Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder about my present

140 replies

bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 22:56

Okay, it's my birthday soon and I was having to hang around in town for an hour or so, and my kids (14 and 11) wanted to be dropped at an industrial estate for the hour. They had been given some money (about £80) after visiting relatives recently and I thought they were just going to spend it on themselves. Well, cos we didn't have the money with us, they borrowed a card of mine which is what they generally do. Anyway, it turns out they spent £145 on me. I saw it on my online banking. I know they will give the money to me but I am so overwhelmed that they would do this and don't know whether to say to them that it was too much, as they dont get a lot of money, or to just not accept all the money when they pay me back. I love them so much, little sweethearts.

OP posts:
maras2 · 30/07/2011 23:00

Are you mad ?

AgentZigzag · 30/07/2011 23:02

From an industrial estate eh? Have you got any ideas what it might be? Grin

That is a shed load of cash for them to spend on you, how lovely of them to want to spoil you Smile

MumblingRagDoll · 30/07/2011 23:02

What?

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:03

I think there was B&Q !! and comet and pc world and such like..

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 30/07/2011 23:04

Did I misunderstand the OP given the confused faces?

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:07

I dont know, I dont think you did misunderstand me. They had £80 each and spent it on me and I am bowled over by it even tho I dont usually like their choice of presents necessarily

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 30/07/2011 23:08

I'm confused - they had £80 of their own, you lent your card, they spent £145 on it - does that mean you are paying the excess? Or have I misunderstood?

Anyway - they sound sweet and I hope you have a lovely birthday Smile

KurriKurri · 30/07/2011 23:08

OK - you've cleared it up - £80 each, - well they are lovely generous children, you are lucky Smile

AgentZigzag · 30/07/2011 23:11

I took it as they didn't have the £160 on them and the OP lent it to them for the pressie kurrie.

It is quite a lot for them to spend though bonnie, usually a tenner pressie does for DC to buy for their mum.

AgentZigzag · 30/07/2011 23:12

hehe sorry kurri, it's because I was reading bonnies name.

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:16

They have never spent more than 20 quid together max.....I am torn between telling them OMG I have just seen my bank statement or thinking how lovely they are cos we have had a terrible time over the last few years

OP posts:
GreenEyesandHam · 30/07/2011 23:19

I was confused when I read the OP as the industrial estates round here are builders, printers, storage facilities and joiners works etc Grin

It's very sweet OP, they must think you're worth it. Now get practising your 'surprised face' Smile

TheMagnificentBathykolpian · 30/07/2011 23:20

Yeah. come back and let us know if you ever get the money off them! Grin

YouDoTheMath · 30/07/2011 23:23

You should definitely be thankful to them if indeed they have spent the money on you. They'll be heartbroken if you tell them it was too much and make them take it back (my folks did that once and I was v upset!) but perhaps next year, encourage them to spend a little less and treat themselves with the rest of the money!

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:23

Yeah thats more to the point, I will let you know if and when I get it!

Greeneyes that is so funny! Maybe I call it industrial estate when it should be something else entirely!

OP posts:
bonkers20 · 30/07/2011 23:26

I think I'd wait and see what it is before deciding. If it's something truly lovely then maybe you can offer to pay for some of it ("I was thinking of getting this myself so let's go halves"). It also depends on what you have taught them about spending their own money. Is it truly theirs to spend as they wish (within the boundries of the law!) or are they used to some of their gift money being put into savings for them, or for it to go towards big items they've asked you for?

Also, they need to know you can see their purchases on your online statement. When is your birthday?

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:26

Youdothemath I wont make them take it back but I could offer them some of the money back couldn't I? Especially if I like it

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 30/07/2011 23:29

Is there any reason they want to buy you such a big pressie this year?

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:31

Yeah it is good for them to know I look at the online banking nearly every night, especially as they know my number.

Bonkers, they have never really had that much money before due to various circumstances, and it is worth now making sure they begin to save and spend sensibly

OP posts:
Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:32

We have had a sad time lately which is why the family were dishing out the dosh I think ZigZag but we are getting there

OP posts:
Casmama · 30/07/2011 23:33

Was there more than one purchase because if so they may have bought one thing for you and something for themselves.

BluddyMoFo · 30/07/2011 23:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:37

No, just the one. I have seen the box at the bottom of my ds's bed, under the covers but havent had chance to check it out

OP posts:
Original poster
bonnieslilsister · 30/07/2011 23:38

whats up bluddymofo

OP posts:
Casmama · 30/07/2011 23:43

I think the relatives would perhaps be a little annoyed that they spent the money on you. I know that my mum would be horrified if my sister and I spent that on her now and we are 30 and 32 (unless it was a big birthday). I think yes you should give them some of the money and stress the "its the thought that counts" and maybe suggest a maximum limit that they stick to the next time. I'm not trying to be a kill joy but what about two weeks after your birthday when they want something, you don't want to buy it for them and they could have bought it themselves but only have £7.50 each out of th £80 that they had.