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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to refuse to let relatives take my children’s Easter eggs to donate to a food bank?

296 replies

ConnectionsAndWordle · 19/04/2026 14:04

We had relatives visiting yesterday who saw our children’s Easter eggs and throughout the day kept commenting that they have too many. I said they’ll eat them eventually so not to worry. They do have a lot, but they are all aged 15+ so perfectly capable of deciding what they want to eat. One child opened one during the day and offered it around. They’ve been sharing them with friends and will eat them so they won’t go to waste.

As my relatives were leaving, they said they would take some of the eggs and donate them to a food bank and started putting some in a bag. I told her to stop as kids would eat them. They continued choosing which ones to take so I again told them no.

One of my children came downstairs to tell them to leave them alone as well and asked them to put them back. Relative told my child (teen) that she should think of others and not be so selfish. I told her not to call my child selfish for not wanting to give away eggs that are theirs.

Relatives husband said I was being unreasonable and selfish, like my child. My husband then came home which stopped the conversation. They left soon after, without the eggs, but clearly weren’t happy.

They have sent me a text this morning to say they were disappointed in what I said and for siding with my child and that they would like an apology as they were ‘told off’ and were ‘made to feel embarrassed.’

Would you even bother to respond? It’s completely pathetic but I don’t feel like I have anything to apologise for.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/04/2026 14:28

I’m sorry you were disappointed but you placed us in an awkward situation which has made everyone feel uncomfortable

Replace I'm sorry with It's a shame you were disappointed
The apology should be from the CF

Clefable · 19/04/2026 14:30

Cheeky fuckers. If they want to donate stuff to the food bank then they should, you know, buy it themselves instead of nicking it from other people.

CautiousLurker2 · 19/04/2026 14:34

I’D reply that “a) THEY were utterly selfish to expect to confiscate the property of your children when DC were perfectly free to decide whether they would like to donate them or not and b) no respectable food bank would take unwanted easter eggs/sweets to distribute to families [especially so far after Easter], anyway. They want healthy food and staples. And c) there are pre Easter charity drives where your family are welcome to buy and donate an egg at that stage next year, should they wish to, but they are out of order to behave the way they have.”

Nogimachi · 19/04/2026 14:36

No, do not dignify that with a response. They have absolutely no right to tell your children what to do with their Easter eggs. And they know that since otherwise they would have continued the conversation with your husband. 100% delete and ignore - or if a response is needed out of politeness then the usual “Thanks for coming, was good to see you, we’ll do it again soon” and no comment on Easter eggs. Some people!!

ConnectionsAndWordle · 19/04/2026 14:38

Not my in-laws, my side of the family unfortunately. My parents.

They definitely wouldn’t have been taking them for themselves as my mum rarely eats junk food and she wouldn’t be encouraging my dad to as she makes him very conscious of his health too.

I think I’ll just leave it and not reply. I won’t see them til at least July.

OP posts:
PolkaDotPorridge · 19/04/2026 14:39

Bloody cheek! wouldn’t have them in my house ever again.

Happyjoe · 19/04/2026 14:39

Bloody hell, don't invite them back in a hurry! Your poor kids, having their own possessions taken away. Nice one mum for stopping them! If they were so passionate about donating eggs, they should've bought some themselves, but then it's easy to be generous with someone else's money.

Morepositivemum · 19/04/2026 14:39

Response- I’m disappointed you thought it was ok to steal candy for a child- laughy face. Seriously though, it got out of hand with all of us yesterday, hope you’re having a good day

Sprogonthetyne · 19/04/2026 14:39

I'd reply something like "I'm so sorry you found it embarrassing when I had to ask you to stop stealing my children possessions" but then I'm a passive aggressive bitch

Bunnybackinherwarren · 19/04/2026 14:39

I seriously hope you never have them round again.

Delphiniumandlupins · 19/04/2026 14:39

I wouldn't bother to respond. If they bring it up again perhaps reply that you have decided to overlook their rude behaviour but will obviously consider an apology from them if they wish to make one. Next time you are at their house grab some cutlery, cushions or favourite ornaments and tell them you are donating to a local homeless charity as they have more than they need.

Bunnybackinherwarren · 19/04/2026 14:40

July? Meet them for lunch and have huge slabs of chocolate cake..

Happyjoe · 19/04/2026 14:41

Delphiniumandlupins · 19/04/2026 14:39

I wouldn't bother to respond. If they bring it up again perhaps reply that you have decided to overlook their rude behaviour but will obviously consider an apology from them if they wish to make one. Next time you are at their house grab some cutlery, cushions or favourite ornaments and tell them you are donating to a local homeless charity as they have more than they need.

Ha ha, this made me chuckle. Yeah, OP, grab a box and start filling it with things... they may just get the message!

Nogimachi · 19/04/2026 14:41

ChequerToRed · 19/04/2026 14:18

There’s really nothing like a misplaced sense of moral superiority to bring out the utter shitbag in people

Haha this is so true!!

PurpleThistle7 · 19/04/2026 14:41

CautiousLurker2 · 19/04/2026 14:34

I’D reply that “a) THEY were utterly selfish to expect to confiscate the property of your children when DC were perfectly free to decide whether they would like to donate them or not and b) no respectable food bank would take unwanted easter eggs/sweets to distribute to families [especially so far after Easter], anyway. They want healthy food and staples. And c) there are pre Easter charity drives where your family are welcome to buy and donate an egg at that stage next year, should they wish to, but they are out of order to behave the way they have.”

Absolutely bizarre to try to take your food but just in case others read this - I volunteer at our food bank regularly and we definitely want treats as well as healthy food. It’s really lovely when we can pop in some fancy biscuits for a new mum or give a family some sweets. A food bank won’t typically buy this sort of stuff with their own fundraising money but it’s definitely used if donated.

However that’s for food that’s donated, not stolen from grandchildren! Super strange.

VeraWang · 19/04/2026 14:41

Lol I just can't imagine them actually getting a bag and putting the Easter eggs in.

Mrsknowitall · 19/04/2026 14:41

ConnectionsAndWordle · 19/04/2026 14:04

We had relatives visiting yesterday who saw our children’s Easter eggs and throughout the day kept commenting that they have too many. I said they’ll eat them eventually so not to worry. They do have a lot, but they are all aged 15+ so perfectly capable of deciding what they want to eat. One child opened one during the day and offered it around. They’ve been sharing them with friends and will eat them so they won’t go to waste.

As my relatives were leaving, they said they would take some of the eggs and donate them to a food bank and started putting some in a bag. I told her to stop as kids would eat them. They continued choosing which ones to take so I again told them no.

One of my children came downstairs to tell them to leave them alone as well and asked them to put them back. Relative told my child (teen) that she should think of others and not be so selfish. I told her not to call my child selfish for not wanting to give away eggs that are theirs.

Relatives husband said I was being unreasonable and selfish, like my child. My husband then came home which stopped the conversation. They left soon after, without the eggs, but clearly weren’t happy.

They have sent me a text this morning to say they were disappointed in what I said and for siding with my child and that they would like an apology as they were ‘told off’ and were ‘made to feel embarrassed.’

Would you even bother to respond? It’s completely pathetic but I don’t feel like I have anything to apologise for.

Tell them that your neighbour from number 33 needs a new sofa and you’ll be round to collect it for them, as it will be selfish of them if they now keep it knowing someone else is in need of it 🤪🙄 seriously though who does that

Sam9769 · 19/04/2026 14:43

Tell them to F off!

8misskitty8 · 19/04/2026 14:44

I'd reply with 'We don't apologise to thieves'

Sunshineandoranges · 19/04/2026 14:44

BIWI · 19/04/2026 14:08

I assume you're talking about your parents-in-law?

Why assume this?

Thepeopleversuswork · 19/04/2026 14:44

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/04/2026 14:18

Outrageous behaviour on their part. I'd be tempted to respond along the following lines:

I'm so sorry you felt that we were being selfish. We will reflect on this. In the meantime, I'll be popping round to your house later on to select some items that I can donate to the charity shop. Will be bringing dc with me so that they can see you modelling a more appropriate response in this scenario.

This.

Presumptuous, sanctimonious twats. Need putting back in their box.

WallaceinAnderland · 19/04/2026 14:44

They have sent me a text this morning to say they were disappointed in what I said and for siding with my child and that they would like an apology as they were ‘told off’ and were ‘made to feel embarrassed.’

"You should feel embarrassed. You tried to steal something from my house."

GlosGirl82 · 19/04/2026 14:45

I honestly can’t believe them - that’s awful. We’ll done to your child for standing up for themselves!

TalulahJP · 19/04/2026 14:45

unbelievable behaviour from them.

it’s not ok to take other peoples things - especially presents gifted by someone else, without permission.

what if they have too many toys will they just take them?
or too many nailvarnishes, or perfumes, or shoes?

i think i would reply along the lines of saying “im sorry you felt embarrassed, as that was not my intention.

However you were trying to take easter gifts that had been carefully chosen by friends and relatives and personally given to my children.

I know you meant well but they won’t be getting any more sweets and these will last them all year.

Be assured that I already give to the food bank when i go shopping and pop extras in the collecting point. So there was no need for you to become involved.”

BiddlyBipBipBeeBop · 19/04/2026 14:46

The dignified response is to ignore. I’d love to reply that they should be embarrassed because their behaviour was appalling. And no, you will not be getting an apology.