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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To send back that Jubilee book?

351 replies

YahBooFucks · 09/07/2022 20:51

My DS came back with the Jubilee book this week. I didn't know anything about it (the Jubilee wasn't something that I was remotely bothered by) but apparently every family with a primary aged child is getting one. I'm massively annoyed by this book... It strikes me as an enormous waste of money, especially at a time when so many people/organisations/schools etc are struggling. I also hate having patriotism shoved down my (and my kids') throat. But it's mainly the money...

WIBU to send the book back (haven't figured out to whom yet. I'm guessing not the queen) with a note saying 'no, thank you'?

OP posts:
HoneyFlowers · 09/07/2022 21:50

We got a book and it's a lovely book and will be well treasured. My child signed his name and dated it too on the first page.

What's a shame to be so ungrateful!

OhTheLeetleHandsAndFeetle · 09/07/2022 21:50

Why not go and chain yourself to the railings of Buckingham Palace in protest? With everything that’s going on in the world, it’s a good job you’re here to make a stand about outrageous book gifting,

You need a nice ‘Down with this sort of thing!’ (responsibly sourced, organic cotton) t-shirt and perhaps a little hat, to go with.

Miriam101 · 09/07/2022 21:50

I'm with you OP. Zero interest from my 5yo, which was a great relief to me as I don't think I could have stomached it.

Also, there are plenty of other things the money could have gone on, like, for example:

www.theguardian.com/education/2022/may/14/england-crumbling-schools-risk-warn-no-10-education-department-treasury

Anyfeckinusername · 09/07/2022 21:51

The jubilee book is AWFUL!!! My kids asked me to stop reading it. I was so relieved.

GoodJanetBadJanet · 09/07/2022 21:52

ExtraOnion · 09/07/2022 21:46

In 1977 .. I was 6. We were all given a silver jubilee coin , I loved it. I came from a poor family, not a pot to piss in - that coin was the nicest thing I had, I treasured it.
You couldn’t spend it, it certainly wasn’t really silver - and you can (now) pick them up on e-bay for a couple of quid.
For Six year old me, with the dysfunctional / abusive home life, I felt like The Queen had personally sent me something, it was joyful.

💕

onmywayamarillo · 09/07/2022 21:52

Did anyone else get a tree sapling??

We got the book today and the sapling died as I forgot about it

Total waste of money!

DomusAurea · 09/07/2022 21:53

Fullofhotcrossbuns · 09/07/2022 20:58

What is wrong with you?

er... what is wrong with YOU?

Original poster
YahBooFucks · 09/07/2022 21:53

Sorry... I went off to do something else and now I'm massively behind.

@TimeToGoUpAGear I have shared my opinions (on all manner of things) with my DD, yes. And she has used my thoughts to form her own. She doesn't parrot me as a general rule. In fact, she often disagrees with me about things. Not this, it seems 🤷

OP posts:
Joyfultoes · 09/07/2022 21:53

We didn’t get one in London. Maybe it’s a suburban tory thing

DomusAurea · 09/07/2022 21:54

HoneyFlowers · 09/07/2022 21:50

We got a book and it's a lovely book and will be well treasured. My child signed his name and dated it too on the first page.

What's a shame to be so ungrateful!

I think you haven't much experience of beautiful things to be treasured?

Original poster
YahBooFucks · 09/07/2022 21:55

@TheCanyon how has what I've said reflected your 'bigoted' friends?! I didn't say I'd burn the book. What has it got to do with football? Odd.

OP posts:
DomusAurea · 09/07/2022 21:56

Agree with you, OP. What a waste of money, just now when cost of living is so high. It's something straight out of the middle ages, id best, being serfs to the monarchy when people are, literally, starving.

Strawblue · 09/07/2022 21:56

We haven’t looked at it yet but I noticed it says it is printed in Italy - why on earth was this not printed here to support British printers in these increasingly hard times?
I should imagine they got an ultra cheap deal to print it in Italy.

ClocksGoingBackwards · 09/07/2022 21:57

It’s not yours to give away, and even if your kids aren’t bothered about it now, they might want it in future.

The monarchy is a thing wether you like it or not, so I can’t see why you’d have a problem with your kids learning about it.

balalake · 09/07/2022 21:57

When it comes to patriotism, what I dislike is the Tory government having Union flags in the background of as many office interviews as possible, when they are if anything harming the country. The soon to be ex Prime Minister who accepted Russian donations and if anything is a traitor, not a patriot.

m00rfarm · 09/07/2022 21:57

If I give you the postage, would you post it to my son and he can bring it over to me in Portugal. My mum would love one and I would like to see it as well. Serious offer!

m00rfarm · 09/07/2022 21:57

My son is in the UK - should have added that!

Highfivemum · 09/07/2022 21:58

Whether you are a royalist or not the queen is the ruling monarch our our Country and that is our history. This book is your child’s not urs to give away and something they may want to keep in what was a momentous occasion. I think it is a lovely idea to be given A piece of history.

Maytodecember · 09/07/2022 21:58

Mail it to your MP with your letter.

Lemonsandlemonade · 09/07/2022 21:59

Way I see it it’s not your book to give away. It wasn’t given to you.

DomusAurea · 09/07/2022 21:59

Strawblue · 09/07/2022 21:56

We haven’t looked at it yet but I noticed it says it is printed in Italy - why on earth was this not printed here to support British printers in these increasingly hard times?
I should imagine they got an ultra cheap deal to print it in Italy.

Not cheap, no, but the highest quality. Since the Renaissance Italian printers have been the best in Europe. Generally, it is a sad but acknowledged fact that if you want something designed and executed well, the UK is not the first post of call.

SunflowerGardens · 09/07/2022 21:59

Ah I think I'll keep mine safe for DS. Maybe when he's older and I'm long gone he will find it in a box in his attic and tell his grandchildren all about a time when we had a Queen, not a King. Maybe there won't be a monarchy at all by then.

Hankunamatata · 09/07/2022 21:59

Yeah we got 2. Gone on book shelf and will end up in charity shop eventually

ScribblingPixie · 09/07/2022 22:00

At the 1977 Jubilee all children were given a mug. It was given to me at school, not my parents and I've still got it. It's got good memories attached to it.

ChocolateCakeYum · 09/07/2022 22:00

Doubtful.
Safe Labour seat in a very working class area here and my son got a book.

The book is rather meh, I do like the stuff about past kings and queens though and some of the illustrations are nice.

It’s propaganda for sure but no more so than any other book if you’re not going to introduce supplementary texts to give a more balanced view of British history.