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Original poster

DS15 Used a Green Apple to Roll His Foot After Hike – Am I Overreacting?

524 replies

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:07

So, we just got back from a weekend in the Lake District with our two lads (15 and 11) and another family. We all did Scafell Pike together, and it was brilliant... but when we got back to the hotel, my DS15 said his feet were aching after the hike. To try and ease the pain, he decided to put a green apple on the floor and roll his bare foot back and forth over it. It’s something he does at home with a tennis ball after football training, and it really helps with muscle soreness.

Now, here’s the thing: we didn’t have a tennis ball, so he used an apple instead. I get that he was trying to relieve the pain, but when I saw him doing it, I was a bit miffed. The apple obviously had to go straight in the bin after – it ended up all soft and stinky! I just feel like if he thought he was going to need something like that, he should’ve remembered to bring a tennis ball.

Am I being unreasonable to be a bit frustrated about it, or am I overreacting? I know he was trying to help himself, but I just can’t help thinking it was a bit... well, a waste to use an apple!

OP posts:
Hummingbird10 · 14/10/2025 23:13

Yes.. you weee overreacting. He's probably got Planter Fasciitis. He was in pain. It's one apple. Let it go.

myfitbitisfucked · 14/10/2025 23:14

Jesus wept

Ratafia · 14/10/2025 23:19

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:25

Thanks for the replies! Just to clarify, my frustration isn’t about my son trying to relieve his foot pain – it’s that the apple got squashed and wasted. It was perfectly good fruit that could’ve been eaten later, and now it’s just gone. I know he was trying to help himself, but it just feels wasteful, especially when we could’ve used it for a snack on the hike.

So what was your alternative? Was there something else available that he could have used, or should he have just put up with the pain?

coupebaby · 14/10/2025 23:19

disturbia · 14/10/2025 18:13

I think you have made this one up OP or Mumsnet's AI is being silly nobody is that mean.

I said the same I think this is AI BUTTTTTin saying that I’ve had a quick flick through some replies, naturally 99.9% are all
normal logical thinking people who see this whole post and the actual whinging over an apple as batshit nuts in the highest form, however there is that 0.1% crazy weirdos in here who agree with OP 😳😳 I’ve no idea why I’m even shocked at that, the way people have gone over the past 5 years, nothing should be surprising but yes, I was still wide eyed at the few in there who were horrified at the waste 😂😂 Independentfriend, canchewcashew. Lovewine123 and newsenmum were a few I read who are as weird as OP, so maybe it is a real person who wrote it 🤣🤣

Thequeenbee2025 · 14/10/2025 23:20

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:07

So, we just got back from a weekend in the Lake District with our two lads (15 and 11) and another family. We all did Scafell Pike together, and it was brilliant... but when we got back to the hotel, my DS15 said his feet were aching after the hike. To try and ease the pain, he decided to put a green apple on the floor and roll his bare foot back and forth over it. It’s something he does at home with a tennis ball after football training, and it really helps with muscle soreness.

Now, here’s the thing: we didn’t have a tennis ball, so he used an apple instead. I get that he was trying to relieve the pain, but when I saw him doing it, I was a bit miffed. The apple obviously had to go straight in the bin after – it ended up all soft and stinky! I just feel like if he thought he was going to need something like that, he should’ve remembered to bring a tennis ball.

Am I being unreasonable to be a bit frustrated about it, or am I overreacting? I know he was trying to help himself, but I just can’t help thinking it was a bit... well, a waste to use an apple!

Utter overreaction and waste of a post - yatah

HeartyStork · 14/10/2025 23:22

WTH have I just read, it's an APPLE And what does the colour have to do with it... This is not a hill to die on OP. I think you should be more impressed that he improvised. He's 15 give the lad a break. And no I probably wouldn't expect him to remember a tennis ball. Jesus the only reason my 17 YR olds heads still on, is cause it's attached to his body...
I kinda gather you don't like the thought of food been wasted. But it really isn't the end of the world.

Solerina · 14/10/2025 23:25

ZBFan · 13/10/2025 14:46

That apple could have fed a teeny tiny mumsnetters family for a week.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

DetectiveDouche · 14/10/2025 23:35

Bloody hell... I have no words... this is REALLY worth a mumsnet post? Are you sure this is what you intended to post about??!?

BlackCoffeeAndSugar · 14/10/2025 23:37

I'd be delighted my son wanted to do things like big walks/hikes instead of gaming 24/7. And that he was proactive enough to find something to help his recovery from exercise.

Woofie7 · 14/10/2025 23:43

EveryKneeShallBow · 13/10/2025 14:08

I think it was a good bit of lateral thinking problem solving.

I agree

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 14/10/2025 23:53

I don't think I could get worked up this year... you practically fall over apples anytime you leave your house.

Is it a waste? To do something like throw it against a wall to watch it explode would be wasteful, but to use it to alleviate a physical pain is... using it. Just not in its common way.

bumbaloo · 14/10/2025 23:55

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:25

Thanks for the replies! Just to clarify, my frustration isn’t about my son trying to relieve his foot pain – it’s that the apple got squashed and wasted. It was perfectly good fruit that could’ve been eaten later, and now it’s just gone. I know he was trying to help himself, but it just feels wasteful, especially when we could’ve used it for a snack on the hike.

It wasn’t wasted though. It was used just not in the way you thought it would be.

If I used frozen peas for a sprained ankle or olive oil and salt to scrub my skin would you be outraged because I used them ‘wrong’?

Blades2 · 14/10/2025 23:58

It’s. An. Apple.

and he’s 15, he wouldn’t think to pack the tennis ball, why didn’t you?

Baffy11 · 15/10/2025 00:02

Seriously? It was one apple....

I'm applauding his or her resourcefulness.

Baffy11 · 15/10/2025 00:04

(And to answer your question: yes you are)

Theslummymummy · 15/10/2025 00:34

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:25

I also worry it’s not a great example for my younger son (11) to see him just waste food like that.

He didn't waste it. Oh to have your problems.

PrincessFairyWren · 15/10/2025 00:55

TwistyTurnip · 14/10/2025 20:56

This - will bells on. I think a lot worse of people who buy takeaway coffee and don’t use reusable cups. An apple that will decompose and not end up in landfill? Nah.

Show quote history

Actually if you throw an apple into landfill it won't decompose. If you put it in the compost bin it does because there is oxygen circulating around. That is why people aerate their compost. If you chuck it in a hole and bury it then it is just landfill.

JRM17 · 15/10/2025 01:16

I think you're fking bonkers, I mean I thought it was a slight over reaction and then I saw your further comment about it being a bad example for the 11 Yr old, seriously I want your life where this is the worst of my worries, my husband has been out of work for 3 months and I'm seriously worried about how we are going to pay our rent and gas bill this month as all our savings have now gone but your worried about an apple. Please please get a fking grip.

NavyTurtle · 15/10/2025 02:09

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:25

Thanks for the replies! Just to clarify, my frustration isn’t about my son trying to relieve his foot pain – it’s that the apple got squashed and wasted. It was perfectly good fruit that could’ve been eaten later, and now it’s just gone. I know he was trying to help himself, but it just feels wasteful, especially when we could’ve used it for a snack on the hike.

Seriously? If you are that bothered just tell yourself he ate it instead. Huge overreaction. You come across as a controlling mad woman.

NavyTurtle · 15/10/2025 02:13

OneShyCritic · 13/10/2025 14:25

I also worry it’s not a great example for my younger son (11) to see him just waste food like that.

You are getting more bonkers at every post. It was not a waste, it was initiative. Get a grip .

FancyNewt · 15/10/2025 02:22

Who cares? It's an apple.

feathermucker · 15/10/2025 02:32

This cannot be fucking real

pick your battles

PennyRest · 15/10/2025 03:14

I actually spent time thinking about why a green apple might be better than a red one for foot massage purposes and was hoping to be educated. Feel aggrieved.

Kath89 · 15/10/2025 05:17

I would buy better boots I've done scafell twice with a 15 and 10 yr old and they didn't complain about their feet

StarLake666 · 15/10/2025 06:05

First world problems 🙄
I think he showed ingenuity and how lovely that you have two boys that age who are happy to enjoy outdoor persuits rather than be sitting in front of a screen!
be proud of your boy - he sounds great!