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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

or is it a bit rude??

79 replies

OutOutLetItAllOut · 27/07/2010 09:08

my friends childcare bailed on her this week, so i offerd to have her 3 kids while she is at work.
they are good kids, no probs really other than the odd argument or moan...
anyway, she sent them with a bag each of toys, inc nintendo ds each, ( so 3), yesterday child 1 plugged it in to charge it, but didnt play it here, so really it didnt need to be charged, and today child 2 and 3 both walked in and plugged them in so they can play them later..
is that rude??
i think she shuld make sure they are charged at home so the kids have them to play, not to send them with the idea that they can do that here..

OP posts:
Goblinchild · 27/07/2010 09:11

Remind the children to charge their DSs at home before they come. Do you really need to speak to the adult? How old are the children?

Original poster
OutOutLetItAllOut · 27/07/2010 09:13

12, 10 and 9.
i have told the kids that they cant charge them. there is plenty of things for them to do, and we are goin out soon anyway.
i will talk to the mum as well.
i just wasnt sure if i was being mean.

OP posts:
catherinewho · 27/07/2010 09:14

I've never really thought about there being electricity etiquette.

TheDoodler · 27/07/2010 09:14

I'm sorry i don't understand the problem...

FionaSH · 27/07/2010 09:15

YABU - what's the big deal about them being charged at yours?

ChippingIn · 27/07/2010 09:16

OMG this has to be a wind up!?

Original poster
OutOutLetItAllOut · 27/07/2010 09:16

they didnt even play them here yesterday, so they were charged here, ( costing me money) so they could be used at some other point, presumebly at home.

OP posts:
LittleMisscantbewrong · 27/07/2010 09:16

It's something that never would cross my mind. If someone offered to have my dc's and then mentioned this to me I would think it was odd.

Is it the cost that's the issue? Or plugging them in without asking?

scurryfunge · 27/07/2010 09:16

Charging them costs so very little but they should still have asked you.

serenity · 27/07/2010 09:16

Maybe they should ask first, but they're kids. That sort of thing doesn't always cross their minds. It seems a bit of a non-issue tbh. Sorry.

What's the actual problem? That they aren't asking or that they're using your electricity. I'd just be happy that they're good kids.

LittleMisscantbewrong · 27/07/2010 09:17

At my work people charge their phones in the office to 'save money at home'. I always think

FionaSH · 27/07/2010 09:17

Oh

BuzzingNoise · 27/07/2010 09:18

YABU. and petty.

Goblinchild · 27/07/2010 09:18

They are old enough to listen to you without needing the mother's involvement.
She probably thought using the DSs would minimise the stress for you as they'd sit and play and be fine.
If it really bugs you to spend 15p to charge them, as her for a shilling each for the meter.

Original poster
OutOutLetItAllOut · 27/07/2010 09:18

well unplugging other things to plug them in and not asking did bug me, but also the cost of charging things, ( prepay leccie) annoyed me. esp as they wernt played yesterday and wont get played today as we are going out.

OP posts:
serenity · 27/07/2010 09:18

X posted. It's the cost of the (minimal) electricity? Seriously? Then YABU, and a bit odd.

Goblinchild · 27/07/2010 09:20

It wouldn't have occured to them to wonder when they'd use their Dss, only the terror of wanting to play and finding a flat battery.
How old are your DC?
Do they use electronic hand held devices yet?

BalloonSlayer · 27/07/2010 09:22

Charging them costs practically nothing,so your risk making yourself look like Crazed Skinflint Woman if you complain to her.

However I would always ask before charging even my phone at someone else's house as it seems rude. A bit like asking to use someone's loo I suppose. You wouldn't just stampede up the stairs and log yourself in someone's khazi without so much as a by-your-leave, would you?

BalloonSlayer · 27/07/2010 09:23

arf. I meant "lock yourself"

ace Freudian slip

ShirleyKnot · 27/07/2010 09:25
MathsMadMummy · 27/07/2010 09:25

i don't think YABU especially as you're on prepay. and as they unplugged other things, that's really rude IMO.

we're not on prepay thankfully but crikey, when you're in a situation where every penny counts, that's not petty at all.

having said that it's the rudeness that would bother me more I think. I don't think I'd bother speaking to the mum, that would seem petty.

I'm a bit when my DSS comes over and charges his ipod/phone but at least he asks me first!

TheDoodler · 27/07/2010 09:26

It never ceases to amaze me what some folk get offended about...

MathsMadMummy · 27/07/2010 09:26

and 9+ is definitely old enough to know that you should ask before you do things in somebody else's house

WreckOfTheHesperus · 27/07/2010 09:27

YABU. You would zoom up my weirdometer ratings if you complained to me about something as petty as this...

ShirleyKnot · 27/07/2010 09:30

MMM - are you joking about being about your DSS charging up his i-phone when staying at yours?