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Original poster

Would this make you laugh or feel uncomfortable. I need a MN consensus.

32 replies

florentina1 · 01/03/2019 09:09

We get on really well with our kids and their partners. They are arranging a celebration for a significant anniversary for me and DH. 10 years ago we all went away for my birthday and they gave me a photo album filled with pictures from my life.

DH thought it would be ‘a laugh’ to give them a similar album each. Covering their babyhood to marriage. I don’t know if it is a good idea.
I know that we should know our own kids but we seem to have different ideas about how it will be received.

OP posts:
YouBumder · 01/03/2019 09:10

I think it sounds nice :)

MummySharkBabyShark · 01/03/2019 09:10

I think it’s cute. Why would it be a laugh?

CielBleuEtNuages · 01/03/2019 09:12

I think it would be lovely. But why a laugh? Unless DH means only picking the worst photos of them in which case it would be nasty not nice.

SquareTriangle · 01/03/2019 09:14

Seeing as they did that for you, I think it's a lovely idea and will go down well.

It was ten years ago though that they did your photo album. Do you think they'll remember doing it? Perhaps a little written message on the album you're giving to your children saying that you loved the one they did for you, so here's something similar.

BertrandRussell · 01/03/2019 09:16

Not sure why it would be either uncomfortable or a laugh. Won’t it just be lovely?

Parsleyisntfood · 01/03/2019 09:17

Why would this make them feel uncomfortable? Because the partners aren’t involved? It sounds nice to me, and I would say ‘a laugh’ in this context.

Strugglingtodomybest · 01/03/2019 09:19

My dad did this for his kids on our 40th. Im not sure what the problem is?

zod1ac19 · 01/03/2019 09:24

I’m confused too, why would it be ‘a laugh’ unless you’d be picking embarrassing photos??

If nice photos it would be lovely.

Jinglejanglefish · 01/03/2019 09:30

Surely it’s neither? Just a nice gift.

Seeline · 01/03/2019 09:33

I would love that from my mum. Don't know what the problem would be unless it would remind them of something/someone lost etc

tessiegirl · 01/03/2019 09:34

A lovely idea

LoniceraJaponica · 01/03/2019 09:35

I did this for DD's 18th birthday. She loved it.

Gentlemanwiththistledownhair · 01/03/2019 09:37

My mum also did this for my 21st. I love it! Although it lives at her house because she couldn't quite give it to me. I'm allowed it when she dies! Grin

Butteredghost · 01/03/2019 09:39

Why would it be a embarrassing or awkward. It would be a lovely gift. Not sure how old your kids are but assuming they are 25+, they were born in the age before digital cameras so there weren't copies of all the photos floating around on everyone's computer like there are now. There was only one copy and you have it.

My mum did this for me and I love it.

Original poster
florentina1 · 01/03/2019 09:45

He would definitely not pick horrible photos. I think by ‘be a laugh’ he meant it would provoke them to laugh when they saw them. He did not mean laughing at them, just laughing with them. My album had a section devoted to ‘My Hair’ ranging from closely cropped, poodle perms, streaky colours of pink and green etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
florentina1 · 01/03/2019 09:46

They are over 40 but DH put the photos on his PC years ago. We have loads.

OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 01/03/2019 10:21

I’m in my late 30s and would adore that as a present (I’m really unsentimental so I’d be surprised if anyone didn’t, tbh).

Sn0tnose · 01/03/2019 11:01

I think that's a lovely idea.

HollowTalk · 01/03/2019 11:03

It's a lovely idea but I don't think I'd include pictures of past partners and I'd definitely make sure every photo was flattering.

Kennehora · 01/03/2019 11:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JRMisOdious · 01/03/2019 11:07

I may be thick - distinct possibility - but don’t people generally have photo albums covering their life Confused

Original poster
florentina1 · 01/03/2019 12:01

@Kennehora thank you for that comment. I am really guilty of overthinking things and that was bothering me. However because of the size of the family I did not want it to be too big . For those that commented about, why I used the word uncomfortable, well that was the reason.
All of my DC’s partners are amazing. Not the type to take offence but I always am over cautious in dealing with anyone, not just family.
I thought of finishing with a wedding photo of each with a very nice comment about them and the future .

@JRMisOdious, I don’t think they do have any photos of themselves as children. You are not thick, I posted because I wanted lots of opinions and that is another good point.

I have a great hoard of GCs who will be attending and I don’t think they have seen photos of their parents as children.

OP posts:
GunpowderGelatine · 01/03/2019 12:25

What a lovely idea. This is the kind of family set up I hope to have when mine are grown up Smile

Bubblysqueak · 01/03/2019 12:35

My mil did this for my husband for his 40th birthday, he treasures it.

WildFlower2019 · 01/03/2019 17:05

I'm early 30s and would love that gift x