PRICEY PLAY
I charge for playdates – kids are billed for snacks, electric & even to use soap…eventually their mums stop sending them
The parents were not impressed and made their thoughts about her bill clear
A FRUGAL mum has infuriated parents online and within her own community by revealing that she charges for items that kids consume while at her house for playdates.
Brianna Weimar listed all of the items she bills other parents for including everything from snacks to pumps of soap used when washing their hands.
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After sending an American equivalent to PayPal request of £28 to one mum, the 33-year-old from Monroe, Washington, USA, found herself in a heated argument and was thanked for her 'hospitality'.
She said: "Parents have been shocked, confused, angry, saying that they will not send their kids over to our house anymore.
"People have been very critical, they do not agree with this method at all."
The mum of two started considering charging people for the things their children consume at her house when prices start to rise, and she found herself being affected by the cost-of-living increase.
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To prepare, she told how she created her own spreadsheet to make sure her prices were fair and even.
Although she found herself in a disagreement with one mum, she confirmed that the Venmo request was actually paid.
In this instance, she charged for snacks, meals, drinks, pumps of soap, 45 minute of electricity, cleaning fee for spilt juice and even 10 minutes using markets pens.
She said: "Food is getting so expensive now, I was constantly refilling my kids snacks from all of their friends being over to play at our house.
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"I have a very detailed spreadsheet of all of the snacks my kids eat on a regular basis and supplies they use.
"I calculate how much each individual piece of food or pump of soap cost.
My daughter refused to do chores so I cancelled her playdate - I wont let her ‘eat me alive’ but trolls say it’s harsh
"For example, I weighed out how many ounces each pump of soap is. Then I took the cost of the bottle of soap and divided by the ounces.
"I've been charged myself one time, my son broke a very valuable base at someone’s house and they charged me for it."
How I feel about this as a mum
By Sun reporter, Michelle Harris, a mum-of-one to 13-year-old son
Playdates are a funny thing. We say it’s for the children, but a lot of the time it’s the mums who need it the most.
It’s the break we need from the routine. It’s the smiles we see on our children's faces, and it’s all about the mummy friends we make in the process.
Building a mum village can help you carry the weight of parenting and on the days where it all seems too much, you can call in that favour of a returned playdate to give you the break you need.
Playdates allow you some time to tap out or reconnect.
They also allow our children to learn through socialisation - so personally for me, the benefits outweigh the costs.
But we must remember the cost of living affects every household differently.
What some might be able to afford to share with guests, others may not - and it could set them back, taking them into overdraft for weeks ahead.
If this is your circumstance, set healthy boundaries and manage people’s expectations before billing them. This will help to avoid arguments.
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