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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why are so many parents/children upset today regarding presents?

141 replies

Joinedforthis2021 · 25/12/2021 09:37

Quite a few threads already about parents being upset with the reaction of their children when opening presents.

Im intrigued what the root cause of this is?

Society pressures?

Parents wanting to go the extra mile on trying to make it extra special?

Please just remember it's one day.. Aslobg as we have good health..what does it matter? Please don't stress and try and enjoy the day.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 25/12/2021 09:38

I noticed that...shocked by the lack of gratitude.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 25/12/2021 09:38

My DS never once complained about his gifts.

2reefsin30knots · 25/12/2021 09:39

TBF there's a fair few adults here pissed off with their presents too!

I suppose 'my kids are thrilled' is not post-worthy.

Original poster
Joinedforthis2021 · 25/12/2021 09:40

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

My DS never once complained about his gifts.
That's really nice to hear. 🤗
OP posts:
ChessieFL · 25/12/2021 09:41

My DD seems very happy with hers!

Original poster
Joinedforthis2021 · 25/12/2021 09:42

@2reefsin30knots

TBF there's a fair few adults here pissed off with their presents too!

I suppose 'my kids are thrilled' is not post-worthy.

Does the apple not fall far from the tree then?

As long as I've got a roof over my head, a warm house and love from family then the rest is just fluff IMO.

OP posts:
ImNotWhoYouThinkIam · 25/12/2021 09:42

My DC have been nothing but grateful for their (1 or 2 each) presents. In fact DS 2 hasn't put his down or stopped talking at me about it Grin

AlexaShutUp · 25/12/2021 09:43

My dd (16) hasn't opened hers yet, but she's a happy-go-lucky type and easily pleased. She's also a bloody good actress, so if there is anything she doesn't like, there's no chance I'll ever know about it!Grin

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 25/12/2021 09:44

DD(13) always came across as stroppy and ungrateful at Christmas. We found out this year she has ASD. Now we make it as calm as possible. She can open her presents whenever she likes, no pressure. And comments don't mean how they sometimes come out. It's a stressful day with too much expectation for all.

BakewellGin1 · 25/12/2021 09:44

Everyone is happy with the presents here Grin or if they arnt they have had enough good manners to be thankful regardless.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Florencenotflo · 25/12/2021 09:44

Mine are only 5 & 2, but they've been really happy with what they've had. We did much less this year, and it was perfect. They are playing with them now. Dd2 stopped to play part way through the unwrapping.

NightmareLoon · 25/12/2021 09:44

It's very hard to manage children's expectations though. My child (11) declared herself "over" toys a few months ago, but got very upset when her younger cousins got cuddly toys. We even discussed how she'd been jealous of their toys two years ago and so her "Santa" gift was cool Lego. She has tonnes of cuddly toys, I'm not a mind reader who can guess what will make her upset on Christmas morning. (Also, lack of sleep and two years worth of pent up Christmas emotions.)

Original poster
Joinedforthis2021 · 25/12/2021 09:45

Aww this is refreshing to hear.

Maybe a touch of overexcitement for the kids and tiredness thrown in to boot.

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 25/12/2021 09:45

People won't post about how lovely it all is - they only post if they're pissed off or upset or angry.

sweetbellyhigh · 25/12/2021 09:46

@2reefsin30knots

TBF there's a fair few adults here pissed off with their presents too!

I suppose 'my kids are thrilled' is not post-worthy.

Yes but the poster is venting for support, not being rude to the gift giver. Big difference.
RedRobyn2021 · 25/12/2021 09:46

My DD 10 months liked her gifts but also wanted to play with her old toys and the dogs Christmas gift as well haha

Rainydayss · 25/12/2021 09:47

I think a lot of peer pressure. Video calls with friends comparing presents doesn't help. Group chat on WhatsApp one of DS friends sharing photo of his Alexa then friends commenting they got one ages ago.
Thankfully my DC are very grateful but I can see how quickly children can feel disappointed.

Tittyfilarious81 · 25/12/2021 09:49

I think people put alot of pressure on themselves at Christmas I ask my kids what do you want for Christmas I buy them what they ask for then a couple of little surprises if they aren't happy with them I don't let it bother me ,and me and dh don't buy for each other we haven't for years he buys me things all through the year so I'm never disappointed .

sweetbellyhigh · 25/12/2021 09:49

It must be a kick in the guts though when your child looks disappointed with what you hope they are going to love.

We've finished Christmas Day here in NZ and honestly the happiest moments for me were my children's reactions of sheer delight at what they received. I'd have felt awful if they'd been disappointed.

nearlychristmas21 · 25/12/2021 09:50

Mine are downstairs now. 5 year old playing his new card game with his daddy and 3 year old playing with his super hero toys. Both happy with their presents and giddy with excitement that there's more later at their grandmas.

Original poster
Joinedforthis2021 · 25/12/2021 09:50

@Rainydayss

I think a lot of peer pressure. Video calls with friends comparing presents doesn't help. Group chat on WhatsApp one of DS friends sharing photo of his Alexa then friends commenting they got one ages ago. Thankfully my DC are very grateful but I can see how quickly children can feel disappointed.
Ahh I never considered this.

Oops the wifi isn't working today, Father Christmas must of changed the password.. 😅

OP posts:
Tittyfilarious81 · 25/12/2021 09:52

@Rainydayss

I think a lot of peer pressure. Video calls with friends comparing presents doesn't help. Group chat on WhatsApp one of DS friends sharing photo of his Alexa then friends commenting they got one ages ago. Thankfully my DC are very grateful but I can see how quickly children can feel disappointed.
This is a problem , I sat there last year whilst my dd was on a group call thing where I was shocked at the amount of money some of her friends parents had spent on them but I'm lucky in that my dd was happy with what she got and knows we can't spend that much money on her but I can see it being really upsetting for some kids and parents
Anitarest · 25/12/2021 09:54

Everyone here happy with their presents including the dog, so a bit boring I suppose.
I could say happy except for the legwarmers my DC bought the dog. She dislikes them intensely and is trying to chew them off.

Lockheart · 25/12/2021 09:55

I don't mean to be a misery plopper, but my father is dying in hospital after going in earlier this week. He's not going to come home. We haven't even opened any presents this morning, they just don't matter. I doubt we'll cook Christmas dinner.

I'm sure when you don't have anything miserable going on then presents do seem very important (especially when you're 5!), but frankly I'd swap the lot if it meant my dad would wake up and come home.

DeepaBeesKit · 25/12/2021 09:57

I'll buck the trend! My kids are happy as Larry. The loved the simple stuff in their stockings, youngest is beyond excited at a basic rainbow pop it toy, eldest was especially excited by a cheap inflatable globe!

We got some lovely thoughtful bits from siblings and parents. No one has broken the bank and we all enjoyed doing video calls this morning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MNETTERS!!