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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

freeloading bloody bugger or not?

37 replies

LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay · 06/04/2012 10:33

Planning to take brood to the cinema. Pirates Looks awful and each ticket will cost a fiver but my three kids REALLY want to go. Which is fine but the two eldest now want to invite friends. Seeing as I seem to be the only mum who takes various kids plus friends to soft play, ice creams, cinemas.... And other parents only ever have them round to play, am I just being taken for a ride? Am starting to think it's quite cheeky, especially one nun who always wants her kids in, but NEVER reciprocates. She knows we're off thus afternoon and has redress asking whether eldest is free...
Holidays cost a fortune and 8'm sick of stumping up for otherd, money is SO tight atm.

OP posts:
TheSinglePringle · 06/04/2012 10:34

Tell them no then.

Easy as that. You just take your own children.

Original poster
LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay · 06/04/2012 10:35

Oh FFS mum not nun. Bloody touch phone. Should I ignore her text?

OP posts:
ABigGirlDoneItAndRanAway · 06/04/2012 10:39

Either ignore her text or reply saying money is tight and her DC can come only if they pay their own way.

Toughasoldboots · 06/04/2012 10:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

talkingnonsense · 06/04/2012 10:40

How old are your dc? I'd just tell them you can only afford a family ticket. And smuggle in your own sweets. If you are ok with the other mums, say I'm happy to take your dd but I can't buy their ticket. Most people would totally undertant.

Thumbbunny · 06/04/2012 10:41

Freeloading, definitely. Say no unless they pay for themselves as you have no spare money.

chickissimma · 06/04/2012 10:42

Take him, but only if his mum pays for ticket and any other expenses.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 06/04/2012 10:43

"of course they can come. It's £5 per ticket and a bit extra if they want drinks and snacks. I'll pick them up at x o'clock"

Simples.

Thumbbunny · 06/04/2012 10:46

IcanTuck - that's not explicit enough.

Original poster
LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay · 06/04/2012 10:49

Literally LOL at that. Get off the bloody fence, Boobs! You know, I LOVE the idea of sending a text like that... I'm going to do it, I really am. If you see a cloud puff up over the Welsh Marches, the shit will have hit the fan . Thx for encouragement, glad it's not just me!

OP posts:
JustHecate · 06/04/2012 10:53

she wants to know if your eldest is free?

reply "oh yes, I am taking the others to the cinema, but X can come to yours instead. He'd like that."

Deliberately misunderstanding is fun Grin

And there's nothing wrong with saying "oh yes, your X can come, he'll need to bring £X for his ticket and £X for snacks. I'll collect it from you beforehand, as I'll need it upfront, bit strapped atm."

That should stop the freeloaders

corlan · 06/04/2012 11:02

By the way - Pirates is really good. There are lots of 'in' jokes for the parents and the soundtrack is aimed at us as well. Come to think of it - I think I enjoyed it more than the kids.

peeriebear · 06/04/2012 11:17

I can't see how anyone could be offended by "Yes we're going to the cinema to see Pirates, it's £XX if little Bernard wants to come along :) "
And yes. Pirates is funny :o

Rhinosaurus · 06/04/2012 11:37

YANBU she is a freeloading bloody bugger

Any time I have taken dcs friends to cinema they have always been sent with money to pay for themselves. Or just tell your kids it is a family day out, no friends, three is enough to be taking anyway plus more popcorn for you

Love the nun typo lol

Original poster
LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay · 06/04/2012 11:39

Well, turns out he'll not be coming...... "sorry, thought 'x' was being invited. We're going out now after all, catch up later x"
Blimey. Think I've just mucked up friendship of eldest. That's a bit awkward... ARSE ARSE

OP posts:
Toughasoldboots · 06/04/2012 11:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scholes34 · 06/04/2012 11:40

My DH is very disappointed DS2 went to see Pirates with a friend (and yes, I paid for his ticket), as he can't persuade DS1 to go and see it with him.

OP you need to be firmer with the other mums.

LadySybilDeChocolate · 06/04/2012 11:41

Can't you go on Wednesday? Buy one get one free with Orange. Wink Tell her how much the tickets cost and tell her you need the money up front (or tell her to sod off).

Toughasoldboots · 06/04/2012 11:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MadameOvary · 06/04/2012 11:41

X WAS being invited. She just wanted a free ride. Grrrr. Take no notice.

ImperialBlether · 06/04/2012 11:45

I couldn't imagine sending my kids off to the cinema with their friends without giving them the money to get in and some spending money. My friends wouldn't do that to me, either.

It's different if it's a birthday treat, but not otherwise.

And I'd rather take just my own, if I had three children - how can you even get more than that there?

Thumbbunny · 06/04/2012 11:48

If you'd pissed her off that much I doubt she'd have put an x at the end of her text, you're probably ok.

Anyway - you've sorted it now, hopefully she won't be so quick to take advantage in future :)

youarenotbeingserious · 06/04/2012 11:49

Am I the only one who would expect to pay for my child to go somewhere like the cinema with others? I would only expect not to if the person hosting expicity text to say - would DC like to go to cinema with mine - it's my treat I'll pay. Even then I'd send him with sweets to share or a fiver in his pocket to give the mum for snacks etc.

Toughasoldboots · 06/04/2012 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

catsareevil · 06/04/2012 11:55

So she was happy for you to pay for her DS to go to the cinema, but not for her to pay? What a cheek.