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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get the kids to pay for their own cinema tickets?

34 replies

OneBlueOneGreen · 25/12/2017 20:45

4 kids
I'm skint after Christmas. They want to see Paddington 2.

The local cinema is £5 each.

They all got Christmas money so AIBU to take £5 from each of them to see the film?

Or is that mean?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 25/12/2017 20:46

Seems fair to me!

StickThatInYourPipe · 25/12/2017 20:47

How old are they?

AtSea1979 · 25/12/2017 20:48

I wouldn't take £5 from them. I'd tell them if they want to see it then they'll have to use their own money or they can spend it on something else/save for something. That way they have a choice.

Pengggwn · 25/12/2017 20:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RedPandaMama · 25/12/2017 20:49

I think that's reasonable. Right after Christmas when you've already (assuming?) spent so much on them, havin them pay for themselves seems fair and £5 isn't much.
You should provide snacks and pay your own ticket though.

MsVestibule · 25/12/2017 20:50

Sounds OK to me, by what would you do if not all of them want to go? Would anybody be able to look after them while you took those who did want to?

YellowMakesMeSmile · 25/12/2017 20:51

I wouldn't either unless you gave them the money.

It's the reason I won't gift cash to children anymore, parents see it as free reign to top up their budget, use on essentials etc.

Original poster
OneBlueOneGreen · 25/12/2017 20:52

It's not essentials though is it? It's a treat.

Ages 7 to 14.

I would give them the option of course.

OP posts:
Spartaca · 25/12/2017 20:53

How old are they?

Spartaca · 25/12/2017 20:54

Cross post :-)

BrownLiverSpot · 25/12/2017 20:54

I think it's fair enough especially as it is a treat for them. Teaches them about budgeting as well if you give them an option. then they can bow out if they prefer to spend the money on something else.

CrossFreelancer · 25/12/2017 20:58

I think it's fair if you are skint. But instead of taking £5 off them to pay for the tickets. Maybe you should get them to ask and pay for their tickets at the cinema kiosk so they feel they are spending their money themselves.

FlouncyDoves · 25/12/2017 21:00

What will you do if two of them want to go and two don’t?

Original poster
OneBlueOneGreen · 25/12/2017 21:01

They all have a minimum of £30 from christmas And DS1 has £130! (His birthday 2 days ago) so it won't make a huge dent.

OP posts:
NeverTwerkNaked · 25/12/2017 21:02

Seems totally fair to me

M5tothesouthwest · 25/12/2017 21:13

Yep, totally reasonable. Kids need to learn that money doesn't come from a bottomless pit.

turbohamster · 25/12/2017 21:27

YellowMakesMeSmile you won't give cash in case it's spent on cinema trips!?!

I give cash fully expecting it to spent on that sort of activity - sister lives in small flat with 2 children so activities rather than things are appreciated

Lifeisabeach09 · 25/12/2017 22:49

I would use it or I would give the kids the option.
Every so often, I have to 'borrow' from my daughter if I'm particularly broke. And, no, I don't give it back. I spend a fortune on activities/snacks/clubs /treats etc. for her so, if I need change for bus or a pint of milk, I will ask her for it.

dustarr73 · 26/12/2017 09:46

turbo I read if as , she won't give cash cause the parents just take I.

YellowMakesMeSmile · 26/12/2017 10:18

Turbo, yes that's right. I've seen too many posts on here where parents see children's birthday and Christmas money/vouchers as their own so use it for essentials etc under the guise of they spend money on the children all year round so it's rightly there's to take.

If my niece/nephew wanted to see a film I'd happily take them and cover the costs but if a parent wants to take them then they should pay not use money given so the child can have fun choosing their own gift.

mummmy2017 · 26/12/2017 10:23

If your broke, and they want to go to the film and don't mind paying, it's fine, anyone who has never been that broke will tell you it's not fair. but a fun day out will mean more to the children, than £5 in a purse and bored.

GetYourRocksOff · 26/12/2017 10:24

Is it a choice though?

What if one decides it isn't worth £5 of their money?

Marriedwithchildren5 · 26/12/2017 10:26

Children want to see the film. Perhaps they prefer that to buying a crappy gift??? My daughter wants to buy clothes. Is that acceptable use of birthday/Christmas money Yellow?? I can't believe how controling people are over money gifts.

MyRelationshipIsWeird · 26/12/2017 10:28

If you could afford it, I’d say it was mean. But if this is the only way they’ll get to see the movie then they need to understand that and make their decision accordingly.

£5 isn’t bad, my local one is over £7 for a child. Factor in the same again on drinks and snacks and it becomes an expensive night out. I usually use Tesco club card vouchers to buy their tickets.

onemorecakeplease · 26/12/2017 10:32

It’s totally fine. Enjoy the film it’s really good!

My kids got loads of cash and as they have everything they need I’ll be putting most of it in their banks and leaving them a tenner or so to choose a toy or an activity. Otherwise they will spend the lot on plastic tat to add to the other piles of plastic tat....