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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think my mother should be renamed Scrooge?

75 replies

twinsufficient · 21/04/2011 12:18

My mum has just given me the Easter eggs for my 3 dcs. They are the cheapest, most tasteless (like cooking chocolate) eggs you could buy. I'd rather she didn't bother. What really annoys me is that she is not poor in any sense of the word. I don't expect lavish gifts but just maybe something a bit more for her grandchildren. AIBU?

OP posts:
clam · 21/04/2011 12:21

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
Prepare for a flaming...

(For the record, I see what you mean, but I don't think you'll get a good response on here!)

alarkaspree · 21/04/2011 12:23

It's just chocolate - she probably doesn't see any point in buying expensive chocolate eggs for small children. Or those were the eggs that the shop that she happened to be in was selling.

She's probably not stingy, she just has different values to you.

GeneHuntsMistress · 21/04/2011 12:23

YABU

And that is the nicest response you're gonna get on this thread. Good luck.

Ormirian · 21/04/2011 12:24

Yes YABU.

Original poster
twinsufficient · 21/04/2011 12:24

I know clam but it narks me. She keeps moaning about how the couple of hundred grand plus she has stashed in the bank has to last her the rest of her life! This is when I'm paying £1500 per month childcare. I have never and would never ask her for money though. She's just so money motivated.

OP posts:
jojowest · 21/04/2011 12:25

what would be sufficient in your eyes?

Original poster
twinsufficient · 21/04/2011 12:25

If she doesn't want to buy eggs then don't bother. I would're happily put the money she would've spent in their savings accounts. It's not the eggs but what they symbolise.

OP posts:
jojowest · 21/04/2011 12:26

so, presumably mother has accrued the couple of hundred grand throughout her life

and presumably mother didnt force you to procreate and have to pay childcare (rather than looking after them yourself) ........

Ormirian · 21/04/2011 12:26

"She keeps moaning about how the couple of hundred grand plus she has stashed in the bank has to last her the rest of her life"

That is a subject that worries a lot of older people. With good reason sometimes. She may be well off but the fear of being penniless when you are at your oldest and most vulnerable does focus the mind. Does it really matter that they are cheap chocolate? IME children don't care that much and they aren't going to know they are cheap.

jojowest · 21/04/2011 12:26

If she doesn't want to buy eggs then don't bother

she did want to buy eggs and she did bother .....

southmum · 21/04/2011 12:26

hahaha Grin

I hope she shoves the eggs up your Biscuit

glastocat · 21/04/2011 12:27

YABU. My MIL gave my son a holy pamphlet last year instead of an egg. We are not religious.Hmm

Original poster
twinsufficient · 21/04/2011 12:27

Jojowest - I'm not talking green & blacks or anything like that, just cadburys or similar. But seriously she is just so stingy it's a recurring problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinsufficient · 21/04/2011 12:29

FYI I didn't choose to have twins so I wouldn't bother going down that route. Anyway, got a dissertation to finish - this was just a distraction technique

OP posts:
MissJanuary · 21/04/2011 12:29

For Easter eggs it would not bother me so much, I try and give as much as I can to our childminder to share with all the other children, hence the limit the amount of shite my wee one is eating.

But I can sympathise in a way, my parents do the same with toys. Buy the cheapest shite out there thats full of sharp plastic, breaks within 5 seconds and proves to be money down the drain.

southmum · 21/04/2011 12:29

hey OP just think, the more she saves now the more you'll be left when she carks it

sausagesandmarmelade · 21/04/2011 12:30

Is this tight?

I bought the kids in our family thorntons 2 for a fiver eggs....with their names written on.

Bought the older girls the 2 for a tenner eggs...

It's not relative to what I have or earn...but I thought they were nice and I know the kids will appreciate them.

She's right...the money she has will have to keep her for the rest of her life. She may need specialist care in her old age which could cost her hundreds of thousands. She is being wise...and you are being unappreciative!

BikeRunSki · 21/04/2011 12:31

Depending on how old your mother is £200K is not that much is it is all she has to live on for the rest of her life. As she won't knwo if she'll live to 55 or 105 I can see why she is being careful.

Bucharest · 21/04/2011 12:32

"she is just so money motivated"

Pots and kettles by the sound of it.

ShatnersBassoon · 21/04/2011 12:35

YABU. Easter eggs are a token gesture.

Explain to the children that you're not happy with the inferior chocolate they've been given and that you'll be returning the eggs to grandma. See if they agree with your assessment.

sausagesandmarmelade · 21/04/2011 12:35

Incidentally....what have you bought your mother for Easter?

have the children made or bought her a little gift or card?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 21/04/2011 12:37

You sound money-motivated too, OP. Your Mum has no need to keep an eye on her money as you seem to have your beady eyes on it. Why mention how much money she has at all? It really wasn't relevant.

She bought her GC Easter eggs... it doesn't matter what they are. They will appreciate them, even if you don't. Hmm

EricNorthmansMistress · 21/04/2011 12:40

YABU

Tolalola · 21/04/2011 12:41

YABVU. And a bit silly. If you want posh eggs for your children, then buy them yourself. Your kids won't care one way or the other.

olibeansmummy · 21/04/2011 12:44

maybe she thought they were nice? my pil are VERY tight, and as far as i know haven't got ds anything for easter, but that's their choice.

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