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Original poster

Ungrateful teenager ruining Christmas..

43 replies

Meltinthemiddle · 25/12/2022 11:26

He is 18 year old fgs and I can tell by his face he is already sulking about his present pile. He gave me no ideas. And the last week since finishing work I've been so ill. When I went into town there was literally nothing I could see that he likes. So I've brought him a new TV with Netflix, £70 cash towards clothes and a meal voucher and then smellies plus little bits and chocolate. He's got his first job and brought us all presents, now he's sulking because he hasn't got money left or probably anything he wants. All I said was I didn't get him clothes because he hasn't shown me anything plus hres been buying his own. I just feel so fed up and upset that I've raised such an ungrateful brat!

OP posts:
InFiveMins · 25/12/2022 11:37

Did he do a Christmas list? Probably be best to just give him cash next year then he can buy what he wants with it.

PolkaDotMankini · 25/12/2022 11:38

Wow, those are great presents! Is he always grumpy or is this a one-off? Teenagers just have days when they're grumpy for no reason they or anyone else can determine. Hopefully he'll cheer up and say thankyou after lunch.

Kittylickingplate · 25/12/2022 11:39

When mine got like that, I went back to basics, socks, jocks and chocolates. I am sorry, I bet they were lovely gifts.

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AkoraEdelherb · 25/12/2022 11:39

Yeah that’s rude. Nobody aged 18 should be sulking at Christmas presents their parents or relatives have worked hard for (physically or mentally!).

Onthecuspofabreakthrough · 25/12/2022 11:44

Has he actually said he's not happy/ungrateful? Or is it just that he isn't showing happiness or gratitude? As by 11.30 a teen is barely functioning. I would have thought a new tv would make anyone happy, unless it isn't an improvement on what he currently had. Sorry you're not happy OP.

Needmorelego · 25/12/2022 12:55

You didn't know what he wanted so you bought him a TV ?
Yeah he shouldn't be sulking or being rude but I can't believe you bought him a TV he didn't ask for.

holierthanthou73 · 25/12/2022 12:57

just ignore the little shit, have a drink and enjoy dinner!

TheChosenTwo · 25/12/2022 13:08

Sorry op, I’d be upset too, he sounds like he’s being an ungrateful brat.
I get my kids things they haven’t asked for because I know they will likely love it or at least get good use out of. Dd1 (18!) didn’t ask for a switch this year but she’s mentioned a few times that her flatmates at uni sit and play together quite a lot and that they share devices around because a couple of them don’t have one. I knew she’d like her own to join in and also to be able to play with ds and dd2 who are still at home. It was a total surprise along with pretty much everything else we got her and she was over the moon, surprised and really grateful.
Your ds might be having an off day, we don’t know him. Is he usually a sulker?

Nimbostratus100 · 25/12/2022 13:42

I'm guessing some girl hasn't texted happy Christmas wishes quite as abundantly or spontaneously as he was hoping ....

Upsidedownagain · 25/12/2022 13:56

Goes with the age. My 17 yo was moaning that she knew all the presents she was getting (she always has a list so this was 80% true), that it was all too boring and she wanted to get a train home (we are staying away). 10 minutes later she was happily exchanging presents and now is online talking to a friend.

Its probably more a result of existential angst than your choice of presents. Even I remember that teenage yearning for "more", though I didn't know what that more consisted of!

Original poster
Meltinthemiddle · 25/12/2022 14:16

Sorry just to add I brought him a TV as his broke so he only had a basic one. He didn't ask but I know he likes watching Netflix but can only do so on main TV so I brought him a new smart TV. He also gave me no Christmas list even though I asked weeks ago. He casually said a week the other day northface stuff. He has loads I wouldn't know what to choose and then I fell ill and most places have sold out. So I got him a TV, led lights and money plus voucher for the cinema, dressing gown so useful gifts etc. He seems a bit chirpier, but I did have a word before hand. It's almost like his expectations are high and he was already disappointed before he opened them.

OP posts:
anythinginapinch · 25/12/2022 14:33

It's hard for teens when they feel the magic Of Christmas has gone. A bit of (the ungrateful sod) him is a little lad wanting it all to feel magical.

bingobanjo · 25/12/2022 14:37

The presents are fine. I think it is a weird feeling you get when you’re around that age, you want to feel the magic of Christmas you would have felt a few years ago but it just doesn’t hit the same any more. It gives a strange feeling of ennui and maybe even misplaced resentment.

Within a few years you’re used to it and start enjoying Christmas more for the giving of gifts than the receiving.

Original poster
Meltinthemiddle · 25/12/2022 14:38

Yeah I think so too even I feel meh as not the same anymore but he needs to learn to be grateful. He does have his own job now so can buy stuff he wants himself. I can't magic stuff in-store or read his mind. He seems happy with the TV.so that's something I guess.

OP posts:
Ursuladevine · 25/12/2022 14:42

This is horrible Op

He is an adult

I pity his future partner

dontgobaconmyheart · 25/12/2022 16:50

He does realise that everyone else who bought presents also had to use their own money, that they earned, to buy others presents. Does he live at home?

Any adult (and he is one) who got a brand new TV, vouchers, cash and other bits for Christmas and is having a sulk needs a reality check. It must be disheartening OP but you aren't to blame - his choice to act that way and him that let himself down.

IToldYouAmillionTimesAlready · 25/12/2022 16:51

What an ungrateful little sod. Sorry, OP, but he is. Buy him less next year.

MagnoliaMix · 25/12/2022 17:34

OP it sounds like you put a lot of effort, thought and money into getting him the best presents you could think of, and a time when you were feeling poorly. I really don't see how you could have done any more/different. Please give yourself credit for what you did.You can't help his responses. You may or may not have got it right, but you really did your best to make Xmas special for him.

saveforthat · 25/12/2022 17:41

anythinginapinch · 25/12/2022 14:33

It's hard for teens when they feel the magic Of Christmas has gone. A bit of (the ungrateful sod) him is a little lad wanting it all to feel magical.

Bloody hell, people making excuses like this is why there are so many entitled little shits around. Hard is not having enough to eat or any presents. The "magic of Christmas" at 18, really?

LuluBlakey1 · 25/12/2022 17:49

anythinginapinch · 25/12/2022 14:33

It's hard for teens when they feel the magic Of Christmas has gone. A bit of (the ungrateful sod) him is a little lad wanting it all to feel magical.

Rubbish. He is working. He should know about manners, being thankful and that not everything is about him. Stop making excuses for him.

GemmaFoster · 25/12/2022 18:43

Teenagers are teenagers even at Christmas. Never stop telling him how much you love him even when he’s being a pita. X

KylieCharlene · 25/12/2022 18:47

What did he buy you?

CambsAlways · 25/12/2022 20:39

He needs a reality check! Ungrateful shit!

Iliveditwizbit · 25/12/2022 20:45

Well he’s 18 and tbh I’d expect this kind of crap from a grumpy 13yo or 15 at a push but he’s supposed to be an adult now so I’d be giving him a healthy dose of cold shoulder and a few cold hard lessons on being an ungrateful man.

AllOfThemWitches · 25/12/2022 20:48

If it's any consolation, my 11yo has transformed into a brat as the day has progressed. What the hell!?