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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I cooking shit or being stingy??

467 replies

Hydranga · 06/08/2026 13:44

Currently on holiday with my sister, her husband, their 8 year old DS Amanda 14 year old daughter

i had originally booked it for just me, DH and Ds (8) but I invited them last minute at no cost to them as sister was stressed about money and not being able to take the kids out.

They have complained non stop about the food. First evening we got a takeaway but first morning they asked what was for breakfast so I said I had porridge or Greek yogurt and fruit and nuts. BIL burst out laughing saying “so it’s either prison food or bird food?”. Sister said “don’t you have anything in for the kids?” So I said I’d got the porridge for the kids and I have honey, jam or Nutella to stir into it. Teen rolled her eyes and sister said “I’ll go to shop later and get something in”. Was it really so bad???

that evening I made spaghetti bolognese. 75g dry pasta each and a 600g pack of mince shared between us all with mushrooms, bacon and various veggies. When I served it BIL pulled a face and said where’s the rest of it? They all started laughing - teen dramatically pulled a bit up from her plate and let it fall back down slowly whilst pulling a face. Sister said “what’s up with you?” And teen said “it tastes funny”. They all laughed.

I was getting pissed off at this point and told them they’re welcome to buy and cook their own food if they’d prefer. BIL said “oh here we go, here’s the catch” so I said no I’m more than happy to carry on buying and cooking but not to be insulted and laughed at. DH then decided to tell everyone I’m always on weird diets which isn’t true, I have ibs so I do try and restrict certain things but he made it out to be about weight loss which it isn’t. DS said he likes the food and DN said “yeah but you’re used to eating crap”

So yesterday I refused to cook. They’d bought their own cereals but when it came to evening meal I told them I was cooking a curry for us 3 so they might want to pop to shop and get something in which they did and came back with dohnuts and loads of sweet food. Fair enough.

tonight sister had told me she can’t afford to go back to shop as they hadn’t budgeted for repeated shopping trips. I’ve told her I’m cooking paella and they’re welcome to join us without insults. She said she’d talk to them.

as of 10 minutes ago teen was still asking what was for dinner so she clearly daren’t tell her.

Am I really cooking shit or being stingy?? I’m starting to wonder if it’s me

OP posts:
SilveryBear · 06/08/2026 13:55

Your food and cooking sounds absolutely fine.
They (and I include your husband in this) sound like rude, ungrateful fuckers.

They all need to learn some basic manners. ASAP. They can all fuck off immediately and fend for themselves.

Your DS, however, sounds great.

FeliciaFancybottom · 06/08/2026 13:55

Hydranga · 06/08/2026 13:48

I love cooking. I purposely got somewhere with a nice big kitchen for this reason. DS and I are baking this afternoon.

Bonkers.

pasturesgreen · 06/08/2026 13:54

No good deed goes unpunished, eh?

If they don't like the food they're more than welcome to fuck off sort out their own.

I couldn't fathom being so astonishingly rude to anyone, never mind my own sister who'd generously invited me and my family on holiday.

TheRealMagic · 06/08/2026 13:54

Your food sounds neither stingy nor shit but also they'd be being incredibly rude even if it were.

Given you've paid for accommodation I would offer to cover all the food in their situation, but at the very least you should be taking it in turns. I would be saying that it was their turn to cook for everyone, and I wouldn't be particularly inclined to hold back on any criticisms I had of what they made.

Banalas · 06/08/2026 13:54

What are they used to eating? There might be a clue about why they’re broke if they all turn their noses up at homemade food.

TeenLifeMum · 06/08/2026 13:54

I’ve just checked and my mince for bolognaise is 750g and that’s for 5 people so it’s a bit low for 7. I also like Greek yogurt and fruit for breakfast (teens have weetabix) but recently had guests shocked we didn’t have bread for toast. Didn’t occur to me as they hadn’t specified. They were fine with it but it was clear we had to go and get bread.

Holiday on your own next time.

Ineffable23 · 06/08/2026 13:52

Why on earth wouldn't they be able to afford any food while they're away. Surely they eat food at home? And also surely inviting people on holiday free doesn't imply they won't have to share food costs. Gosh I would really struggle to keep my temper in your situation.

PandorasBoxers · 06/08/2026 13:51

How incredibly rude of them, you don’t sound stingy all.

SwirlyGates · 06/08/2026 13:51

Doesn't matter if your cooking is terrible or not. If they don't like it they can buy and make their own. (Why aren't they contributing to the food shopping anyway? They'd have to buy food if they were at home.)

ShakaWhenTheWallsFell · 06/08/2026 13:51

They're free to leave

Charlotte120221 · 06/08/2026 13:50

Are you in the UK?

Am puzzled that they can't afford repeated shopping trips - surely they'd have to feed themselves if they were at home??

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 06/08/2026 13:49

Tell them to fuck off. They sound unbearable.

Loulou4022 · 06/08/2026 13:49

They are so feckin cheeky it’s unreal!! They are not contributing financially or practically to the food and they have the nerve to be moaning about it rather than being feckin grateful! I certainly wouldn’t be inviting them again!!

Hydranga · 06/08/2026 13:48

FeliciaFancybottom · 06/08/2026 13:46

Why on earth are you cooking so much on holiday? It's meant to be time away from that surely!

I love cooking. I purposely got somewhere with a nice big kitchen for this reason. DS and I are baking this afternoon.

OP posts:
Echointhedarkness · 06/08/2026 13:47

It’s not you, they are unbelievably rude and ungrateful.

FeliciaFancybottom · 06/08/2026 13:46

Why on earth are you cooking so much on holiday? It's meant to be time away from that surely!

Hydranga · 06/08/2026 13:46

Should add I also had garlic bread to go with the spaghetti

OP posts:
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