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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:
littlefirtree · 20/12/2016 09:16

I wouldn't but it is a very close call. You only have a couple of days before you are busy with activities. Could any of your family come around to look after the older one while you take the other two out for a bit.

TBH looking after three kids on your own when one is ill is awful. If you are completely losing your mind I would just give them the kindles!

MooseAndSquirrel · 20/12/2016 09:17

I would in your shoes, they wont have long to play on the kindles Xmas day anyways - id probably tell them Santa heard how poorly they've been and asked if you'd like him to send an elf with their main presents off you today as a special treat (I do Santa, but he's a delivery man for the presents I buy)
DD1 gets her dads presents before Xmas as he doesn't see her Xmas day -
Its not a biggy, they still get presents Xmas day and have all the excitement else where.
enjoy a screen filled day with happy kids op- its only a few days so they'll still remember its an Xmas present Xmas Grin

Grescille · 20/12/2016 09:18

"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?*

For goodness sake calm down. It's worth pointing out that if the children are bored and annoying then a kindle fire might not be the answer for longer than an hour or so. So therefore not worth doing.

cherrycrumblecustard · 20/12/2016 09:20

Kindle fires are a GREAT present.

Flowers
clippityclop · 20/12/2016 09:21

I wouldn't. What do you do when they're feeling poorly and it's not Christmas? Set up a bit of simple, cheap craft as suggested above and let them get on with it. It's good for them to learn how to amuse themselves.

Grescille · 20/12/2016 09:22

I'm sure they will be appreciated hugely by your dcs. I have three also and when one of mine was 5 she wasn't interested in gadgety tablets at all. So it wouldn't have worked for me.

UnicornInDMboots · 20/12/2016 09:23

If it will make everyone happier do it! :)

cherrycrumblecustard · 20/12/2016 09:26

I agree it's great for children to amuse themselves and I am neutral on this one. I think what I'd be tempted to do is to maybe compromise - tell them there's a fabulous surprise after supper or something.

But some children aren't crafty. My eldest never was - the other two are, a bit. It makes a TIP and it sounds like space might be an issue.

Reading is great hence the kindle.

I got one for mine two years ago, when he was seven (nearly eight) and it's been brilliant. I "upgraded" it last Christmas after it broke as well.

shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 20/12/2016 09:26

Yes I would in your circumstances

I have let DS have his main present early on two occasions and haven't regretted it

Clankboing · 20/12/2016 09:29

What a sensible idea. No use tying yourself up in knots to do the expected thing. The present will be appreciated more now and probably after too.

Artandco · 20/12/2016 09:30

BUt how will using the kindle to watch films entertain them any more than just putting a film on the tv? If you aren't using them for reading it's basically just an expensive tiny tv

pictish · 20/12/2016 09:36

It's a tablet. It does everything a tablet does. Tv, reading, gaming and everything else besides. It's not basically a tiny tv. It's a tiny computer.

SixthSenseless · 20/12/2016 09:37

Gresille: some people would have started that post 'sorry, didn't mean to sound sneery, I just meant....'. Rather than being rude.
Tone.
The Mumsnet philosophy, recognising that parenting can be hard, especially in a germ-ridden overladen countdown to Christmas.

Artandco · 20/12/2016 09:38

Pic - and how helpful is a tiny computer for children who can't yet read?

Original poster
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 09:40

There are games and they can watch different things.

No, I don't have any family. And I wouldn't ask friends because they all have children and I wouldn't want to risk their DCs getting ill for Christmas.

If it wasn't Christmas then two of the three would be at school. And if it were the holidays there would be a decent chance that at least one of the days was warm/dry enough to play in the garden. Winter illnesses are the hardest.

No, I'm on my own from Christmas Day, until Monday 2nd.

OP posts:
BalloonSlayer · 20/12/2016 09:47

Hmm I wouldn't because I can imagine in a few years' time it would be "remember that Christmas when Daddy got us x,y and z and you got us NOTHING."

You "err I got you your Kindle fires!"

"That was for before Christmas. For Christmas you gave us NOTHING"

"No they were Christmas presents. I gave them you early because you were ill . . ."

Repeat x 1000, always with refrain:

"But on Christmas day we had NOTHING from you. It was RUBBISH"

etc

cherrycrumblecustard · 20/12/2016 09:51

I VERY much doubt it, Balloon Hmm

I often didn't get my main present on Christmas Day because of logistics and I never accused my parents of getting me nothing! Shock

Art, sometimes, in our house, people want to watch different things!

Fairenuff · 20/12/2016 09:52

I would give them the presents OP.

Under the circumstances you have described I think you can create a new tradition in your family where they get an early present from you just before Christmas day and stockings from Santa and present from dad later on.

Let them enjoy their time now.

QueenofTinyThings · 20/12/2016 09:54

I dont see why not - as long as you explain that will be one less pressie on the day. They are young enough to be wowed and excited by the whole 'has Santa been' experience on the day and mine at that age were as excited by little bits of plastic tat as they were with the expensive stuff and certainly wouldnt have noticed one less present. As they will be doing two sets of pressies why not spread them out a bit?
Several families I know who are separated do pressies and celebrations on a different day if they are not going to be with their children on 25th.

pklme · 20/12/2016 09:55

I would do it! You sound like you talk with your DCs and will be able to remind them about having their present early because they needed it.

Randonneur · 20/12/2016 10:06

I wouldn't unless you are happy with setting a precedent for future years! X

Isadora2007 · 20/12/2016 10:07

Do it!
You've thought about it and it isn't just an impulse thing. It actually means you get to see them enjoy them and they get time to set them up as they like before their journeys.

It makes complete sense.

I hope it gives them some fun and you some peace to have a cuppa. 🎅🏻

SpringerS · 20/12/2016 10:14

So from early on Christmas morning they are going to their dad's for over a week? Then I think you would be entirely reasonable to declare tomorrow mum's mini-Christmas. Talk to the kids, offer it as an option that tomorrow they can have a special Christmas day with you. They can get their big gift from you after a special breakfast. They can then spend time playing and in the afternoon/evening have a favourite dinner with crackers and a nice dessert.

That way they get the excitement of anticipation today which will get rid of the boredom. And you all get a special Christmas-sy day which will last all day long tomorrow.

ghostspirit · 20/12/2016 10:15

I would not. Because they are for xmas not for being poorly. And then would they think when they are ill they get gifts? I also think the waiting for xmas day is part of the excitement. What would they normally do when not well. What if you did not have anything special to give them when I'll. That's me though. But it's really up to you op. Smile

Rachel0Greep · 20/12/2016 10:19

That sounds tough for you that they are gone from you for a week. Flowers

In your shoes, I would be very tempted to have a mini Christmas, beforehand, tbh.

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