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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cooking on family holiday

20 replies

Inane1 · 05/08/2023 18:44

We go on family holiday every year
3 siblings including me, I do not have a partner, the other two siblings do. We are supposed to split cooking. It seems to go that the couples share chores but I am expected to do it all on my own (cooking for 10 plus- I only usually cook for 1!) Im also a vegetarian and they are all meat eaters, I do not expect them to make me a separate meal, I usually sort out my own main. I have suggested that I buddy up with an older child as this is a fairer division of labour. This was scoffed at. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
MrsSiriusBlack1 · 05/08/2023 18:46

Fuck that! Say no!

Cheekyandfreaky · 05/08/2023 18:46

They expect you as a vegetarian to cook meat but they don't prepare anything for you? I really don't think you should be doing anything for them.

pastypirate · 05/08/2023 18:47

Stop going I would. Yanbu in any way.

TheNoonBell · 05/08/2023 18:47

Use the veggie card and cook all your own meals.

Thelaundryfairyhasbeenassassinated · 05/08/2023 18:47

What do you get out of the holiday? Is it worth the extra chores you have to do while there?

ninjafoodienovice · 05/08/2023 18:47

If they don't cook for you then why in earth are you cooking for everyone else?
Just say that you'll cook veggie only and if they want meat they can do it themselves
Assert your boundaries!!
Who cares if you are 'scoffed' at.
Are you usually the scapegoat of the family?

Glitterblue · 05/08/2023 18:47

Teaming up with an older child sounds very fair to me. If I were one of the other adults I couldn’t just sit and watch you cooking on your own for 10 though, I would have to help.

Topseyt123 · 05/08/2023 18:49

Don't go on the holiday. It doesn't sound like much of a break anyway.

Frenchfancy · 05/08/2023 18:51

Stop trying to compete, and just buy margarita pizzas for everyone on your day. Or a big pan of pasta with some pesto.

TerfTalking · 05/08/2023 18:53

There needs to be a rota and all the older kids roped in with different adults and DC taking turns with each other. You should be in a 2.

MatildaTheCat · 05/08/2023 19:01

This is mumsnet so make a ‘massive salad’ and if you can bear to cook meat roast a small chicken. It will leave everyone stuffed.

YANBU, just say you’ll buddy up with another couple or do a couple of desserts. Cooking for 11 is a big job if you have no experience.

CherryMaDeara · 05/08/2023 19:03

You should cook every 5th day (after the two couples cook 4 days).

Are they expecting you to cook every 3rd day?

Youdoyoutoday · 05/08/2023 19:07

So cook basic pasta in tomato sauce or pesto, salad, olives and get some nice bread. Its not difficult.

Stompythedinosaur · 05/08/2023 19:13

Surely you make the division of labour fairer by you cooking a less arduous meal rather than picking a kid to give extra chores to?

In honesty, when a couple is cooking, I imagine there a chance that means one of them is cooking and the other is supervising dc, so I'm not sure you are as worse off as you think.

Hufflepods · 05/08/2023 19:16

I mean it’s not really a far comparison though, if they have kids which clearly some do they aren’t both cooking as one will be in and out sorting the kids out.
Cooking a handful of times on holiday when other people are cooking for you the rest of the time is hardly a massive hardship.

Whataretheodds · 05/08/2023 19:19

OK so 5 adults, each takes a meal? Or a day? How long are you there for?

You could offer to share sources of veggie recipes if people are struggling to source ideas for your dinner.

maddening · 05/08/2023 19:21

Each adult takes a day - no buddying up

Original poster
Inane1 · 05/08/2023 19:21

Thanks, lots of different perspectives here. Kids are mid teens and are pretty good cooks. Some of the suggestions for easy meals are helpful so pasta or pizza. Or I might go for ready made. Thanks for all the responses. Appreciate it.

OP posts:
DarkForces · 05/08/2023 19:26

I think that's what I'd do...maybe ready made veggie/meat lasagna, salad and garlic bread (or just veg if you prefer). If I'm really feeling lazy I bung ready made tomato sauce over pasta, add cheese and bung in the oven for 20 mins. Just keep it simple.

But if I was cooking for a group I'd cater for you too. There's usually a simple vegetarian substitution you can make

mrsm43s · 05/08/2023 20:06

I don't think you should try to rope the kids in - it's not a recipe (see what I did there?) for a harmonious holiday.

Keep it simple, pre-prepared where possible, and yes, vegetarian, if you like.

  • Baked camembert, with breadsticks, carrot batons, celery sticks, fresh bread
  • Stir fry veg (pre prepared) and noodles and ready made sauces
  • Ready made pizza, garlic bread and pre prepped salad
  • Fresh packet tortelloni with ready made fresh tomato sauce and garlic bread
  • veggie sausages, oven chips and baked beans
etc, etc.

All of those things would be pretty simple to cook for 10.

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