Page 4 | AIBU to worry my son has too little to open?

LejlaKapovic · 21/08/2026 20:23

Iloveegyptt · 21/08/2026 19:15

my DS is 6 on Monday and I have just had to fix my car which cost me a fortune. I feel like I haven’t bought him enough. I have bought him a full sized football net, football boots, trainers a new football and an iPad. I just think he won’t be happy as it isn’t much to open.

What is considered "enough gifts"? And why is X amount of gifts considered more "enough" than Y amount of gifts? Surely, it's not about the amount of gifts but the quality of them? It's better to give 1-3 things a person really wants and needs than 10 things they won't be bothered about, and will probably end up in the trash.

HollyhocksandPeons · 21/08/2026 20:22

First I was saving to pay for my dc schooling, then I paid alone for it for years, so from first birthday there was one gift, wrapped - maybe two. But I think that even if I did have spare money on top, I would have stuck to one or two presents. You are spoiling him, don't do it!

Favouritefruits · 21/08/2026 20:20

5 gift! That’s plenty and I go overboard! It’s not Xmas I think that’s more than enough!

Pineapplewaves · 21/08/2026 20:20

If I was getting my 6 year old an iPad for his birthday that would be all he’d be getting. My son would appreciate how much that cost and would be happy with that.

I would give the iPad and put the rest away for Christmas or vice versa.

You can give lots of things to open without the items being expensive if that’s important to you - stationary, sweets, board games, books, clothes they might need…

Cla7 · 21/08/2026 20:18

I call a rage bait / brag. OP will know very well that the majority of people spend less than what they’ve listed on a 6-year-olds birthday.

StressedOutPeanut · 21/08/2026 20:17

For god sake the football stuff would of been enough but a bloody ipad and your worried? Get a grip.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 21/08/2026 20:17

Gowlett · 21/08/2026 20:14

Interesting to read the iPad comments though! Elsewhere on MN it’s almost a crime to have a child in public spaces sans device…

No it isn’t, mumsnet hates iPads for kids

Gowlett · 21/08/2026 20:14

Interesting to read the iPad comments though! Elsewhere on MN it’s almost a crime to have a child in public spaces sans device…

FlorenceAndTheVagine · 21/08/2026 20:13

rage bait.

And if it’s not, look up the studies on the impact of screen-time on developing brains. Absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary for a child of six (six!) to have their own iPad.

Handrearedmagpie · 21/08/2026 20:11

Seriously? It's not Xmas! Birthdays are one gift & a fun day out here!!

Ilikewinter · 21/08/2026 20:08

Iloveegyptt · 21/08/2026 19:41

I would have loved to have done a party but all his favourite friends are on holiday so I also feel guilty about that now too. I did take my eldest with her friend and my son and his friend to the play centre a few days ago which cost quite a bit with food etc but it’s like they don’t realise, I think they are becoming spoiled to be honest. My daughter last year counted the presents she had and said she got more the year before! I was livid!

Well, this is the result you get from spoiling them with ridiculous presents. Love to see what they will be expecting for birthdays and Christmas in 5 years time.

SometimesTheIntrusiveThoughtsWin · 21/08/2026 20:08

This has to be a pisstake.

ShedShedShed · 21/08/2026 20:08

imisscashmere · 21/08/2026 20:07

What does a six year old do with an iPad, out of interest?

Play crappy games, watch crappy videos, ruin their attention span, decrease their socialising abilities, lose their imagination and ability to play.

imisscashmere · 21/08/2026 20:07

What does a six year old do with an iPad, out of interest?

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 21/08/2026 20:01

You've failed him..you must buy more much more.
A private shopping session in Hanley's and to pick what he wants.

Anything less is a bit..meh.

Activelife · 21/08/2026 20:00

A woman up the street from me, got her 7 year old a gardening set mini wheelbarrow, watering can tools seeds etc the whole show, even a mini fence he could make plots with.
Then she and her patner put a fence in the back garden right at the back with a gate on it.
And thats his part of the garden to do what he wants in.
The way they did it is brilliant, and he loves it, no matter the weather he`s outside in his garden.
It was a light bulb moment when his nan said she had got him a rain coat and a pair of wellies for his birthday.
And the fact he loved digging and planting.

He`s now ask for a watering butt to catch rain water in for xmas.

Pieceofpurplesky · 21/08/2026 19:59

Shades of Dudley Dursely OP. Return the iPad and get him some books and toys.

blankcanvas3 · 21/08/2026 19:58

6 year olds don’t need iPads. Hope your humble brag made you feel better about yourself though x

Mooselander · 21/08/2026 19:58

He’s 6. He absolutely does not need and shouldn’t be getting an iPad; it just isn’t appropriate.

Return it and spend it on suitable gifts for a child, like crafts, board games etc.

Howmanycatsistoomany · 21/08/2026 19:57

An iPad for a 6-year old? Absolutely nuts.

Createausername1970 · 21/08/2026 19:56

takealettermsjones · 21/08/2026 19:16

I'll probably get torn apart but I'd return the iPad and use the money to buy toys, books, craft stuff etc.

Yep!

At that age, quantity over quality still reigns, and the amount you spent on an iPad could have bought more cheaper toys, games or activities that you could do with him, together, as a family ......

Jellycatspyjamas · 21/08/2026 19:53

Iloveegyptt · 21/08/2026 19:41

I would have loved to have done a party but all his favourite friends are on holiday so I also feel guilty about that now too. I did take my eldest with her friend and my son and his friend to the play centre a few days ago which cost quite a bit with food etc but it’s like they don’t realise, I think they are becoming spoiled to be honest. My daughter last year counted the presents she had and said she got more the year before! I was livid!

So you return the iPad and buy some smaller bits for him to open, but honestly you need to get a grip of their ingratitude, not feed it by buying even more.

Rabbitmother1 · 21/08/2026 19:53

takealettermsjones · 21/08/2026 19:16

I'll probably get torn apart but I'd return the iPad and use the money to buy toys, books, craft stuff etc.

Me too!

Morepositivemum · 21/08/2026 19:52

If you have no money how did you get the iPad? Kinetic sand/ play dough a and a book and put the rest of the money away

AndyKitten · 21/08/2026 19:52

Bloody hell.

I used to get paints and a couple of books.