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AIBU?

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To be annoyed with MIL's almost out of date chicken?

228 replies

MrCollinsandhisboiledpotatoes · 18/05/2026 09:55

Last night, about 4pm, MIL turns up while I was out with a pack of chicken breasts with the use by date of yesterday, puts them in our fridge and says they have to be eaten today (yesterday) as it's the last day. DH tells me when I get home that there's chicken in the fridge that must be eaten tonight.
I'm like, OK.... But I have stuff I had planned for dinner tonight and all week in fact, and I've got my own use-by dates on the stuff I bought and the week's dinners planned accordingly and now you're going to throw that all out of whack because we have to eat MIL's chicken instead, because of her poor planning and/or reluctance to throw out her own shit, you acting like her food waste bin?
But DH thinks we should be grateful?
Who's side are you on?

OP posts:
BestZebbie · 18/05/2026 09:57

If DH is grateful it sounds as if he thinks she is saving you money by replacing a meal that you'd have needed to buy otherwise - perhaps he needs to gain a deeper understanding of how the system actually works and how she is actually not doing that, plus also reducing your ability to choose what meal suits your family best.

CasperGutman · 18/05/2026 09:57

Personally I'd cook MIL's chicken, freeze it and plan a meal around it for next week.

Yes, I'd find this a bit annoying especially if it happens regularly. But at the same time - free chicken!

DappledThings · 18/05/2026 09:57

Doesn't seem like a needing to take sides issue. Awaiting backstory of why your MIL is just awful and constantly ruins your life.

It's a bit annoying yes, no more than that. There must be something else you can whack in the freezer and use this chicken in place of this week.