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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU - Still buying stuff for daughter at University

424 replies

Virgo28 · 10/03/2020 13:21

I'll try to give all details to save questions so please bear with me. DD and her BF both 1st year students at uni one on south coast and one up north so the only time they see each other is when they are home but still text etc each other. Me and DP have been to see daughter twice, once in November and again end of February and both times I have taken up a bag of goodies for her, stuff like biscuits, sweets, basically stuff that I have seen when shopping that I thought she might like as a treat or maybe an essential that she has mentioned she needs. She works hard, is getting good grades and also has a part time job between her studies as her student maintenance loan only just covers her rent. The girls had been talking and DD mentioned the weekend we visited and told BF the stuff we had done (tourist stuff) and the bits I had taken up to her. BF must of told her mum and the next day BF's mum is knocking on my door basically demanding I stop enabling and spoiling my DD because apparently I should be allowing my DD to be an adult and not interfer as it's not helping her learn "life lessons" I also should not be visiting her as this doesn't help her either. Who is being unreasonable here? It honestly didn't cross my mind, it was just a few bits and a day out exploring where she is because we'd never been there before DD started there. It's about 4 hours each way so we drove up Saturday morning, spent the afternoon and early evening together, stayed at hotel that night, took her to breakfast the following morning and then left lunchtime to come home.

OP posts:
Icecreamdiva · 10/03/2020 15:44

We did this for our DC at uni. We visited 2/3 times a year and would always bring goodies and/or take them out for a big shop. We’d also take them and their (very appreciative) housemates out for beer/cocktails before enjoying a family dinner together. The D.C. also used to do something similar for one another posting revision packs of treats and snacks at the start of every exam season. IMO it’s caring, it’s what families do.

My DSIL is in her 40s now and I send her the occasional Tesco shop of luxuries she wouldn’t buy for herself and when my oldest (finally) moves into her own flat I’m sure I will do the same for her. Families share.

Shimy · 10/03/2020 15:44

it only works when its warm so I estimate it won't start up until at least May 😂
I'm sure I heard Corona virus will be at its peak May/June so hopefully that should keep her away!

Virgo28 · 10/03/2020 15:44

@BumbleBeeFlower - I've asked her if there is anything she needs me to bring and I don't care how big that list is I will get the lot and not feel guilty. Plus my mum has just checked what day we are going so they can drop off her Easter egg to take with us. Love that even though DD is 18 I'm probably going to have a separate bag just for chocolate!

OP posts:
mrsBtheparker · 10/03/2020 15:52

The mother has a lot of life's lessons to learn if she thinks she can wash her hands of her son now he's at University! When we visited our daughter we were like meals on wheels and we took her food shopping whilest we were there too!

WhatToDo999 · 10/03/2020 15:53

WTH! DSD is in University, we visit her every 6-7 weeks or so on a Sunday, take her for a Roast dinner and pop into Aldi or Lidl and do a bit of shopping for things she might need.

She pays her own rent, never asks us for anything, so as she is studying i feel this is the least we can do for her. She is independent and doesn't ask us for a thing, this is something we chose to do for her.

The other mother is totally batshit - what you choose to do for your daughter has nothing to do with her at all! if she says anything again, tell her to do one! x

Virgo28 · 10/03/2020 15:57

@WhatToDo999 - thank you, I'm hoping she doesn't but I won't stand in stunned silence next time. I'm hoping she was maybe a bit stressed and has now realised how barking mad she was.

OP posts:
TreestumpsAndTrampolines · 10/03/2020 15:58

You sound like a completely lovely (and normal) mum - my mum used to do exactly the same (sometimes a bit weirder - I remember her finding me some cheap t-shirts, and bringing them up, not mentioning that there was a bag with a couple of chicken breasts in the stack! Luckily I unpacked them within a couple of hours or I'd have missed out on a good dinner!)

LovePoppy · 10/03/2020 15:58

My parents still send me treats lol

TerrorWig · 10/03/2020 16:00

What business is it of hers?! Confused Your daughter will tell you when she doesn’t want you to visit.

strawberrylipgloss · 10/03/2020 16:07

I often visit my son with ALDI special buys that I think he'll like like special oven trays for chips and pizza. He earns quite a lot at his job but I think he appreciates that he's not forgotten while he lives away.

His birthday is later this month and I'm thinking of how to make it special without embarrassing him or seeing him.

lalaloopyhead · 10/03/2020 16:09

She sounds nuts!

My DD (3rd year Uni) is only 1.5hrs away so I visit for a day out/lunch when I can/she is free. I enjoy her company, I hope she does mine - seems odd to not visit. I don't often take treats, but I might buy her something while I am with her and on occassion I send her a bit of extra money just so that she can treat herself.

I really can't understand why BF's Mum would feel so strongly that she felt compelled to confront you. I suppose it is possible that she might feel guilty if she is unable too (or not thought to) do the same, but even so....

Elfranko · 10/03/2020 16:12

Even prisoners are allowed visitors
And the treats none of her business. I still steal biscuits from my mums cupboard anytime I visit

Virgo28 · 10/03/2020 16:12

@strawberrylipgloss - we are going up before her birthday as I'm guessing there will be lots of partying. I'm thinking of doing a asda delivery of a cake the monday after (birthday on friday)

OP posts:
onlinelinda · 10/03/2020 16:16

I visit once a term, and take (loosely) various nuts, plain chocolate, porridge, peanut butter, our jam, fruit, cheese biscuits and hummus. I might make a cake, if I'm not busy, or a couple of freezer dinners in foil tins.

I'm sure OP you must really know yourself that other people "demanding" that you change your behaviour with your own adult children are unreasonable, and probably ridiculous.

BigFatLiar · 10/03/2020 16:16

You're her mum, loving her and spoiling her is in the job description.

AudacityOfHope · 10/03/2020 16:18

I'm 40 and my mum still brings me treats Grin

What's it got to do with that old cowbag? You do know you can tell people to fuck off, don't you?

Troels · 10/03/2020 16:19

BF mums is nuts and should wind her neck in. She doesn't get to tell you what to do.
I used to go once a month to see Ds in Uni, I'd take him out to lunch and deliver groceries at the same time.
When I was away, my grandmother used to send me care packages in the post. The local paper, some sweets and things like pot noodles. I bloody loved it.

81Byerley · 10/03/2020 16:22

I always did this when I visited my son in university. I thought it was normal!!

Virgo28 · 10/03/2020 16:26

@81byerley - I assumed it was normal and I think for the majority it is but not everyone

OP posts:
Ariela · 10/03/2020 16:31

I'd take extra with the instruction DD is welcome to send some to her friend.

sixsquidswimming · 10/03/2020 16:34

BF's Mum can be told to mind her own business. If she doesn't want to treat her son then that is her problem, she has no right to tell you what to do and I'd tell her so.

Largeyellowdaffodil · 10/03/2020 16:34

My Ds student flat couldn't get an online food delivery slot this week (thanks panic buyers). They sent me the entire flat order and I went to do it- dropped it off and didn't charge any of them. Am I spoiling them all?

midlifesomething · 10/03/2020 16:34

I always do a goody bag for my DD at uni and if we drop her back in the car we do a “big” shop and pay for it. She doesn’t expect this and always grateful. She has an amazon student account with free prime delivery. She has just told me that she has lots of mouth ulcers so I have just ordered mouthwash via amazon and that will be delivered to her tomorrow. Once she’s out of halls and in her own house in the summer we probably won’t feel the the need to support as much as she can get her shopping delivered and bulk buy. Do whatever you feel is best, it’s no one else’s business. We help DD because we can - her maintenance loan wasn’t as much as she’d hoped due to our household income so she has a job to pay for going out and clothes etc. I hope that in years to come she’ll have a god job and might even help us out a bit if we ever need it. I expect i’ll always be in the habit of getting in her favourite treats - it’s part of being a parent.

Fairyliz · 10/03/2020 16:36

I’m 60 and my dad still gives me chocolate when I visit every week Grin, and yes I eat it all!

partofthepeanutgallery · 10/03/2020 16:36

Wow.

I'd actually be hoping she didn't end up marrying this one ... talk about an overbearing, interfering MIL! She will be a pain in the arse to work with for your DD and your side of the family!