Being given food

Firevixen

Im 27 and my mum helps me quite often. However for christmas dinner me and my 2 children and my brothers went to my mums house, and between us we bought most of the food(including all the meat from the butchers), as it was a tough time moneywise for our parents. I think most people are in a similar situation at the moment and we all try and help each other out. Thats what families are for, no matter what age you are.

retromother

Lol I have a shopaholic MIL who we sometimes stay with. She always buys in way too much food and we end up taking tons home. If we didn't it would be wasted and I hate to think of good food going to waste. We repay her with things she will find helpful/lovely such as making her scrapbooks of the grandkids or when I would travel with work I'd pick up cute things that would look nice in her home.

Aarons_mummy

My mum is the exact same. When I go to her house I can often leave with up to 5 bags filled with food! If she see's an offer in the shops she buys it and sticks it in the freezer for me. Almost every week she takes me and my son out to lunch even though I tell her not to. She basically pays for all his clothes throughout the year as she buys them in the sales and he gets them at Christmas and his birthday.

We both get an easter egg and an immense amount of christmas presents. If she knows I'm going over she will buy fruit and veg in to give me some. She says she does it because I go over and chop all her fruit into tubs, makes sandwich fillers, make lunches up for the week, sort out any problems with her tv or laptop, make up meals and fill her freezer when i see her as well as finding her the cheapest price on certain items.

I do feel bad taking things because she isn't really well off or anything but despite my protesting she still does it so I now just accept graciously and thank her as it means I can use my money for something else.

My son's Gran also does this but it's more with household items, she buys things and then changes her mind and buy's something else so regularly I will end up with a new kettle or a bin or cooking dishes. Again it's something I don't have to pay for and it's always a good brand.

I am very grateful but I know that I will miss it when the time comes my mum is no longer here. I will do the exact same for my son. I think it's just one of those things you do

YORKSHIRELASS

My Mum calls round with things that were "on offer" in the supermarket and she just had to buy them for me because she knows how the kids love tuna or how much washing powder I go through or whatever. I suspect that half the time these things arent on offer but she doesnt want to make me feel uncomfortable. Bless her.

I always offer to pay though, even though she never accepts.

The thing is a multipack of tinned tuna or a box of washing powder makes a big difference to me and Mum knows its a better way of helping out than offering me cash which I wouldnt accept.

What a nice thread btw!

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I have a daughter turning 40 in a few weeks I buy stuff for her all the time.
I do it because I want to,shes not hard up but when I go food shopping if I see things I buy them for her.
We're not pensioners (I'm 57) so are'nt on a limited income yet and I just like to treat her.
I do the same for my 21 year old grand-daughter.
She recently moved into a flat of her own so I buy her food and toiletries as I hate to think she may be doing without stuff she needs.
Mums like to spoil their kids,we enjoy it.
It makes us feel useful.

Absinthe_2

Your Mum sounds lovely tiff. Approx 12 years ago, when my then OH and I were temporarily struggling, his mum used to drop a couple of bags of shopping, on her way back from Tesco's. Really well thought out stuff too. Loo roll, kitchen roll, bread, cheese, ham, meat, veg, milk, cereal, teabags, etc, (was rather generous, think she duplicated what she bought herself).

It made such a difference though, as I'd have never asked, would have rather have gone without. Was so thoughtful, and discreet.

I'm sure you'd do the same for your children if able, so enjoy!

Diflower

When I was really struggling my mum would call round when she knew I wasn't home and leave a carrier bag hooked on the back door.
It would be things like a big jar of coffee, tea bags, box of washing powder, block of decent cheese...it was lovely of her and she knew I'd be embarrassed if she actually handed it to me.
When I wasn't struggling, it would just be the occasional treat, sometimes a pub lunch, still much appreciated and something no-one else would do for you.
Those of you that are fortunate enough to still have a mum who does it, just give her a big hug next time you see her and let her know that you know how lucky you are:)

babyshoes

This thread is really making me miss my Mum! We live a long way away (approx 12 hour flight) and I am sure if we lived closer to eachother we would do the same sort of thing.

I know she and her Mum used to give eachother food and treats they knew the other would like/found on special so bought lots/had growing/got lots of from a neighbour etc - like a constant swapping of 'stuff' with no records being kept. I am sure the same happened within the rest of the extended family too, though it was so natural I never really noticed it.

I find myself doing the same now though with colleagues and friends (who after all are the family you choose!) I end up saying things like "Do you eat xyz, coz I got loads of it on special - would you like some?" Not sure what they think about that, it just feels natural and caring to me! At least one friend regularly does the same back, so that's ok.

gallygirl

I'm just wondering when my DD will start buying ME lunches out etc :rotfl:

donnajt

My mother in law is exactly the same - every time she visits she brings us a bag of goodies, if she sees washing powder etc on offer she buys me as a couple of each (I am so blessed), she regularly buys nappies for baby and if she goes to town, she always stops in Asda and/or Iceland and buys us a goodie bag of two!