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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wish my mum would stop trying to give me stuff

104 replies

WoIsMe · 24/10/2026 12:16

For context, I have a large family (four children) and live in a cramped house where we don’t have a lot of space. In recent weeks my mum has tried to give me the following:

  1. A huge plate warmer that I don’t have the space to store or anywhere to put when in use. I already own a small plate warmer that fits on top of my microwave AND an electric hostess trolley.
  2. Six new plain white pillowcases when I already have complete sets of bedding for every bed in my house plus spares.
  3. Three sets of bathroom mats when I already have a set and a spare set for each bathroom.
  4. Two net curtains that don’t fit any of the windows in my house.
  5. An ice cream maker that she got from the charity shop for £5 before realising the bowl didn’t fit in her freezer. I don’t have much kitchen storage space and I’ve never even aspired to make my own ice cream.
  6. A huge electric fire that, again, I don’t have anywhere to put while in use or to store.
  7. A large, empty Christmas cake tin. I have no idea why I want that at all, especially in October. I have plenty of storage containers.

I don’t understand why she keeps trying to give me things I don’t need and/or have nowhere to store. Some of them she had lying around but others she has bought specially for me even though I don’t want or need them. I feel bad saying no to her but why does she keep doing it?

So AIBU to wish she would stop trying to give me random items?

OP posts:
Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 20:34

WoIsMe · Yesterday 19:51

OMG an empty ice cream tub of free toothpaste samples from the dentist. She thinks the kids would like them for school trips. Why does she even collect them up in a tub?

Tbh I collect those from both dentists and plane amenities kits. I give them to a charity in Cambodia

EvieBB · Yesterday 22:10

WoIsMe · Yesterday 19:51

OMG an empty ice cream tub of free toothpaste samples from the dentist. She thinks the kids would like them for school trips. Why does she even collect them up in a tub?

I wouldn't mind the toothpaste....at least it's useful and something I would use :)

RobertaFirmino · Yesterday 22:55

WoIsMe · Yesterday 19:51

OMG an empty ice cream tub of free toothpaste samples from the dentist. She thinks the kids would like them for school trips. Why does she even collect them up in a tub?

Any foodbank would be grateful for these. Or a refugee centre, if you have one nearby.

Single50something · Today 18:09

Same. Seems from the thread to be a mum thing. I try saying no and sometimes it works and sometimes not so well.

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