Not to have paid towards parking?

[youarekidding]

OK, asking because if IABU I will give some money over.

We planned a cinema trip with friends, 2ad and 3 DC's (her DD's 6&8 and my DS 7 (yo))

Friend lives 10 minutes (max) walk from town so I said we'd meet at hers and we agreed to walk as car park for the length of time we would be there was £6

Friend said go round bit earlier as her DC's wanted to play outside on new toys and DS could take roller blades.

So we turn up an hour half before time to leave and something happened between her 2 which left elder one screaming blue murder and having an hour long strop. Friend then said she wasn't going to go as her DD1 behaviour. I offered to take her DD2 but she said no - so I asked if she minded DS and I waiting at hers for the 20 minutes before we left? Not a problem she says.

Ten minutes later she announces she is getting ready to go but need to hurry as only has ten minutes now . Her youngest DD then began to moan and whinge about walking and refusing to walk there. Using weather as an excuse. (was a little windy and had a quick shower half an hour before when they were outside). The whining went on and on and I said we had better get going or we wouldn't get there in time to book tickets and have a burger king as planned before the film started.

The stropping went on delaying my friend further until she said 'I'll have to drive now or we're going to be too late'. DS wanted to walk so I said we would leave and meet them there but her DD2 moaned again so DS said 'Oh I'll go in the car then if it keeps you quiet'

At this point I again mentioned cost of parking and that I couldn't afford it all but friend said driving was the only option and she had change on her. She said DS and I may as well go in the car with her as she'd have to.

So we go, book tickets, have burger king, get sweets and drink and go to film.

When we get out friend says if I wait with DC's she'll get the car park ticket (machine in different direction to car).

Then proceeded to mention the cost (£6) and how expensive it was for the rest of the afternoon.

I replied once 'I know that's why I said to walk'.

I get the feeling she wanted me to offer to pay some towards it - which at the time I didn't have enough cash on me as only took what I knew we'd need iyswim?

So been paid today - should I offer her half the cost or AIBU to think that as it was her and her DD's fault we went in the car she should stump up the charges? Not a major issue I'll admit but will do the right thing according to the MN jury!

I dont think there is any real tradgedy here and forgive me Op if I have this wrong, but not being able to afford an added £3 to a planned and saved for trip is anything out of the norm for many families. Im pretty hard up myself and some days bfore I get paid I at times dont have a penny to my name, its life but I ensure I have food in the cupboards, my kids are doing well, fed, watered, get treats but with carefull planning, budgeting and consideration to finances. It certainly is no tradgedy more a bit of a worry genrally.

Still,i think she should offer £3 to her friend or suggest next time when they go out to cover for parking.....

I can't believe driving a ten minute walk was ever an option in the first place.

I mean, why was the subject of parking fees brought up to begin with if it's only a 10 minute walk?

whereeagledare, she bought her a coffee

Why though? She only got in the car to shut her friends child up. The OP (and her son) wanted to walk. The friend was driving anyway.
You don't owe your friend any money imo op but your friends dd owes her mum an apology (and she wouldn't have gone to the cinema if it was me).

PS From her friend talking about it ,obviously ,she is expecting op to give her those £3 ,that's why i said it in the first place she should offer it and where i am talking about extra money,i am talking exactly cause situations like op's one...[peace]

O sorry FESTI, it looks like i missed that part...

Oh God, here we go......So if that was the case Zachary, why on EARTH would anyone be concerned about handing over £3?

Percy, you were dismissive, rude and clearly spoiling for a fight so I retorted back to you in the same manner. Would it help if you got the last word.....? It seems important to you. Go for it - it is all yours! ;)

Worra, because the friend threatened no cinema, then backed down, then the kids played up and the only way to get there was to take the car.

Read the OP! :o

Sorry, that is the only to get there in time was to take the car.

I know that Bogey I just wondered how they knew it would be £6 to begin with unless they were looking into the possibility of driving

So ,what did you decided to do OP?????

Gotcha, sorry Worra :)

I know the cost of parking at our local cinema, which is why I never park there :o so maybe thats why the OP wanted to walk.

she posted already and said she met today, bought her a coffee, friend said she didnt expect her to and the comment was a general moan about parking and in no way a reference to her splitting the cost. All hunky dorry

By the sound of it the friend doesn't do walking Worral.

O thank you festi.....

my pleasure ,,quicly downs before bed.

worra as usual you spot the small details. The conversation came about because it is well known my friend doesn't walk as her DD's kick up a fuss and on this occasion there was no need so I made it clear paying for parking and BK, as well as the other things wasn't an option for me that day.

We DC's do walk to the park and round it for ages, but walk ing to corner shop etc is a major issue - not my problem usually!

The reason I had no extra cash for it was 2 days until payday. I had £20 I had put aside for the day, food in the cupboards etc and so although no spare cash at the time things weren't that drastic!!

FWIW - the reason for my OP was I've noticed that plans change due to her DD's behaviour often and when going through my spending (want to try and save some in 2012!) I realised I was spending a lot due to this.