To think no one does this - Christmas toys related

What were you buying them that took 15 man hours to build???

It depends on the toys. When one got their first tablet I made sure it was charged and ready with games and apps set up to use straight away.

I noticed you ask about a switch. When mine progressed much later to Nintendo switches I made sure their accounts were set up, they were charged and that they could just play with them. They do require software updates and sometimes the games themselves need ann update so worth checking those. They need an online account to be able to play some games so worth looking into those and paying and setting those up. Other toys that required less set up were left to the day.

I’ve had to also remind family who buy toys requiring batteries to buy the batteries as that’s always a big help.

The child (well shes a teen now and enjoys building her own!) Was just extremely impatient and wanted to play with the set when built. It was a very strange situation.

Really?
Why would anyone do that, surely not?
Do they build their kids jigsaws too?

They are missing the point of Lego or they are buying stuff that is far to complicated for the child.

The only thing I ever pre-built was one of those play tables for a brio style train set. It took me a couple of hours on Christmas Eve after the children were in bed. The train set itself was wrapped in the box though, as the child it was for always had very fixed ideas on the acceptable shape of his train loops.

I’m another one who liked to have a massive stash of batteries procured. Christmas morning essentials down the side of the sofa was a small box containing scissors, screwdriver, and all the batteries.

This thread is pretty judgy.

We've all made mistakes parenting, while simultaneously knocking it out of the park.

I check how many batteries are needed and tape them to the inside of the box lid. That's it?

I am not talking about 5 minutes for out of the package situations but a situation where assembly took 3 adults 5 hours to put it together!

Exactly! They would probably be on the
Stately Homes thread!

a very memorable christmas was the gameboy game being empty! i should have done better.
it didnt teach me any lessons though except i try to buy batteries

I think it’s reasonable to buy the required batteries and ensure compatibly of games.

My son (age 5) loves unboxing his presents and most that need batteries are testable in box with already installed ones. Most toys are still good to play with without batteries and knowing you can replace one without an electronic function in a few days to make it better can add excitement.

I am sure if the radio controlled monster truck doesn’t work there will be tears but knowing it can be fixed/ replaced and Stil played with by hand means it will still be enjoyable on the day.

Setting up toys and gifts is part of the fun and also builds resilience against disappointment. Providing instantly ready gifts provides I stand gratification and can lead to children being unable to master the life skill of setting up new thi gs and learning how to use them. This could backfire when they are adults and need a new washing machine or similar…
That being said if you but if you buy year round then it may be a good idea to test the toys in case you can’t send them back.

I know someone who builds their kids lego sets for them!

It's not. The big sets like castle or pirate ship are great for 3 yo to play with but my dyspraxic child could not do it. It took me two hours just by myself and there were a couple of bits that once you snapped them in place that was it, so if you got it wrong you were fucked. I nearly sodded up the drawbridge which is the best bit. As I said, my DD is a different story and loved doing it herself, but you do what makes for a happy Christmas for your kids in your house. So much unnecessary judgement on here.

I am kind of with AgathaLioness here. She is explaining to you in particular that it many respects, she was a good mum, who tried hard. Absent dads do not get this kind of grief. She must have been very unhappy to leave her kids, albeit temporarily.

She sounds pretty manic- make sure there are batteries and leave it at that- it sounds as if she wants to play the "I was a better mother than you are" game, which is usually played because of guilt- don't engage.

Great summary!

Edited as have just spotted you said some kids, which is fair, some probably are. Not all though for sure! Everyone's on their own journey, what works for you may not for others and vice versa. Hard to see with something like this why either way would matter so much to the other.

We do it. My children do not act like brats. They've each asked for one gift and some sweets on their Christmas list. Hardly over commercial. They have plenty of opportunities to wait, share, deal with disappointment etc throughout the year. I don't give in to every whim, or even most of them. But on Christmas morning having the Father Christmas gifts ready to go is part of the magic for us. Not that there's much set up or testing this year with a hot wheels car and a doll.

I remember the excitement of a toy on Christmas morning and my hands being too small to open the plastic and deal with the fixings. Then having to wait for an adult to get batteries etc when they were also busy cooking, hosting, celebrating etc. It likely wasn't a long wait in fairness but as an excited kid it felt like an age. We were raised not to nag adults or be asking for stuff multiple times. There were 5 of us and our mother had little patience. Wasn't worth it to get in trouble so you'd sit there with your tantalising toy you were desperate to play with waiting for someone to help. Guess it's part of me trying to make little things better for the next generation that that's something I try to avoid with the FC gifts. But again just me, you do you.

I was gonna say the same! She may have done some of that stuff but playing a video game so she can help them - absolute rhubarb! Checking out lego instructions can be done as you're building, who's gonna remember a full book of instructions??

Playmobil is like Lego why would you build it?

You get on with her? That’s impressive tbh