To expect a seven-year-old not to tell me he hates the birthday present I bought for him?

[LyraBelacqua]

DSs went to a birthday party today and as soon as we got in the door the birthday boy (7) pounced on us and demanded his present. Then when he looked into the gift bag DS1 was carrying and saw it was a book he told us we could take it home because he hated it. it was a fun book which I spent ages choosing yesterday and I thought he'd love it.
Am I expecting too much of a seven-year-old or should he have more manners by now not to be so rude? My DSs are 5 and 3 so my experience of seven-year-olds is limited.

My DS (5) has been a tiny bit unenthusiastic about some gifts in the past, but he would never tell the giver that he hated something. Seven is certainly old enough to understand the concept of gratitude and politeness. I think I would have taken it home with me.

spidermama - that's the first think i thought of, when Bernard throws the crayons into the air in Alfie lends a hand! My dds love that bit, they gasp with horror and say 'that is so naughty!' And they are 5 and 2 - i'm sure they know it's rude - but as shirley hughes put included such a scenario in her book, they're also impulsive and easily over excited.

Is he called Henry, by any chance? With a perfect brother called Peter?
Perhaps he really wanted a Super Soaker 2000 water blaster .

This is the book.

Completely awful behaviour = spolit brat?

Looks like a fun book, but perhaps a bit young for a 7 year old? (My 5 year old would like it though!)

I've always taught my DCs to be grateful for anything they get, even if they don't like it. As a safety net, have never allowed them to open presents infront of their guests. Hope, but can't be 100% certain , they wouldn't respond like this but if they did, I'd take ALL their birthday presents away from them to teach them a lesson. Even well brought up kids have their off days, so don't judge the kid too harshly first time round.

I spoke to his mother this morning and she said he loves it. Maybe once he'd actually examined it he discovered that getting books isn't so horrific after all.

How did your child react tho.... I know that when i was a child I would be devasted if any of my friends had said they didnt like what i got them.

DS was a bit but luckily didn't seem to take it too personall.

I just had to add,I bought this book for a party yesterday for a seven year old and when ds saw it he wanted one as well! He's also 7 and has been looking at that book since he got it.

It's a bit much for me all those innards an' that,but he loves it

Thanks Flicky. I had been worried that it might be too young for him but then it says it's suitable for key stage one and two children.