Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed my parents bought my daughter a bouncy castle?

65 replies

InVinoVeritas110 · 01/07/2023 21:04

My parents do a lot of childcare for us, which we're extremely grateful for, and my DD (3) goes to their house 3 afternoons a week.

They definitely spoil her, which I usually don't mind as it's very kind of them and they're financially in a position to do so. It makes her happy, it makes them happy.

But today I walked into their house and they had set up a whole bouncy castle in their kitchen/diner (they had an extension so it's a big space). It's not even that small a bouncy castle - you could probably have 3-4 kids on it. I asked if they'd hired one but they said no, they'd bought it for her.

It just seems a bit much tbh. And now I worry that the fun novelty factor of a bouncy castle is gone. I was going to hire a church hall with a bouncy castle for her next birthday, but I guess there's no point now. I remember as a kid that getting to go on a bouncy castle was a super fun treat but it won't feel that way for her.

I'm not going to make a big deal of it because what's done is done but AIBU for being a bit annoyed, and for asking them to check with me for big purchases like this in the future? Or should I lighten up 😂

OP posts:
Cosycover · 01/07/2023 21:57

Sorry to derail but I'd love to buy my kid one, I've never seen a bouncy castle that would fit in a home. Does anyone know where I'd get one?

yogasaurus · 01/07/2023 22:00

We have one of the Smyths toys bouncy castles, it’s the largest one and the kids love it, but it’s nothing like a real bouncy castle; they are still much more excited by a real one.

They sound like lovely GP’s

Blessedbethefruitz · 01/07/2023 22:04

I need some recommendations for these mini indoor bouncy castles please, from all those raving about good ones!! Seems safer than a trampoline...

HaveAHeavenlyDay · 01/07/2023 22:04

My parents have a smallish one and we have a big one. Ours spends most of the summer up in the garden. They play on it loads and still absolutely love bouncy castles and inflatables if we go anywhere.

Honestly, they have to entertain her/tire her out multiple times a week. Let them do it in their own way.

I do sort of get where you're coming from as DHs parents have form for really wanting to spend a huge amount on the kids and buying them massive toys and things I'd have liked to get them myself, but they would then expect us to have all the stuff at our house without checking we had space. As time has gone one I've unclenched a bit about it and realised they are just trying to show they care in their way.

Kpcs · 01/07/2023 22:05

You are being unreaonable

ThursdayFreedom · 01/07/2023 22:05

wildfirewonder · 01/07/2023 21:54

I feel quite grinchy having read the other responses but that does seem a bit much to me. It is nice, but suggests they are going to be the type of GPs to maybe wind your kids up rather than just have a nice calm time with them.

Probably not a lot you can do about it though.

OMG - just imagine, all that FUN.

when they should be sitting still on the sofa watching daytime TV.

how dreadful.

@InVinoVeritas110

yep, lighten up.

you'll always be her Mum. No need to be jealous they're buying her stuff & having fun. She can't be TOO loved.

Stichintime · 01/07/2023 22:10

They care for your child regularly and have found a way to tire them out. Clever grandparents!

KarmaStar · 01/07/2023 22:12

Yabu you have a whole life time with your dc to do things with,they won't and you are so lucky to have the support of your family and your dc will be very happy going there to bounce.
Think you're being ungrateful and thinking of yourself here,not of them or your dc.
Be happy in their happiness

PimpMyFridge · 01/07/2023 22:14

I would like to know where one goes to buy a water spraying dragon please!

DanceMonster · 01/07/2023 22:17

wildfirewonder · 01/07/2023 21:54

I feel quite grinchy having read the other responses but that does seem a bit much to me. It is nice, but suggests they are going to be the type of GPs to maybe wind your kids up rather than just have a nice calm time with them.

Probably not a lot you can do about it though.

How does a bouncy castle wind kids up?! I have three and they’ve never been ‘wound up’ by a bouncy castle. They burn some energy and have some fun. I’m sure the grandparents aren’t going to make them use it the entire time they’re there; they can have calm, quiet time too.

Tessisme · 01/07/2023 22:19

So your parents bought your DD a big fat bouncy castle so she could have a really fun time at their house? The bastards.

I think a bit of gratitude is what you need here.

Lizzt2007 · 01/07/2023 22:21

PimpMyFridge · 01/07/2023 22:14

I would like to know where one goes to buy a water spraying dragon please!

Amazon, but currently out of stock

Xmasbaby11 · 01/07/2023 22:23

I think they sound amazing people who are making their home a lovely fun place for their dgc.

JMSA · 01/07/2023 22:24

God, I've heard it all now. Seriously OP, get a grip ... or ten.

fortnumsfinest · 01/07/2023 22:25

Yes you need to lighten up.
Your DD will love it and they will love watching her love it.

Obimumkinobi · 01/07/2023 22:30

Be very grateful they've got it at their house! My Mum would regularly turn up at my small house (with an even smaller garden) with all sorts of huge fun items. Whenever DH arrived home to the cramped but happy chaos, I could see the horrified neat freak in him mentally calculating the earliest he take reasonably take it all to the tip. I love my Mum!!!!

Appleblossompetal · 01/07/2023 22:31

Isn’t it better on balance that she gets to play on a bouncy castle several times a week, than the fact that bouncy castles will still have been a novelty in the alternative scenario?

Hill1991 · 01/07/2023 22:35

The novelty doesn't wear off my ds has had a bouncy castle for about 2 years and everytime we see one when out he's straight to it, I find it's a lot easier than a trampoline as you just let it down and put it away for winter

Floralnomad · 01/07/2023 22:35

My mum and sister were always buying stuff for mine when they were kids and taking them places , never did them any harm although the pony that my mum bought our then 6 yo son ( he did ride and his last pony had sadly died ) is still with us and they are now both 30 .

ActDottie · 01/07/2023 22:38

I thought you were gunna say it’s taking up space at your house, but given it’s in their house YABU! It’s a lovely thing they have done.

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 01/07/2023 22:39

Lucky kid!

Don't worry- it will be totally different experience at parties etc because she'll have her friends/ music etc around her

LittleBumblebee3 · 01/07/2023 22:42

@InVinoVeritas110 I’d just be glad they didn’t turn up to my house with it to be honest 😅🤣 Have all the fun they like with a bouncy castle in their own house!

Your DD will still be excited by a birthday party with a bouncy castle!

My parents went through a phase where they turned up every few days to visit my DS and brought a toy with them EVERY single time 😐 obviously, super generous! But they were getting bigger and bigger and it was just far too much. Like going from a small toy car to a playdoh set, to a toy keyboard, to a chalkboard, then a train set. And this is within a few weeks. I don’t want him growing up expecting that of people! So I did sit my parents down and have a chat about that with them. But in your case, as a one off for their own house I wouldn’t even mention it other than to show DD some excitement about it!

Soapyspuds · 01/07/2023 22:43

As long as they are storing it at their house then crack on.

JudgeJ · 01/07/2023 22:43

NeverThatSerious · 01/07/2023 21:14

Yea, lighten up. Lucky girl to have such doting grandparents. There’s not an upper limit on fun!

I wonder if the responses would have been different if the OP's in-laws had bought it, if she has in-laws, MN tends to loathe the woman's in-laws.

Summerfun54321 · 01/07/2023 22:46

I didn't even know you could buy a home bouncy castle!!?? But then I've never known anyone with a house big enough to have one in. This has blown my mind and sounds like every child's dream!!