time and effort into the child's development. If you have ever wondered "why is there a kid here", sometimes it's negligence, but most of the time it's intentional, and it just sucks to deal with. But it's the only way.
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u/jawapy 6h ago
This is that one of the reasons I drag my kids along with me. How else will they learn to make good purchasing decisions? (Don’t buy the moldy fruit, is this a better deal than other places, are we really going to be able to use this much?)
Also, we get a cheap meal out at the food court. $1.50 babee!
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u/transientdude 5h ago
If you don't feel insane trying to explain the nuance of a good tomato vs a bad tomato to a 5 year old, are you even food shopping?
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u/meatball77 4h ago
Exactly, and there's so much to talk about and learn in a simple market shop. Looking at prices, learning to have self control because you don't need that or it's too expensive. Just looking at something and saying, wow that's expensive is a learning lesson.
Those sorts of trips are also good bonding.
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u/enithermon 6h ago edited 3h ago
I will sometimes pick up my kid before a quick store run for this reason. Let them bag the carrots or put the food on the scale, tap the card and collect the receipt. Gotta get comfortable doing it sometime. The longer they do it the more natural it will be when they’re out on their own and the less anxious they’ll be about just existing as a grown human.
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u/Maus_Sveti 5h ago
Like, god knows I’m not exactly a fan of kids in adult spaces like bars or fancy restaurants, but we’re complaining about kids being in supermarkets now? What next, playgrounds?
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u/Phoebebee323 2h ago
Kids who don't learn to wait in line at the checkouts as toddlers are the same kids in first grade that pushed you off the swing set so they could use it
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u/ImaginaryHoodie 8h ago
Costco is cool and everyone wants to try the little food they give you
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u/Business-Use-7068 8h ago
I wanna go with y'all to Costco. I've never been. We're no longer just bringing the whole family, were also bringing one stranger for a field trip.
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u/ImaginaryHoodie 8h ago
My friends and I (we all don't live with our families anymore) actually made a trip out of this, there is a Costco where we live but is not as common as in USA so only two of us have a membership and also a different two have a car to take us there so six of us got together as a field trip to Costco to eat hotdogs and buy stuff, it was pretty fun
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u/Business-Use-7068 8h ago
We have a Sam's Club near my house, and I got a membership for free once. As a single person living in a tiny condo, It turned out to be very impractical. But I did go with a friend once and we split everything down the middle and did matching meal prep. That was kind of cool.
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u/Rex_Bossman 7h ago
I don't get a lot there as a single guy but ours has a good meat section and the rotisserie chickens are so good!
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u/ImaginaryHoodie 8h ago
Yeah, we're in a similar situation so we don't buy much, but it was great to get a Levi's jeans at a decent price
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u/SirLanceNotsomuch 7h ago
We did this in college all the time. I hadn’t thought about that in 30 years! 😄
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u/Severe_Flan_9729 8h ago
I was happy when my parents dragged me to Costco for that reason.
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u/HepKhajiit 8h ago
Yep between samples and food court after Costco was the least miserable errand. Even though growing up our closest one was almost an hour away it was worth it
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u/TheFirearmsDude 8h ago
Hell I would beg my parents relentlessly for us to go more. I loved going there as a kid.
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u/Strokeslahoma 8h ago
Sometimes a Co worker pops out to Costco during lunch to get something and a bunch of us go to hang and get hot dogs
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u/lilcumfire 7h ago
I used to do this too. Costco right down the road and an inexpensive lunch with coworkers.
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u/cuentaderana 7h ago
My 2 year old has loved Costco since he was big enough to sit in the cart. He loves trying the samples and getting pizza from the food court. Occasionally we will share a sundae after we shop and his little face lights up. It’s a nice little family outing.
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u/bookworm1398 8h ago
They like to spend time together
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u/BigChillBobby 8h ago
some people shop like it’s a mission to get in and out as fast as possible.
other people do it in a way that is more social and leisurely.
Both are valid!
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u/Mission_Fart9750 8h ago
When I shop by myself, I'm in and out, no lolly-gagging. When I shop with other people, it's more about the company than the errand. I hate shopping.
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u/Kingflamingohogwarts 8h ago
I have no idea how OP arrived at their Cosco philosophy. It's good family time.
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u/Interesting_Swan9734 8h ago
My family has never been close, and now I live really far from them anyway. When I go to Costco and see big families shopping and having fun together it always makes me smile, and also wish I had that! If I had family like that, I'd shop with them, too
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u/MindTheLOS 8h ago
Do you know how many posts I see from new adults living on their own for the first time who do not know how to grocery shop?
Grocery shopping with my parents multiple times a week as a kid was how I learned these skills. Which are important ones. How to meal plan, what food to buy, when to buy it, etc.
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u/usagora1 8h ago
At least regarding children, I imagine it's cheaper and more convenient than hiring a babysitter for the kids every time you need to go to Costco 🤷🏼♂️
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u/-Haeralis- 8h ago
“I mean, it’s just a babysitter hired on a moments notice for an hour or two. How much could they cost? $500?”
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u/SpecificAnt9202 8h ago
often i see 2 parents out shopping with a few kids. mom looks miserable juggling everyone while trying to shop and dad is usually spaced out.
i'm pretty sure these are the people OP is talking about. if theres 2 adults in the household with children - you can leave all them at home while you run errands.
i come from a divide and conquer family. its much more efficient and gives each parent an opportunity to have a moment of alone time. my husband runs his errands and i run mine separately. whoever is staying home, stays with the kid.
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u/kman1030 8h ago
if theres 2 adults in the household with children - you can leave all them at home while you run errands.
I'm a father of 2 year old twins, the whole point is to not stay home with the kids. Staying home all day with two 2.5 year old toddlers can be very difficult. Going to the store is a great way to kill two birds with one stone - get the shopping done, and gets the kids out of the house for awhile.
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u/Ender_rpm 6h ago
also a father of (now 16 year old) twins. This, so much this. Get them out of the house, burn off the energy, heck, I left my wife home and took the kids out places so SHE could get a break at home! I used to send so many pics of the kids riding on cases of diapers on the flat carts, good piled around them like a grocery castle.
But they also werent little shits, clogging up the aisles etc. But I have almost never ran into these mythical hellions. Seems to follow the rule: "Everyone meets an a hole from time to time, but if ALL you meet are A holes, it ain't them"
Keep on keeping on dad, it gets better. My kids are goofy and awesome and even at 16 we all have a very close bond and love spending time together. On our Costco sofa XD
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u/SaltedMango613 8h ago
This! My kids are on their best behaviour when there are lots of witnesses around, so they go everywhere.
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u/murphy10987 7h ago
Kids don't learn how to act in public unless they are expose to the public. Even with two parents you are doing them a disservice never taking them out of the house.
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u/user2196 8h ago
Sometimes it’s convenient to divide and conquer, but I also genuinely like taking my kid to the grocery store. It’s fun to knock out some shopping together while my wife does something else, and then my alone time can be something else that’s harder to do with a kid in tow.
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u/seattle747 8h ago
We were the same way (divide and conquer) until our kids became old enough to stay home when one or both of us went.
It was just WAY easier to zip in and out when flying solo, both of the one who went and for everyone else.
I wonder if part of that may be because we’re just 15-20 minutes away. We live on the outskirts of town, so beyond us is mostly rural folks who may need to combine errands.
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u/SpecificAnt9202 8h ago
my daughter is now 14yo and i still don't want her or my husband grocery shopping with me.
its one thing if i just have to run in for something. but the weekly stock up? i do that alone. i don't need them distracting me or adding junk food into the cart. they always make my bill more expensive than it needs to be or i forget things if they're with me. so i avoid it like the plague and have been like this even before having a kid.
but once i had a kid - going to the grocery store counted as alone time to me! that was my time to get a break, put in ear buds and efficiently get things done. obviously i would also go to other stores and really take advantage of being out alone! haha
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u/aculady 7h ago
How is your daughter learning to shop if you don't take her with you and let her participate in the process? Do you not make a grocery list so you don't forget things?
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u/Phoneconnect4859 8h ago
My kids enjoy spending time with me and like to go where I go.
Plus they have to, because they’re not old enough to be home alone.
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u/Nice_Promise9854 7h ago
This is the first answer that resonates with me.
I like my kid and my husband and we like spending time together. We’re busy all week with our own stuff, so we run errands together when we are together.
I got married so that I could hang out with my best friend all the time and we could do mundane things together.
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u/Level_9_Turtle 7h ago
It’s not the bringing of the whole family, it’s the walking 3-4 abreast down the aisle. Jesus, form a line that doesn’t make the rest of the world go around you.
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u/cathercules 4h ago
Right, this is where I am at. Have some self awareness, please keep an eye on the kids and make sure they’re not blocking the aisle.
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u/RockMover12 7h ago
Most of the responses here relate to Mom and Dad bringing the kids, but I assume OP was referring to the grandparents and great-grandparents coming, too. I especially see this with immigrant families. And the answer is 1) togetherness and 2) they’re shopping for multiple family units off one Costco membership.
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u/The001Keymaster 8h ago
People are out with their family doing stuff and need some butter and are near the store they shop at.
Do they drive home , drop people off, drive back to get butter, drive back home, drop butter off, pick up family again, leave house and continue with the family outing day?
Or
Go in and buy the butte with their family?
Which one makes more sense to you? Also some families like each other and enjoy spending time together.
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u/MongoBongoTown 8h ago
The hardest part of any outing is getting my wife and kids up, dressed, and out the door.
Once we're out, we're doing all the stuff on the list with no intermissions.
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u/Totally_Scott 8h ago
Is this really that hard to figure out? Life is complicated. We're all doing the best we can.
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u/Mando_lorian81 8h ago
Were you ever a kid?
I wanted to go everywhere with my parents, lol. Specially the supermarket, so I could have them buy me snacks or toys.
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u/Last_Cold5844 6h ago
Of course I was, but my mother taught me proper etiquette in public and did not treat stores and other places like they were daycare for her and told me how to act I was not allowed to act like a fucking crazy person in a grocery store a restaurant a department store a movie theater I was taught how to act hey this is a grocery store. We can’t run around crazy here like we’re at the park. We have to use our inside voice in the store but parents these days don’t teach their children. Anything they say hey we’re at Costco run around like you’re a park except it’s not a park. It’s a grocery store. People are just trying to get food man.
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u/Disneyhorse 6h ago
I try and bring my kids because I WANT to buy them snacks… but snacks THEY actually WANT. I don’t want to buy a huge box of snacks, bring it home, and find out they don’t like the flavor or something.
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u/jshamwow 8h ago
I think it’s good for kids to go on errands with their parents. It teaches them about the world and how to navigate social spaces. It also teaches them patience because errands are often boring. But they need to learn patience somewhere
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u/cd1014 7h ago
We're really pushing the boundaries of this sub's title. "hey reddit, why do family units stick together and inconvenience me while I'm trying to shop?". Maybe if you'll let everyone know that you're going to Costco we can get out of your way! Wouldn't that be nice?
Answer: because they also want to shop at Costco
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u/markjay6 5h ago
Yeah, that was my first reaction too. Maybe the thread title isn't true after all! 🤣
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u/Accurate-Temporary73 8h ago
Because sometimes the kids are cooped up in the house all day and it’s nice to just get them out while doing chores. Plus they can help carry stuff or go to tower aisles and get stuff.
Me personally I enjoy grocery shopping and have no problem doing it alone but I enjoy the kids being there to.
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u/Memasefni 7h ago
For most of our kids’ childhood we lived away from family. There was nowhere to leave them. We did EVERYTHING as a family.
Why do you believe that children and family members should be isolated from society?
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u/OnlyThePhantomKnows 8h ago
1) If it is a herd, the non-child wrangling parent may not be able to manage the herd on their own.
2) It is a cheap meal out. 1.69 for hotdog and a drink. Pizza slices are cheap. Drinks are cheap. It lets the kids eat out for a modest price. A happy meal is $5-8. For 6 kids and 2 adults, you are looking at $100.
Those same 8 people can do for $20-30.
3) It is an adventure. Try this food kids! You like it? No. Okay. We won't get it. Yes? Okay... <checks price> We can get it.
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u/Azdak66 I ain't sayin' I'm better than you are...but maybe I am 8h ago
I live only 10 min from a Costco and so for me it’s not a “destination” trip—I go there frequently. I try to avoid weekends, since I am retired, but that is not always possible. Sometimes the families with kids can be a bit annoying to maneuver around. But I think of the exact reasons you describe, and just keep smiling.
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u/DrBodyguard 7h ago
Why do you care? And I'm asking genuinely. People take their kids with them to places. That's just how life works.
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u/Excellent-Run4803 6h ago
Some people are perpetually confused as to why children exist out in the world. When you have kids, they’re just part of your life. They go on errands, eat at restaurants, fly on airplanes, etc like normal humans.
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u/DrBodyguard 6h ago
Like I don't have kids and even I know that they are going to be in places where I will be
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u/green_speak 6h ago
OP is definitely one of those "Excuse YOU, I pay an EXCLUSIVE membership fee to be here" customers that my family members, who actually work at Costco, hate for their sense of entitlement. Sorry families also shop at your store, OP. Maybe get the Executive membership next time and shop at 9AM before they let the plebs in.
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u/simongurfinkel 8h ago
We all like to enjoy our $1.50 hotdogs while warm and fresh. They don't hit the same when you bring em home.
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u/newAccount2022_2014 8h ago
My parents used to take me to Costco as a kid and now I'm grown and about to start a family myself! I got free samples, pretended I was shopping for furniture, looked at what they had going on the TV's. It just gets the kids a little outing for the price of groceries you were already going to buy. Plus, it's good for kids to get familiar with what shopping includes. It's just good practice to look for items on a list, look at prices, get smart about brand name vs store brand, etc.
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u/helbury 8h ago
Exactly. My kids are old enough that I can leave them home alone, but I still take them to Costco at times anyways. I show them how I stick to a grocery budget, look at unit prices, look for expiration dates, etc.
Reddit loves to call people bad parents for not adequately teaching their kids how the world works. Sure, I could just tell my kids how I stick to a grocery budget, but it’s a better lesson if they can actually see how this works while I’m shopping. So why wouldn’t I take my kids to Costco?
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u/TheApiary 8h ago
Sometimes there's one parent around so they have to bring the kids if they're going someplace. Sometimes they need to go to costco, and they need to get the kids out of the house, so combining those is just efficient
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u/ElGuano 8h ago
Costco is super fun to walk around. They've got huge OLED big screens, computers/tablets, huge steaks and rotisseries, and the entire family can get in on $1.50 hot dogs and sodas.
OP, get that stick out of your behind. Costco is an awesome place to take the whole family shopping.
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u/cuentaderana 7h ago
And they draw a smiley face on your receipt if you have kids! Our son loves holding onto the receipt for us and getting a happy face from the employee on the way out. He says it’s his favorite.
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u/Vindicated0721 6h ago
Did this guy just say Costco and quick trip? Maybe my Costco is different but every time you enter the Costco parking lot it’s all out war.
If I just wanted to run to Costco for some eggs it would take me close the half hour while I brave the crazy parking lot. Wait in line and I enter the store to prove my membership to Costco special ops security. Walk about a half mile to the back of the store to enter the frozen tundra section of the store. Grab some eggs. Stand in a line that actually goes to the back of the store. Finally get to the cashier. Prove my membership again before I can buy my eggs (in case the special ops team up front failed I guess). After I pay I get to stand in line again to show the special ops read guard my receipt to prove I paid for my eggs. All while dodging some random people asking if I want to upgrade my cell phone or get a new energy efficient roof or something.
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u/Hitthereset 8h ago
Costco isn’t a “run in and grab” establishment for our family. If we really needed just one or two of something then one of us would go to Walmart or another such business. Costco is for stocking up.
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u/mind_the_umlaut 8h ago
It's entertainment and an excursion out. I loved going to the grocery store with my mother.
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u/SoImaRedditUserNow 8h ago
Just what families do. Its an occasion. Plus I imagine there is a certain amount of "can't get someone to stay with the kids for just 20 mins" involved. And, of course, you don't know that this is the only destination in this outing. There could be a whole slew of stops the fam is making.
Though you can be sure that at least one of the kids does not want to be there (I recall my family being like this when growing up, and I definitely did not want to go to the store)
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u/notTheRealSU 7h ago
People talking about parents just bringing their kids because of a one car situation or not having child care or whatever, but I want to know what's up with people bringing their whole family to Costco.
This 20 person family did not come in one car and half of them could've been left home to watch the kids. You do not need grandma, grandpa, 5 cousins, and your uncle on this trip. You've only got one cart with you, you're all pissed off about something, the toddler wearing no pants things it's time to play hide and seek, and clearly nobody wants to be there. Now there's a mosh pit in front of the gallon jugs of mayonnaise and I can't get by.
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u/ActuatorOutside5256 7h ago
That’s actually what I was getting at. From the replies, it seems that it’s low effort “get together” time for people that work long hours, don’t make much money, and have little time for socializing outside of work. They get things done while getting together. It’s kind of wholesome actually.
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u/sluflyer06 8h ago
I know this may shock some people, but we actually like spending time with eachother (my wife and I) AND our kids. I'm already at work all day, and I travel for weeklong trips frequently, and kids are at school. Going and doing errands alone is just even more time the family isn't spending time together.
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u/purlveyor 8h ago
My kids LOVE the snacks and my wife worries about me losing my shit being alone with two small kids at the store. So she comes along. It isn’t necessary but it’s nice time spent together
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u/No_Fan_gets_banned 8h ago
I have no issues with the entire family right down to Great Aunt Gladys going, but that’s if the family isn’t rudely blocking the isles or letting the kids run free like they’re at a park. I’ve seen a family of 5 or 6 in there with the kids all single file and behaving but I’ve also had kids run into my cart while playing a very intense game of tag. Funny how when their kids get hurt after running face first into my cart, I’m the one getting dirty looks from mom or dad. People shouldn’t have to dodge your bratty kids (who for some reason like to run while looking behind them) when they’re just trying to get their shopping done.
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u/Darnbeasties 7h ago
Cheap family outing. No babysitters needed so you can go shopping. Convenience
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u/Complex_Tart4759 8h ago
The better question is why do entire families shop at any grocery. My favorite store is aldi, but I hate when a family of 5 clogs up every aisle. Even husbands and wives bug me. He and the cart are on one side of the aisle and she is right beside the cart, completely blocking the aisle
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u/chunkyofhunky 8h ago
I love wandering about costco and stealthily climbing the pallets (dont tell them) and eating samples and staring at cookies. Im always with my family at costco but you will never see me with them.
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u/something-strange999 8h ago
My family loves Costco, it our "happiest place on earth". Having said that, we are good Costco patrons..fast, polite, dont cut rhe sample line, have that card ready when needed, dont block the aisle, always get a drink/fries for the car.
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u/KayakerMel 8h ago
You would have been annoyed by my blended family growing up. My father and stepmother dragged everybody along on errands. Blended family, so me and my sister, two stepsisters, and 1-2 baby half-siblings. I did find it incredibly embarrassing to be this mass of people taking up space in stores. I'd attempt to walk more in a line so we'd be more compact, but only my sister and I really cared about inconveniencing others.
So why? Because the parents make that choice. Also it's not permitted to leave kids in cars unattended or at home alone, even if it would make the errand go quicker.
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u/onceuponamidnight315 8h ago
With the amount of money we spend at Costco, we are getting a family outing out of it and trying to use samples as a lunch for the kids.
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u/brzantium 7h ago
Parenting is hard. If one person goes to the store, the other person has to parent alone. Compromise is everyone goes to the store.
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u/RelativelyRidiculous 7h ago
They might bring the whole family so they can all take advantage of the cheap food court options for lunch or dinner or even just a snack while they're there. I used to occasionally even just go in for a fast cheap lunch with my kids when they were growing up.
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u/zoenphlux 7h ago
Well, usually other adults want to go too and see what's there. Kids are with them because you can't leave them ankel biters at home. lol
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u/thediscoursebrand 6h ago
Don't want to leave one parent with three kids at home. It's winter and the kids are restless so here's a giant indoor walking space to wear them down. Samples. Kids engage with cool stuff on display. Engage kids on why it's neither smart or financially feasible to buy everything you like. Social skills. Motor skills. Teaching kids to maneuver in an environment that you don't own and the politeness and contextual awareness that'll serve them well.
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u/AWanderingSoul 6h ago
For me it's to save gas because I am already near the store and the kid is in the car. Would I rather dump him and his sour teen aged attitude off? Yes! Am I willing to waste the time and gas to drive across town to do said dumping? No!
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u/Embarrassed_Wrap8421 5h ago
We let our membership go—it was just too horrible. Small parking lot, screaming children, hideous traffic all the time, even on weekdays.
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u/freeze45 4h ago
The real answer is because not everyone has a Costco membership. So, every once in awhile family members ask to go with the one person who has a membership. That's why you see so many groups going together.
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u/VapoursAndSpleen 1h ago
People aren't going to hire a baby sitter to go to a store. It's not a movie. It's not a restaurant. It's not an opera. It's the store.
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u/consulent-finanziar 8h ago
For a lot of people it’s less about efficiency and more that it doubles as low effort time together, especially when errands are one of the few things everyone’s already doing anyway.