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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would it be completely crazy to give the DCs their main present today?

166 replies

ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 06:24

Three DCs, aged 9, 6 and 5.

DC1 is poorly. He has a nasty cough, fever, blocked up nose, sore throat, etc. Was up half the night, despite Calpol.

We were stuck in yesterday, we're going to be stuck in today. DCs 2 and 3 are bored and bickery, DC1 is ill, bored and bickery.

Their Christmas presents from me are Kindle Fires. I was always planning to give them to the DCs on Christmas Eve - partly because we have a long car journey to my parent's house, partly because they'll still have their stockings with me first thing on Christmas morning, and partly because they'll be with their dad on Christmas Day from 10am where they'll get loads more presents.

I'm now thinking of bringing it forward to today. It would keep them all occupied, and it would also mean I could make sure they're loaded with exactly the games and videos they want.

Downside is that it's not traditional, but I actually can't see any other significant issue.

What would you do?

OP posts:
RickOShay · 20/12/2016 08:10

Chacha I am in a similiar position. 9yo dc2 is really poorly. The other two are highly annoying. I cracked yesterday and produced the Jungle Book DVD. I think today it will be Kung Fu Panda 3. Perhaps something else. I would definitely do it. Hope your ds gets better, it's so horrible being poorly over Christmas, quite worried about ds as he seems worse today than yesterday, so hope you are all doing ok, and they enjoy the kindles.

Original poster
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 08:15

Oh, Rick, I hope your DC2 feels better soon.

OP posts:
llangennith · 20/12/2016 08:23

Is there no alternative to devices for occupying children? Couldn't they play real games like in pre-gadgetry dats? Make-believe fun with dolls, Lego, toy cars, soldiers, playmobil, drawing&colouring. And TV is full of kids' programmes and films.
Don't spoil Christmas by giving them their main present before the 25th.

toptoe · 20/12/2016 08:27

I don't see why not...they'll get more use out of them. You could do it in a surprise way like hide them about the house and give them clues as to where to find them. You know your kids best and you know what would be best for them.

RickOShay · 20/12/2016 08:31

Thank you, I hope yours does too. I agree with mortificando, Christmas is, hopefully, more than a present opening frenzy. I tell you what, you give them the kindles and I will crack open the DVD stash and might even throw in ds's really tasteful Vanoss hoodie. Might even scatter a bit of Haribo around.

pictish · 20/12/2016 08:31

"At least one of mine wouldn't have been bothered with a kindle fire anyway and although they would have been pleased with it, it would have held their attention for approx 20 minutes"

"Grescille* can I ask you why you felt the need to say that? What do you get out of pouring cold water on other people's excitement? Do you feel all big and superior now that you've sneered at the OP's gifts to her children?

OP - my two younger (9 and 7) both have Kindle Fires that are well loved and used - they were a fantastic choice for both. I hope your kids enjoy them as much as mine do. x

Original poster
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 08:35

Is there no alternative to devices for occupying children? Couldn't they play real games like in pre-gadgetry dats? Make-believe fun with dolls, Lego, toy cars, soldiers, playmobil, drawing&colouring

Yes, of course there are. And we've done all of that over the past 5 days. We've literally done everything "sensible". They broke up on Thursday, so that was a quiet indoors day because they were all tired, and we baked. It rained on Friday so we made cards. DC1 has been ill since Saturday so we've made tree decorations, crackers and paper chains. We've played board games, and cards, and made all the Lego, and modelled with plasticine and play doh. We haven't made a fort, we could do that for an hour or so.

Whoever said it was one day - it isn't. This is day 6.

We're going to walk into town for haircuts, and then see how we get on.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 20/12/2016 08:36

God, no! Stick the tv on...

RhiWrites · 20/12/2016 08:36

I don't think people are reading the thread.

These kids don't have a house full of toys to play with because their parents have recently split. OP has done all the Xmas crafts she can think of. The presents will be lost in a ride from dad if she waits.

With all the reasons given I think it makes sense to give these presents early.

RhiWrites · 20/12/2016 08:37

*tide not ride

TalesoftwoChristmasses · 20/12/2016 08:41

No make them wait.

RickOShay · 20/12/2016 08:45

Ds is wearing his hoodie Xmas Grin

Bluntness100 · 20/12/2016 08:45

Xmas isn't an "arbitrary day". Arbitrary means random and on personal whim and people alll over the world don't celebrate it any random day they just fancy. It's the 25 th all over the world.

No, the issue is managing your kids, giving them their pressies early isn't the answer. They'll play with them for max a couple of days anyways then you'll be back to square one , so you need to find another solution. I wouldn't even consider this, I'm sorry.

1horatio · 20/12/2016 08:48

blunt

Well, it is a bit random. It's not like anything actually happened on the 25th.

It's just the church institutionalising a holiday for religious political reasons...

Anyhow, I agree with this:

These kids don't have a house full of toys to play with because their parents have recently split. OP has done all the Xmas crafts she can think of. The presents will be lost in a ride from dad if she waits.

With all the reasons given I think it makes sense to give these presents early.

Foldedtshirt · 20/12/2016 08:49

Sounds like a brilliant idea, particularly with the Christmas Eve journey and not taking them with them on Christmas Day.
Flowers hope everyone feels better soon

EZA15 · 20/12/2016 08:49

I think if it works for you - you should do it. At the end of the day, you're their mother and if that's what you want to do - do it! It's not as if they won't have anything to open from you and like you said they'll be getting lots from their dad. Hope your dc get better soon

SixthSenseless · 20/12/2016 08:51

If you do give them early, make an occasion of it, sit round the tree, put on Christmas music and have a mince pie, and then say 'surprise, early Christmas present', so they get the feeling of a Christmas present.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 20/12/2016 08:52

You said you were stuck in and would be stuck in today but now you're 'walking into town for haircuts' ?

Mamia15 · 20/12/2016 08:53

Yes I would.

Esp since they will be getting other big presents on the day.

It won't set a precedent. We've done similar with phones/laptops.

Original poster
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 08:53

In a couple of days DC1 will be better and we'll be at the pantomime.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 08:55

FFS, we're walking 500 yards into town because we've got literally nothing else to do and everyone is saying get them out for fresh air.

OP posts:
Miserylovescompany2 · 20/12/2016 08:56

I start the gift giving as soon as school breaks up. Two of my children are autistic and get very overwhelmed (as do most children)in the run up to Christmas. By doing it this way some of their anxiety is lowered greatly. I am also doing the same for my daughter who isn't on the spectrum.

I would let them choose a gift to open and stop them (and you) from climbing the walls!

DollyPlastic · 20/12/2016 08:59

I wouldn't.

Crumbs1 · 20/12/2016 09:09

I wouldn't but your choice. Might be better to take a them all to the park or for a walk in the woods/by the beach or wherever people walk near you. No reason for you all to be stuck indoors because of a child with a cold.

SilverGiraffe7 · 20/12/2016 09:12

I'd say they were definitely old enough to be given a choice so they really understand:
"You remember how mummy said you were getting one brilliant present from me, not lots? Because you're poorly, I've decided that, if you want to, you can have it now. But only if you understand that on Christmas Day it'll be stockings from Santa (if you're lucky and you've been good!) and from Daddy when you go to his house."
My 4 year old would totally understand that and wouldn't then expect another from me on Christmas Day.

Entirely, utterly up to you OP.

I hope you have some lovely people to spend the rest of Christmas Day with yourself.

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