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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - to think this is too much?

255 replies

Harveyrabbit76 · 15/04/2019 14:58

My MIL has offered to buy my DS (nearly 3) a micro scooter (about £60)for Easter as I don't let him have easter eggs (obviously they are comparable?! :-)). AIBU to have said no as I think its too much money and missing the point of Easter? I grew up going to church on Easter Sunday and maybe having a couple of chocolate eggs.
Easter for me is more about being with family having a meal with maybe an easter egg hunt (plastic ones or something similar), not making it into Christmas part 2.

I know I have probably hurt MIL's feelings but I have said this would be a very generous gift for his birthday in August. What do you think?

OP posts:
PutyourtoponTrevor · 15/04/2019 15:22

What the reasons he's not allowed an Easter egg?

Nearlythere1 · 15/04/2019 15:23

@Hunkyd0ry what do you mean a dragon egg? Is it just decorative? I'm trying to think of non-chocolate ideas for niece and nephews too.

Alb1 · 15/04/2019 15:23

I say let him have the scooter, it’s not Christmas because 1 close family member buys him a nice gift at Easter, doesn’t mean he will expect it every year or even expect it off everyone. If she wants to set a president of buying him a decent gift at Easter then leave her to it, policing what gifts your child can receive is quite controlling.

SD1978 · 15/04/2019 15:27

I think you sound a tad puritanical to be honest. No chocolate- fine, that's obviously you're decision. A scooter he will get lots of use from, and enjoy, I don't see the problem at all. Do you believe in o my receiving gifts at Christmas/birthday and no other time? It's not what your children are bought and when, but the attitude you instill in them that makes them ungreatful. At three I doubt he's going to chuck a tantrum if he doesn't receive a comparable gift next Easter. So yup, you're being unreasonable.

Cwtches123 · 15/04/2019 15:28

I don't understand why MIL isn't allowed to buy a small easter egg?

I will be rationing how much mine eat but not banning it altogether. You say you used to have Easter eggs yourself?

Bluntness100 · 15/04/2019 15:29

Poor kid not being allowed an.easter egg!

I know. And having to do an egg hunt for plastic eggs. And not allowed a gift. Even if he had allergies there are plenty of different options available now.

It all sounds miserable and like the grandparent is trying to compensate for it.

PinkBlueStripes · 15/04/2019 15:29

All the kids I have met who had Mother's who didn't agree with giving them sweets or chocolate at all when they were small, are the ones at parties shovelling in sweets and ignoring the carrot sticks and cucumbers, and in one case, the whole party!

This is so true. I have a friend who always dragged me to McDonalds for this very reason!

Original poster
Harveyrabbit76 · 15/04/2019 15:31

Yes, I am beginning to think an easter egg is the easier option!! Although I am really not puritanical at all. My DS gets really hyper on sugar, so anyone who wants to come round and deal with him still being awake at 10pm then be my guest :-) I just don't think spending loads of money at Easter is sending the right message? Its not a question of not allowing him anything, I just think its a huge amount of money to spend.
I think a colouring book is much more acceptable, my DS just loves spending time with his grandma doing stickers and things, so think its a nicer gift?
Also, I also live somewhere really rural with no pavements so not sure how much he would use it.
Thanks for the advice everyone

OP posts:
AvengersAssemble · 15/04/2019 15:31

Poor kid, why is he not allowed chocolate or gifts OP?

IvanaPee · 15/04/2019 15:33

Haven’t they debunked that whole “sugar makes kids crazy” thing?

Anyway, it’s literally one day where they get to have Easter eggs! Don’t sweat the small stuff. Maybe a smaller egg and a coloring book?

IceRebel · 15/04/2019 15:34

It all sounds miserable and like the grandparent is trying to compensate for it.

Agreed. She is seeing you say no to chocolate, any gifts and making the child hunt for just plastic eggs. It sounds so joyless and grown up for a 3 year old.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/04/2019 15:35

Easter for me is more about being with family having a meal with maybe an easter egg hunt (plastic ones or something similar)

Single use plastic rather than chocolate. Hmm

Bluntness100 · 15/04/2019 15:36

Haven’t they debunked that whole “sugar makes kids crazy” thing?

Yup. But some folks still trot it out as a made up reason not to give their kids chocolate.

At Easter too.😔

MRex · 15/04/2019 15:37

A 3 year old doesn't know what things cost, let him have the scooter.

We make apple cake with apples, honey and cinnamon (no sugar) for DS and friends, you could make little squares of that and wrap them up as little treats to find, along with plastic eggs.

gnushoes · 15/04/2019 15:37

Then don't buy very sugary chocolate - get a bit of the better stuff?

fluorescentorange · 15/04/2019 15:39

No matter what allergies he has, there will be an egg out there for him, ffs let the boy have some fucking chocolate once in a while.

Bluntness100 · 15/04/2019 15:39

My DS gets really hyper on sugar, so anyone who wants to come round and deal with him still being awake at 10pm then be my guest

Sure op. I will come round, as would I think many others, and treat the little lad to a chocolate egg and play with him. Maybe he's hyper not because of sugar, but because he's getting something nice.

IvanaPee · 15/04/2019 15:40

Whatever you decide, don’t make the poor kid to a plastic egg hunt and not give him something at the end!

DonutCone · 15/04/2019 15:41

I just don’t believe he would be so hyper as to be up at 10pm after some chocolate-I just don’t.

You just don’t want him to have it.

PutyourtoponTrevor · 15/04/2019 15:41

So what does he get for easter then? Feel a bit sorry for him, he doesn't have to eat ALL the chocolate but surely some isn't going to be an issue for a day or so?

IceRebel · 15/04/2019 15:41

My DS gets really hyper on sugar

He's 3, at that age they're a bundle of energy with or without the sugar. I highly doubt it was just the sugar which made him stay awake until 10pm

PurpleDaisies · 15/04/2019 15:41

You won’t let him have one Easter egg?

It’s the forbidden ness and rarity of the sugar that makes him react as he does.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/04/2019 15:41

We make apple cake with apples, honey and cinnamon (no sugar)

Honey is fructose and glucose = sugar. I mean it's better but it's still sugar.

BlueMerchant · 15/04/2019 15:42

Agree it's not really in the spirit of things. It's also far too much money to spend on an Easter gift.
If chocolate eggs aren't suitable then there are loads of crafty things and books she could buy. She could buy some bulbs and make a spring 'garden' with him. There's lots of things.
If you don't want him to have a scooter yet then stand firm. Or if she goes against your wishes I'd tell her it must stay at her house.

Didiusfalco · 15/04/2019 15:44

I feel a bit sorry for your mil. She wants to buy her grandson an Easter egg, but that’s not okay. So she offers a nice, useful gift, but that’s not okay either. I would really try and unclench, relax some of your ‘principles’ and try to see the bigger picture - which is that you’re being fussy and bordering on unkind by rejecting your mil generous offers.

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