Is this tight or ok?

[Thirtyrock39]

Not sure if this is reasonable :-
Dd in year 7 group of four pals
Want to organise her to see friends at half term
Thought would take them to cinema and I'll go round town while they watch a film - I'll take them there and back, buy tickets etc.... can I ask them to bring money for popcorn etc or sneak in some treats rather than me having to buy food and drink from the cinema (which could end up being a £50 trip ) when I was this age I would've just met friends there but they seem a bit young
Don't know if I'll appear really tight ?
Just to be clear it's not a birthday or anything like that just a meet up

Yes, 100% they should be bringing or buying their own food. If it was a birthday party then maybe a bit tight not to make a contribution to refreshments but not otherwise.

I'll buy cinema tickets obv

I've read from multiple sources that you're allowed to take your own snacks into the cinema and always have been. Apparently it was all just a rumour that got out of hand.
help.odeon.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/360010231760-Can-I-take-my-own-snacks-and-drinks-into-the-cinema-#:~:text=We%20have%20a%20fantastic%20range,their%20own%20snacks%20and%20drinks.&text=If%20you're%20unsure%2C%20please,be%20happy%20to%20advise%20you.
www.heart.co.uk/lifestyle/can-you-take-food-into-cinema-screen/
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/odeon-cineworld-empire-vue-tyneside-16174731

Depends entirely how you word the ‘invitation’. If it’s just mates meeting up to watch a film together, then no I wouldn’t expect snacks to be provided. On the other hand, I’d spend a fiver in Poundland or whatever it’s called and have ample snacks for everyone, but no, I wouldn’t expect a parent to fork out for cinema snacks, unless it was an actual birthday party.

Not tight at all and tbh if it's not a party I would be sending my dd with money for her own ticket too, you shouldn't be out of pocket doing everyone else a favour so they can meet up safely :)

I'd just give her money and drop her off. Maybe get her to ask her friends to get money off their parents so they know you aren't paying. Most kids this age probably wouldn't go with a parent but I know this is a tricky age, my son is the same age and doesn't really go anywhere alone other school as there's not really been much opportunity with covid.

In year 7 do they not want to be sporting out this kind of meet up for themselves? My youngest is year 9 but she would have cringed if I'd tried to arrange this in year 7. They'd have sorted it themselves and asked me for a lift (and money!)

Not tight. If my DD11 was doing this I’d expect to pay for her tickets and her snacks and drink only. Not sure why you’re paying for everyone? I’d just let them arrange and pay for your own DD.

"I'll sort tickets and transport, the only thing need bring is yourselves and snacks, if you're wanting them"

That should do it

The popcorn’s where the profit is for cinemas.

Thanks - I'd really like them to meet up so I'm fine getting tickets as i feel I've not had to spend much for these kind of things with covid etc just didn't want to have to spend a crazy amount . The cinema is a good drive away so I think would be difficult for them to arrange without parents involved so just easier really if I taxi them all and mooch round the shops for a couple of hours

Yes, sounds totally reasonable. Maybe just to make sure that DD has told them that tickets are on you and to bring money for snacks.

I would also expect to pay for my child’s ticket so paying for snacks is absolutely no issue.

I would however get them in advance from the supermarket.

And you sound like a very nice mum!

@DeathStare

In year 7 do they not want to be sporting out this kind of meet up for themselves? My youngest is year 9 but she would have cringed if I'd tried to arrange this in year 7. They'd have sorted it themselves and asked me for a lift (and money!)

Some y7s can, some can't. My DD and her friends couldn't have done this in y7. Plus remember that this year they will have missed a whole year of socialising which could mean they are less confident than they might otherwise have been.

That sounds fine. Also, do the other mums know you’re going shopping? Do they have a phone? My sister would not have let her dd do this at that age without a parent. Ds is a bit younger and I would.

It’s a nice thing to do, regardless of whether they can sort it for themselves or not.
Yes, be explicit about bringing money for drinks and popcorn; children like choosing and buying for themselves.

That's exactly what I used to do when my dd was y7. Not tight at all, they used to pile into Poundland for snacks first & always really enjoyed it.
It's kind of you to arrange it all, hope they have a good time.

My dsis wouldn’t let her walk to my house without her though, and I live 5 mins away. Until she was about 14!

Snacks are optional, we never buy them as they're extortionate. I would just say that if any of them would like snacks they are welcome to bring some or some money if they want to buy something.

I think it sounds fine. It’s nice that you would offer to pay for the tickets and drive too, you’re a lovely mum and I’m sure if your dd was “cringing” at the thought of her mum doing something nice for her as a pp suggested she would tell you to leave her alone.

I would send a couple of packs of haribo from the supermarket and a can of drink each l, I never buy the cinemas food and drink as it's too overpriced and the drink is watered down. (Actually I do from the art house cinema because they have a nice restaurant and full bar, not the same!)

Absolutely.

You sound very lovely and thoughtful. If my DD was invited to the cinema with friends, I would assume I'd be paying for the ticket. Asking them to bring money if they'd like snacks is absolutely fine. You buying the tickets is really nice as it is.

where I live the cinemas are only just reopening, there is no food (popcorn etc) or drink available due to covid.