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

[InVinoVeritas110]

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 😂

Depends how big your house is. We have the smallest one they do in Smyths, comfortably fits 2 and 4 year old. Only used it in the garden cause we're a mid-terrace, but if you had a semi and a room you could push furniture to edges in, I think it could work, obviously wouldn't be able to anchor it though so it might move a bit, but it is quite sturdy and heavy when up, inflates really quickly

It is an extravagant gift but I wouldn't be put out about it,they're great for burning off some of their energy!
We bought one as it didn't work out much different price wise than hiring one for the weekend.
(For people looking,ours is from chad valley with a slide that you can have indoors or outdoors and you can attach a hose to make it a water slide,got it from Argos. It's had a lot of use over the last couple of years and still going strong.)
My two still absolutely love going on bouncy castles so hasn't spoilt it for them.

My parent's specialised in this, over the years they bought; a 12ft trampoline, a ball pit, a bouncy castle, a huge plastic monstrosity of a play house, a 15ft tall, inflatable (and illuminated) snowman, a piano, kayaks, a motorbike, air rifles!! and a full sized pedal harp.
Even King Charles isn't exempt from this nonsense, (Google Lilibet's "cubby house").
It's like their brain totally changes and they can't help themselves.

It suggests they are the type of gp that will be winding her up ? What a bizarre thing to say . Exercise is one of the best things for kids , physically and mentally . What awesome grandparents.

I think it depends on your DD. Mine would probably lose the excitement factor for playing on something out and about if they had it at home/GPs house.

Yes, it’s a lovely thing and lots of fun but I can understand when exhausted, hard working parents feel hard done by that they can’t be the one to treat their kids or have the nice one off experiences with them (like hiring a bouncy castle for a party) because the grandparents take any opportunity to go overboard with treats and experiences. So don’t let all the ‘lighten up’ responses make you feel your disappointment is not a legitimate reaction.

This is 100% a modern phenomena btw. My GPs God rest them would have given birthday/holiday money and the odd cream cake or sweetie but wouldn’t have bought expensive equipment or taken us to more than a walk round a park or maybe a castle/local beauty spot.

I never understand why people want to stop grandparents from spoiling their kids… isn’t that the whole point of being a grandparent… which, I should add, I am not , yet. But if and when I do become one, I will want to spoil my grandkids something rotten, like mine spoiled me, and my kids’ grandparents spoiled them!
Grandparents’ house- grandparents’ rules!

And the type of bouncy castle you would get for a party will be a lot different and just as much fun as a ‘home’ bouncy castle!

You sound a bit ungrateful to be honest. They are looking after your child and making an effort to make it fun. You do know they don't owe you childcare and you don't get to police everything they buy and do.

@InVinoVeritas110 DS's grandparents have seen DS for 1.5 hours in the last 6 months. They've met him 4 times in 2 years. They don't know him AT ALL and send token gifts at birthday/Christmas. They haven't been over to visit (2hour trip and both drive) since Christmas and when they ring DH (rarely) they don't even ask about DS as they're too busy telling him about their dog.

Celebrate the relationship your child has with your parents, its wonderful to have involved family. And a hired bouncy castle will still be amazing for her as she'll have all her buddies to share it with.

You can get it from symth toys and it can be used indoors or outdoors. I bought one for my son during lockdown and he loved it

I remember as a kid that getting to go on a bouncy castle was a super fun treat

Your parents probably remember this too @InVinoVeritas110 z

YABU. Lighten up. My parents buy my DC all sorts of shit, you're lucky to have parents that care (and as long as it's not taking up space at yours of course!)

I thought that was the point of grandparents?

I don't own my child

Good grief OP, YABVU. Please don’t say anything, you’d look so mean and weird. Let your DD and parents have fun together. It’s lovely that they’re so involved.

Thanks for the comments - guess I definitely do need to lighten up then 😂 Don't worry I won't say anything to my parents and will let them all have their fun

The party will be different as it will be with a lot of children and more going on so don’t see why you need to cancel that.
if they look after her a lot then it makes sense for them to put fun things in their house for her.