Don’t want DD 2.5 to scratch a scratch card.

[cuerti]

BIL compulsive gambler (and drinker and all-round arsehole but it’s the gambling that’s annoyed me most today). We’ve managed to disinvite him from Christmas but have had him round this afternoon. He said he didn’t know what to buy DD but has bought her £10 worth of scratch cards to “have fun with”. I haven’t bought a scratch card for years and years and would never give one to a child. DD think it’s loads of fun. Who IBU?

She's 2.5 YABU. No concept of money or the reasons behind buying a scratchcard. Just let her scratch it. Worst case scenario is that you win something and put it away for her. It's your BIL with the gambling issue, she is too young to learn the behaviour

How very odd. It’s almost like the fun is for him, not your child, who doesn’t understand the concept.

I wouldn't let a 2 year old have a scratch card. I'd say something to him to be honest.

He was BU - it was a thoughtless gift for a 2.5 year old, but I also don’t think it’s going to do her any great harm - it’s not like she’s going to get addicted and start buying them with her pocket money! Although potentially embarrassing for you if she starts telling people she does scratch cards. Maybe just do them with her and if she wins she can spend the money on something more wholesome.

At 2 it's probably OK because she'd be clueless.
But not at 6 or 8 or 10.
Tell your BIL OK this time but never again?

What Loftyswops said.

You're annoyed with him for many reasons and the scratch cards have tipped it, by the sounds of it. If he weren't addicted to everything, you'd probably have thought it was an odd present but not been so angry.

It's unlikely to do a 2 year old any harm. But if you don't want to give them to her, don't.