Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have made DD give back the vending machine freebie?

278 replies

BlowDryRat · 04/05/2021 19:02

DH thinks I am.

I allowed DD to buy some crisps from the vending machine at the swimming pool after her lesson. I paid for one packet. It dispensed two. I made her give the second one back to a nearby member of staff.

The leisure centre staff look after the vending machines and could restock it, so it would have felt dishonest to walk off with both packs. I wouldn't be bothered if it wasn't obvious who to give it to.

Was I right or a right mean mother?

OP posts:
Mumof5x · 05/05/2021 18:14

I can't work out if this is a joke 😆 if not its a bag of crisps that the staff will either throw away or most likely eat themselves.
I can't tell you how many times these machines have eaten my money and I wouldn't even bother to call anyone most of the time.
I find it odd you gave them back (if not a joke) but good for you I guess if not!

zzizzer · 05/05/2021 18:15

@NoMoreBananas

You really are mean beyond belief. I feel so sorry for your DD. Mother of God, catch yourself on I could never forgive myself if I did that to my child
Dear fucking God Grin
peppermintpat · 05/05/2021 18:21

YABU

Miop · 05/05/2021 18:29

Reminds me of the advert where the kid is made up as she’s got a pound from returning the supermarket trolley. She gets in the car and her tightwad dad holds his hand out for her to return it.

Your that dad.

Original poster
BlowDryRat · 05/05/2021 18:36

@Miop

Reminds me of the advert where the kid is made up as she’s got a pound from returning the supermarket trolley. She gets in the car and her tightwad dad holds his hand out for her to return it.

Your that dad.

Once in a sleep deprived haze with a toddler and baby in tow I accidentally stole £1 from a boy who offered me the trolley he was returning for his mum Blush He was ever so sweet and didn't say anything but gave me an odd look as I thanked him. I didn't realise why until I was in the shop and he was long gone. I still feel guilty and hope he didn't get into trouble, the poor kid.

For @NoMoreBananas benefit, I made DD give the crisps back. I didn't beat her round the head with them while screaming obscenities Confused

OP posts:
zzizzer · 05/05/2021 18:41

This thread has turned really batshit and I don't know whether to laugh or despair.

My mum was abusive. She had her reasons, and as an adult, we've come to a form of peaceful understanding now and recovered from a long period of no-contact.

I genuinely know what it's like to actually deal with an abusive parent, and this is not it FFS!

ginghamstarfish · 05/05/2021 18:41

Would think almost everyone would keep it, but still a good lesson to teach your child.

karenjkayjay · 05/05/2021 18:44

This must be a wind up surely

AliceMcK · 05/05/2021 18:54

The amount of money I’ve lost in those bloody machines, I would definitely have kept it.

OrangeRug · 05/05/2021 19:01

Really?

nopuppiesallowed · 05/05/2021 19:03

Two types of people in this world - honest or dishonest. Its not a sliding scale. Someone occasionally cleans for me. She sometimes finds coins between the cushions in the sofa etc (no. I'm not testing her!) She always puts them where I can see them. She's trustworthy in this little area so if I had expensive jewelry (I don't!) I'd completely trust her to clean when I'm out.

PhatPhanny · 05/05/2021 19:09

You did what!!!!?

NoMoreBananas · 05/05/2021 19:17

@PhatPhanny

You did what!!!!?
Exactly!!
Bertiebiscuit · 05/05/2021 19:18

YABU - are you for real???????

NoMoreBananas · 05/05/2021 19:19

I never said you were abusive but dear lord it was a bag of crisps. A free bag to a child is like winning the lotto and then you took them off her? Those machines are notorious for not giving your items out when you've paid, so when you get 2 for the price of one you take it with both hands and let the child have a treat.

gingganggooleywotsit · 05/05/2021 19:21

Seriously? I like to be myself around my kids we would have laughed, and kept it! Hardly a big deal!

vacuumnomore · 05/05/2021 19:25

I would have done the same as you op. It's modeling good behaviour for your child. What if, for example the bank machine spat out an extra 20? Would you keep that? These things need to be really clear for kids.

Cissyandflora · 05/05/2021 19:30

@vacuumnomore

I would have done the same as you op. It's modeling good behaviour for your child. What if, for example the bank machine spat out an extra 20? Would you keep that? These things need to be really clear for kids.
I would. I wouldn’t give it back to the bank. I’d be overjoyed and try again. The banks have made plenty from me. (75£ for going overdrawn for a couple of days as a student. Twice).
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 05/05/2021 19:31

Why not just keep them?

nopuppiesallowed · 05/05/2021 19:33

@vacuumnomore

I would have done the same as you op. It's modeling good behaviour for your child. What if, for example the bank machine spat out an extra 20? Would you keep that? These things need to be really clear for kids.
Exactly!
LindaEllen · 05/05/2021 19:36

Ah come on! It's one of life's few little wonders that just put a smile on your face isn't it? I bet the member of staff didn't put it back in the machine.

FrankensteinIsTheMonster · 05/05/2021 19:43

Why does it matter what the member of staff did?

waitingpatientlyforspring · 05/05/2021 19:47

I am really honest I think and hate to break the rules but I would have kept the extra packet!

ozymandiusking · 05/05/2021 20:13

You meanie.

eatsleepread · 05/05/2021 20:15

I'd have kept the second one Blush
I bloody love it when this kind of shit happens Grin It's so very rare that I don't see the issue.