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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to let my children use all inclusive on a group holiday?

489 replies

AIvSC · 12/07/2026 21:45

Against my better judgement I agreed to a group holiday. Mixture of family and friends all know each other well. All have children ranging from baby-16

My BIL organised it but we all booked separately.

He sent a link to an all inclusive resort and that's what I and half of the group booked.

BIL and the half booked the same hotel but self catering.

It was £600 more for AI- which as we are here for 8 days works out as less than £20 per person per day (four of us)

First night was fine as we all went out for dinner but today has been hell.

We have had a pool day and my kids have been able to get snacks/drinks/etc as they like but to purchase it all is quite expensive.

We've just come back from dinner- which was 'free' for us but not for them and were told it wasn't fair if our kids used the AI.

I asked why they didn't book the AI and they said they didn't like AI- but they were at dinner having the same food as us.

I don't want to be say to our kids that they can't use the AI but equally don't want to fall out. I enquired how much it would cost to upgrade to AI and it was 2200€ per family.

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 13/07/2026 00:31

BurnTheWholeThingDown · 12/07/2026 21:49

This is the most batshit insane thing I’ve read all day, and the competition has been stiff.

Tell them to fuck off and stop being such complete fucknuggets. Don’t give them any hint that this is at all an acceptable request. It’s not.

I think the abve sums it up nicely.

Don't tolerate this nonsense for one single second.

You've paid for your children's food and now they want you to ban you children from having it just to make them feel better. INSANE

"No I won't be doing that and you need to mind your own business" on repeat.

And go to dinner before them, at different table.

The Absolute fools.

Holidaymodeon · 13/07/2026 00:27

Just carry on as you are. It’s your holiday with your kids

Luvnhugs · 13/07/2026 00:27

This reminds me of why I'd never agree to this type of holiday. 🙄

tachetastic · 13/07/2026 00:21

AIvSC · 12/07/2026 21:45

Against my better judgement I agreed to a group holiday. Mixture of family and friends all know each other well. All have children ranging from baby-16

My BIL organised it but we all booked separately.

He sent a link to an all inclusive resort and that's what I and half of the group booked.

BIL and the half booked the same hotel but self catering.

It was £600 more for AI- which as we are here for 8 days works out as less than £20 per person per day (four of us)

First night was fine as we all went out for dinner but today has been hell.

We have had a pool day and my kids have been able to get snacks/drinks/etc as they like but to purchase it all is quite expensive.

We've just come back from dinner- which was 'free' for us but not for them and were told it wasn't fair if our kids used the AI.

I asked why they didn't book the AI and they said they didn't like AI- but they were at dinner having the same food as us.

I don't want to be say to our kids that they can't use the AI but equally don't want to fall out. I enquired how much it would cost to upgrade to AI and it was 2200€ per family.

Sorry @AIvSC but in what is likely to be the hottest year in history they are expecting your kids to go without the drinks that you have already paid for, just because they are too tight to pay for their own kids?

Well you know what you can say to that.

And I am confused by the reference to "free" that I see in some of your posts. Nobody is getting anything for free. You have just chosen to pre-pay for your drinks and meals while they chose to pay as they go. You are both paying for everything. They chose to gamble and it sounds like in this case it didn't pay off.

I say that because if you keep using the word "free" then you are buying into their narrative that you are getting something extra, whereas they need to understand that this is simply their own choice and they need to stump up now or have some very grumpy and dehydrated kids.

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/07/2026 00:09

Fucknuggets

love it

why did it cost you another £600 but now will cost them £2220 to upgrade

has he asked the other half of group who booked ai to not use it or just you

he’s insane

but yes ai for kids is well worth it. An ice cream. A coke. A slushy. Water all add so

AnonyMumAuDHD · 13/07/2026 00:07

It’s nuts - surely they know that they could upgrade to AI at reception and have the same deal? Then their kids could do as they like and they’d actually pay less at the end? Or are they just not good at maths?

Cyclebabble · 12/07/2026 23:57

You pays your money and you take your choice. The advantages to going AI are that you can munch and drink all day and everything is already paid for. I sometimes do this and sometimes do SC or half board. I really do not think anyone can complain that that you are enjoying AI when they are not given you paid for it. The challenge though is with the kids. A bit more awkward with them as they are maybe too young to understand the difference. However I really do not think that is your problem. Relatives should have thought about this.

2Rebecca · 12/07/2026 23:48

I wouldn’t go on holiday with them again. Anyone who likes ordering women and children around like that is not someone I would want to socialise with

murasaki · 12/07/2026 23:44

AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:35

You probably are right but I was caught in the headlights and didn't know what to say.

Had I read this thread I think I would have said. 'don't be ridiculous you fucknugget' 😂

Show quote history

You can still say it tomorrow!

rosiebr · 12/07/2026 23:43

I would reply ‘we’ve paid £80 per day up front for the AI and you are just buying the drinks one by one instead, it’s not big deal, it’s just a different way of paying for it’. Holidays with kids mean lots of drinks and snacks, they either need to pay up or go to a supermarket; which is standard practice on SC holidays.

desperatemum1234 · 12/07/2026 23:38

Well they can fuck off, can’t they! You wanted AI, paid for AI, so you’re damn well using the fucking AI!

youvemadeyourpoint · 12/07/2026 23:37

AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:35

You probably are right but I was caught in the headlights and didn't know what to say.

Had I read this thread I think I would have said. 'don't be ridiculous you fucknugget' 😂

Show quote history

😂

No reason not to use that one tomorrow. It’s very funny! You never know he may even laugh!

icingonmycupcake · 12/07/2026 23:37

Why should your kids be penalised? You paid for the extras. That's why people go AI fgs.

AbzMoz · 12/07/2026 23:36

Did he expect you to have booked sc, or that you’d bung his family a few freebies?

The ai-upgrade price seems ludicrous - is it worth saying he knows the rate is £20pp/day from your invoice so can they exceptionally honour that?
Failing that, if it’s a sc apartment it’s up to him to run to the supermarket and stock up on drinks/icecreams for his kids - they just nip back to the room for them. His instruction to your kid is bonkers - it’s his booking, his kids, his snacks budget…

Original poster
AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:35

youvemadeyourpoint · 12/07/2026 23:32

It is a genius phrase but I’m not so sure in this instance. The conversation will be more awkward tomorrow, rather than nipping it in the bud at the time with ‘Oh stop it. The kids have been looking forward to asking for what they want, when they want, without our involvement. You’ll just have to grow longer arms for those deep pockets!’

Show quote history

You probably are right but I was caught in the headlights and didn't know what to say.

Had I read this thread I think I would have said. 'don't be ridiculous you fucknugget' 😂

OP posts:
Pigtailsandall · 12/07/2026 23:35

BurnTheWholeThingDown · 12/07/2026 21:49

This is the most batshit insane thing I’ve read all day, and the competition has been stiff.

Tell them to fuck off and stop being such complete fucknuggets. Don’t give them any hint that this is at all an acceptable request. It’s not.

Fucknugget is a fantastic (and apt) word

ChickenBananaBanana · 12/07/2026 23:35

When he brings it back up op, you laugh and say oh silly.goose you came up with that corker yesterday! ...oh wait you were being serious? I thought a request that ridiculous had to be a joke..

Original poster
AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:33

Viviennemary · 12/07/2026 23:29

What exactly are you asking. If its what should you do. Of course you should use the AI as you've paid for it. What do they want you to do. To pay to eat elsewhere with them? Madness.

I don't know, I was just cross and hot. But yes I just wanted to check I wasn't being unreasonable to let my kids keep using the AI

I've cooled down in the room now and I'm going to bed. Thanks all.

OP posts:
youvemadeyourpoint · 12/07/2026 23:32

AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:25

I said what my mother taught me - let me think about it.

It is a genius phrase, I use it on the kids all the time when I don't know quite how I want to answer. It infuriated me when I was a kid but I see the benefit now, and I always do think about it and answer. I will answer my bil tomorrow.

Show quote history

It is a genius phrase but I’m not so sure in this instance. The conversation will be more awkward tomorrow, rather than nipping it in the bud at the time with ‘Oh stop it. The kids have been looking forward to asking for what they want, when they want, without our involvement. You’ll just have to grow longer arms for those deep pockets!’

Viviennemary · 12/07/2026 23:29

What exactly are you asking. If its what should you do. Of course you should use the AI as you've paid for it. What do they want you to do. To pay to eat elsewhere with them? Madness.

Saz12 · 12/07/2026 23:26

You already paid for the drinks, ice creams, etc. If they chose payg, then thats wgat they need to do.

Original poster
AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:25

LifeTakeTwo · 12/07/2026 23:16

What did you reply when they said this?!

Batshit self entitled behaviour.

I said what my mother taught me - let me think about it.

It is a genius phrase, I use it on the kids all the time when I don't know quite how I want to answer. It infuriated me when I was a kid but I see the benefit now, and I always do think about it and answer. I will answer my bil tomorrow.

OP posts:
blubberyboo · 12/07/2026 23:20

@AIvSC your family is just cross at themselves for not booking AI.

keep pointing out that yours is not free, you’ve paid for it.

and now would be a good time for them to teach their kids the value of money and why they can’t have what others have

Bestfootforward11 · 12/07/2026 23:19

AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:09

No they just want me to limit it to when they are willing to buy stuff.

Show quote history

Still completely unreasonable in my view. Hold your ground!

Original poster
AIvSC · 12/07/2026 23:19

SallyD00lally · 12/07/2026 22:59

They are being bat shit.

But so are you if you have to check with Mumsnet that it’s ok for your kids to use the AI you paid for.

If you were all on Family Fortunes you’d be the Bat-Shit family.

Ok second laugh of the day.

My DH laughed that I ran to MN, but I was cross and it is easier to vent on here before organising myself for tomorrow.

To a pp, no, normally he isn't an idiot. I do genuinely like him.

OP posts: