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Original poster

Going all out for your kids on valentines day

235 replies

Supergirl1958 · 14/02/2025 20:43

Seriously when did that become a thing! Tonight I’ve been told it’s ’on me’ that I feel guilty because it’s splashed all over my social media feeds about the efforts parents have gone to, balloons, presents, cakes, breakfasts for their children on Valentine’s Day?

Like AIU to think it shouldn’t be another thing to pressure parents into feeling guilty? Like the elf and so on!!

OP posts:
mantaraya · 15/02/2025 01:13

We are raising a generation of materialistic little narcissists. I'm judging because I'm going to have to live alongside these people when they're adults.

SnowFrogJelly · 15/02/2025 00:57

splashed all over my social media feeds about the efforts parents have gone to, balloons, presents, cakes, breakfasts for their children on Valentine’s Day?

Totally ridiculous

cherish123 · 15/02/2025 00:49

Valentine's day isn't for kids. It's for someone you are involved with romantically.

Lourdes12 · 15/02/2025 00:38

It’s all just consumerism and has lost its meaning. We just give each other some hugs and kisses. My kids put a sweet note under my pillow to say how much they love me and that they have prepared a special show for me later

IridiumSky · 15/02/2025 00:10

foghead · 15/02/2025 00:04

My Dd came home from school in a panic saying she must get her best friend a gift because she's getting her a gift.
After some reassuring that of course she didn't have to buy her friend a gift as there's no special occasion.
Apparently there is. Galentines day which is a day before valentines and is a celebration of friendship.

Balls.

I have reached the end of my analysis.

Zoflorabore · 15/02/2025 00:07

I went all out for my daughter today, cards, decorations, lots of presents and cake etc but it is her 14th birthday so that was why!!

we don’t really acknowledge that it’s Valentine’s Day, it’s getting way over the top here now. Every year it’s getting closer to the hype it is in America.

foghead · 15/02/2025 00:04

My Dd came home from school in a panic saying she must get her best friend a gift because she's getting her a gift.
After some reassuring that of course she didn't have to buy her friend a gift as there's no special occasion.
Apparently there is. Galentines day which is a day before valentines and is a celebration of friendship.

IridiumSky · 15/02/2025 00:03

Anewyearanewday · 14/02/2025 23:54

Just in case it ever comes up in a pub quiz, St Valentine was a man.

Show quote history

Thanks. I’ve learned something. It’s slightly disturbing that I assumed this Valentine dude was female.

I just looked him up; for the first time in my life. Apparently his desiccated skull may be viewed in a church in Rome. If that’s not a reminder of the ephemeral nature of love, I don’t know what is! 💀😄

Oh, and that’s our European city break sorted for 15 Feb next year. Who says I’m not romantic? 😄

SALaw · 14/02/2025 23:59

User56785 · 14/02/2025 22:44

I hope you gave her a detention. I just asked her to sit down because she had missed the start of phonics. Now she will never know 'ff'. Sad

She'll pick it up when she hears all the mums say "ffs" when they see her at pick up time

Anewyearanewday · 14/02/2025 23:58

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:47

Apologies, but no.

I haven’t seen ANY Valentine’s cards at all, for about forty years. 😄

Show quote history

Have a walk around next year.

Even before social media became a thing, imo Valentines Day, can be a depressing day for many people. When I was in my 20s, I'd never have gone to the cinema on 14th Feb or booked a restaurant as they were full of couples.

If a funny, light hearted card can help in the smallest way, what's the harm.....?

Huckleberries · 14/02/2025 23:56

Anewyearanewday · 14/02/2025 23:54

Just in case it ever comes up in a pub quiz, St Valentine was a man.

Show quote history

I was just going to say this

Anewyearanewday · 14/02/2025 23:54

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:44

Please excuse the digression, but this thread got me thinking.

My wife and I consider the commercialisation of this arbitrary day absurd, and always ignore St-bloody-Valentine and all she stands for.

But … My wife spent all of yesterday and most of today looking at very expensive guitars on the net, occasionally asking my opinion on the colours.

Ladies! Please advise. Have I missed some subtle female language which, being only a man, I don’t understand? 😂

Just in case it ever comes up in a pub quiz, St Valentine was a man.

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/02/2025 23:54

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:32

OK, but would you send a Valentine’s card to a close (absolutely platonic) male friend and expect it not to be misinterpreted?

Show quote history

My best friend is male, he got a card and he knows it's because I love him in a platonic way.

We get each other cards every year, have done for years.

PeloMom · 14/02/2025 23:52

@IridiumSky shes heavily ‘hinting’

minipie · 14/02/2025 23:50

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:44

Please excuse the digression, but this thread got me thinking.

My wife and I consider the commercialisation of this arbitrary day absurd, and always ignore St-bloody-Valentine and all she stands for.

But … My wife spent all of yesterday and most of today looking at very expensive guitars on the net, occasionally asking my opinion on the colours.

Ladies! Please advise. Have I missed some subtle female language which, being only a man, I don’t understand? 😂

If this was me it would mean I was considering a guitar and wanted your view on colours. It would not be a subtle hint for you to buy me one, if that’s what you’re wondering.

Monstermashermashedthemonster · 14/02/2025 23:48

Itsjustnotthevibe · 14/02/2025 20:51

I didn't even get a card for my husband let alone my kids!

Same here

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:47

Anewyearanewday · 14/02/2025 23:40

Have you seen the different types of Valentine's day cards for sale?. Many of them are just quite sweet and fun.

They don't all declare the words 'I love you Wife/Husband/Boy-Girlfriend.

Show quote history

Apologies, but no.

I haven’t seen ANY Valentine’s cards at all, for about forty years. 😄

Thedogscollar · 14/02/2025 23:47

Strawberryfruitcorner · 14/02/2025 20:53

It is on you, you can’t live your life like this. You need to make your own decisions on how you live your life and own it!!

Social media is the biggest sales tool to ever exist and lots of people have fallen into the trap. It’s a consumerism dream.

We don’t do elf on a shelf.
We don’t do Christmas Eve boxes and matching pyjamas.
I didn’t do a gender reveal and post it etc etc

If people do then I’m happy for them and hope they enjoy it.

We have a brilliant life and make decisions for our family not because social media made us feel guilty.

Brilliant post, so so true. I'm 63 yrs old this year and SM has a helluva lot to answer for.
We don't need to involve ourselves in this commercialism of everything. It's so obviously unhealthy.
Don't feel guilty OP it's all such bollocks.

SALaw · 14/02/2025 23:47

What's "on you"? I don't feel any pressure whatsoever. You have a choice. Same at Christmas. I've always given my children brilliant Christmases without bothering about elf on the shelf or Christmas Eve boxes or matching pyjamas. None of that is necessary, and gifts and cards for Valentine's for social media is also not necessary. They know they're loved without any of that rubbish.

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:44

Please excuse the digression, but this thread got me thinking.

My wife and I consider the commercialisation of this arbitrary day absurd, and always ignore St-bloody-Valentine and all she stands for.

But … My wife spent all of yesterday and most of today looking at very expensive guitars on the net, occasionally asking my opinion on the colours.

Ladies! Please advise. Have I missed some subtle female language which, being only a man, I don’t understand? 😂

Anewyearanewday · 14/02/2025 23:40

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:32

OK, but would you send a Valentine’s card to a close (absolutely platonic) male friend and expect it not to be misinterpreted?

Show quote history

Have you seen the different types of Valentine's day cards for sale?. Many of them are just quite sweet and fun.

They don't all declare the words 'I love you Wife/Husband/Boy-Girlfriend.

IridiumSky · 14/02/2025 23:32

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/02/2025 23:28

It doesn't have to be. Of course, you can just celebrate romantic relationships if that's what you prefer but obviously love isn't always romantic and that can be celebrated too.

Show quote history

OK, but would you send a Valentine’s card to a close (absolutely platonic) male friend and expect it not to be misinterpreted?

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/02/2025 23:28

Teaandapple · 14/02/2025 23:23

Isn’t it? That’s news to me.

Show quote history

It doesn't have to be. Of course, you can just celebrate romantic relationships if that's what you prefer but obviously love isn't always romantic and that can be celebrated too.

purpleblue2 · 14/02/2025 23:26

whats your point? Your defensive as hell for no reason. Do it don’t do it I don’t care and I’m sure the next person don’t. I did it but the only people that know are me my daughter and her dad. The reason being is just showing her she is loved and exactly how it should be on this day.

HangingOver · 14/02/2025 23:24

The only person that got a valentine was my dog (WhatsApp message from the owner of the dog he's always snogging in training class) Grin

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