Valentines for kids

[Hufflepuffmamma]

I am preparing for High Roasting.

I am fairly new to MN. I can imagine this has come up before ?

Just mentioned to husband I’m going order to order the kids valentines teddies. I get a cheap like pound shop assortment for them each year literally about 3 quid each. Obvs this year will need to grab online.

He’s laughed abandoned thinks it’s the weirdest thing to do. I honestly never considered it to be weird that I get them something cute for the day.

I always feel weird on valentines excusing the kids and them not having anything .. but I feel like I’ve just realised this is ridiculous ..

So

YABU:- Totally weird and first world that you would consider valentines for kids being normal. You need better boundaries.
YANBU:- It’s a bit of fun . Harmless . I get it .

Please .....don’t roast so much it’s awkward enough to realise you might have ridiculous parenting ideas ...

I’ll be shot for this does every thing have to evolve around children when I was a child Valentine’s Day was mentioned but for adults in fact until a teen I’d never heard of it, Catholic boarding school. So surely for once adults can have something just for them?

Oh this reminds me that in an old box my dad was emptying out, he found a Valentine's card I drew him when I was about 6!!

Hallmark saying it's for everyone?
No shit Sherlock.

I think it’s weird that people can’t do what they want without people passing their mean spirited opinions.
You don’t have to do it - but if you want to do it - do!
I live all the eco warriors too - don’t worry no hear shaped chocolates go to waste here!!!

@Holothane

I’ll be shot for this does every thing have to evolve around children when I was a child Valentine’s Day was mentioned but for adults in fact until a teen I’d never heard of it, Catholic boarding school. So surely for once adults can have something just for them?

Exactly. DH and I don't have children or surviving parents, Mothers and Fathers days are irrelevant to us so we make the most of Valentine's Day. But it now feels like everyone else is muscling in on that too!

This isnt weird at all, my mum used to always buy us a little present. It teachers children about love, healthy relationships and expressing your feelings.

@Landlubber2019

Not something I would be wanting to do, as young children they are happy with a cheap teddy but in a few years there will be an expectation and a cheap teddy won't cut it, expect a request for a computer game at £50 or trainers at £100.

Christmas was 6 weeks ago....

Just be careful what you start.....

Not if they know that they always get a small gift for Valentines as opposed to the sort of presents you might get for Xmas or birthdays.

I don’t think it’s weird, schools often have them make Valentines cards etc.

I think it's sweet 🤷‍♀️

It's not that you are buying things for children that I would criticise you for, it is pandering to this ridiculous tradition that has been an example of consumerism at its worst, second only to Halloween.

Please don't tell them what happened to St Valentine in 269 AD.

Haven't read the other messages.

Valentine's Day is a day for love. Whoever you love. At least it is in lots of countries.

The British are so weird about Valentine's Day.

My kids and me made valentines for grandparents in America and posted them today

Think celebrating love is lovely.

Forget the haters!

My ex’s birthday was on valentines and every year we threw a party. One year I invited a friend of a friend and her bf and she txt back ‘not into that sort of thing, have fun’ she genuinely thought I was trying to swing with them, was so cringe/she was so relieved when we saw her next and explained. Maybe I’m nieve but orgy would not have been my first conclusion? I laughed so hard. Felt a little rejected tho 😂😂😂😂

Guess I'm weird too. I get my two children and nieces a token sweetie gift too! No card though.

Interesting! Is this going to become one of those things like Elf on the Shelf? Will card shops invent a Cupid that visits your house and does something annoying every night from the 1st- 13th Feb, leaving your child sobbing on Valentines Eve because Cupid has fucked off back to Greece? Will children wake on Valentines morning to excitedly rip open a mountain of gifts like teddies with hearts, single roses and heart shaped chocolates, before joining their parents in a nice family Valentines dinner of steak and chips, or maybe an M&S meal deal for 5? Should we all decorate our front doors with massive red bows and wreaths with little hearts on them?

Obviously not, but I have enjoyed imagining this alternate universe

It’s always interesting to see how sceptical and judgemental lots of adults become when looking at these types of posts! This is why I think it’s always more fun to make special occasions and holidays about children - they have open hearts and minds. Our whole lives from what we eat for breakfast, how we heat our homes, commenting on mumsnet are consumerist activities that have a detrimental impact on the environment ... Do what makes you happy!

@GreenSlide erm my DC do come down to chocolate hearts and a gift and my daughter gets a rose. They also have a “valentines” breakfast 😂 I know I’m sad but I don’t care! They love it so I shall continue

I see the fun sponges are out in force as usual.

It sounds like a lovely idea OP. It's been a crappy few months for a lot of children. Who on earth would begrudge them a little bit of fun? My DDs will probably hand make a card for DH to show him how much they love him. I'll probably pick them up a chocolate lolly from the supermarket. It's hardly anything to get hystericsl about.

[quote LadyWhistledownthe1st]@GreenSlide erm my DC do come down to chocolate hearts and a gift and my daughter gets a rose. They also have a “valentines” breakfast 😂 I know I’m sad but I don’t care! They love it so I shall continue[/quote]

You're a trend setter! Cupid on the shelf though - you heard it here first

I actually do decorate the window. I like marking days as it makes things less depressing. Valentines gifts here are sweets

@GreenSlide

Interesting! Is this going to become one of those things like Elf on the Shelf? Will card shops invent a Cupid that visits your house and does something annoying every night from the 1st- 13th Feb, leaving your child sobbing on Valentines Eve because Cupid has fucked off back to Greece? Will children wake on Valentines morning to excitedly rip open a mountain of gifts like teddies with hearts, single roses and heart shaped chocolates, before joining their parents in a nice family Valentines dinner of steak and chips, or maybe an M&S meal deal for 5? Should we all decorate our front doors with massive red bows and wreaths with little hearts on them?

Obviously not, but I have enjoyed imagining this alternate universe

that's not such a bad idea actually...

apart from the sobbing child.

Any excuse to have a celebration or a party works for me!

I think.its fun to celebrate in a way that just adds it as a seasonal theme to things you would do anyway. Eg making heart shaped pancakes, having kids draw a nice card to give to a friend = fine.

Buying loads of pointless twee cheap tat..

No.

I always buy my kids valentines. It’s a day of love and I love them so... 🤷🏼‍♀️😆

I just think constantly buying things for kids is how you get entitled adults constantly expecting a fuss made of them on every tiny occasion.

Eg a child give a teddy and card and chocolates etc every year on valentine's growing up turns into the petulant man or woman who expects a lavish unaffordable fuss from their partner every year on valentine's day.

@GreenSlide haha you need to patent that!

Yes I send the granddaughters valentines cards, love knows no boundaries and they are much loved.

We have a tea party, just my child and I. We do it for almost every occasion: Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Eurovision song contests days.... I am single, have been for many many years, and always will be so why should I miss out on a love fest and why shouldn't my child see how fun Valentine's Day is? Nothing weird about it at all.