To think she could get him 1 or 2 gifts?!

[HJWT]

www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/mum-reveals-banned-christmas-presents-13767860

Hope the link works its the mirror anyway

Basically a mum isn't buying her son 1 christmas OR birthday present EVER because she would rather put the money away for his future, i honestly find this shocking but hey at least he will have money for the therapy he will need....

Very odd! Each to their own, but does seem a bit harsh. At least it sounds like their grandparents will get them some presents.

I first thought I'd read the article and think she's tight...but basically she's giving him cash for Xmas and her mum will get presents. Also is it just me or do you not see is my baby Neils these days?!

A joyless childhood for a future that she could also save towards even with the odd present.

Wahey parent of the year!

Quite odd yes, but these stories are designed to provoke outrage and clicks - the editors know what they’re doing..

Many *

It's just click bait - I hardly think he goes without!

Ds would put himself in an orphanage and hope to be adopted.

@adaline he doesn't go without but she has said she will not be buying him any toys for birthday and christmas, he will get 'educational' items in the year (if he's lucky)

I don't understand why you want an article writing about it though, like she honestly thinks she cAme up with the greatest idea ever....

He is only timy

Its dead easy to say this stuff when they are tiny

It will be much harder to stick to it when he is a bit older

Im sure some people manage but i bet a lot more fall by the wayside

It's crueller that she's called him Neil (and Neil Norman if he's got her surname!)

They wouldve paid her for the story so that would be her incentive.

Also is it just me or do you not see is my baby Neils these days?!

A whole gift in itself 😂

When he gets to school he will realise that his friends will be talking about Christmas and what they will be asking for and he will soon be writing a letter to Santa I think.

I'm on a premature baby Facebook group with this woman. She is so upset by what's been written about her - this was not the conversation she had with the journalist.

She talked about how her baby was born prematurely and spent the last two Christmases in hospital, so presents weren't a priority. She talks about him getting lots of presents from other people so they didn't want to overload him, hence the decision to put money aside for him so they can buy things as needed throughout the year.

She also says that she works full-time, yet has been portrayed as someone who doesn't work (& the usual implications on non-working parents).

Please remember that not everything in the press is as it seems.

Does she think that if she saves - shall we say £1000 a year - it will buy a house? While it is important to save and not spoil kids, who doesn't remember the excitement of a special birthday or Christmas present. That is important too!

Oh no that's really sad @tubspreciousthings. I hope that Neil enjoys his Xmas at home, bless him. I spent dd1's first Xmas with her in the NICU. I didn't get her any presents.

I know @Hulloa - it's horrible that she's upset, especially under the circumstances.

Spending Christmas in hospital is really hard & now things are looking up she's had a barrage of abuse from people after the article was published.

To be fair, she has a point. He's only young as well, so the toys he gets this year will probably be mostly ignored by next Christmas.

DH and I both come from big families and our DC end up with about 20 presents each before we've even bought them anything. I do end up being quite strict about not buying loads for them because I know my parents and the in laws will both go crazy (despite being told not to!).

She must have been really looking forward to having him with the family at Xmas. I hope she's able to make the most of what will be an incredible time without thinking too much about lying journalists chasing sensationalism at the expense of a child who by the sounds of it has had a difficult start in life. Scoring points off a sick child ffs. That's pretty much the definition of low.

They really are @Sarahjconnor - I'm quite upset for her.

Little Neil may well be named after a much loved relative so it's probably kinder not to pass comment. FWIW, I think she's being quite sensible and I wish them all the best.

I think Neil is a great name, he’s very cute and she’s a good mum. She’s thinking of the future rather than buying so many piles of crap he doesn’t need. It makes prefect sense.

It's just a silly publicity stunt she probably won't keep up because it's ridiculous. Yes you're better off saving for the future instead of buying huge mounds of disposable rubbish but a few thoughtful gifts are lovely and won't cost a significant amount of money.

Same as anything else going to extremes is never worthwhile, there's a balance between enjoying the present and planning the future.