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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Valentines Day for kids

90 replies

Dumbo18 · 14/02/2023 13:44

Since when has it been a thing to buy for your children on Valentines Day? I dont care what people do with their time or money just more curious as to when getting cards, chocolates etc for your kids became a thing. When i was growing up (20 years ago) it was unheard of but now seems quite normal! I know it comes from a place of love which is nice but i do find it a bit odd to be totally honest!

OP posts:

Bimbleberries · 14/02/2023 19:17

It's a big thing in north america - children always give Valentines cards to everyone in their class in primary school, and there are often post boxes/secret admirer cards/flowers as a school fund raiser in secondary, plus things like discos. It's about friendship as much as romantic love in the primary years, and loads of sets of cards with cartoons on and other pictures and children enjoy choosing different cards for each classmate. Then as they get older, it becomes more romantic love, but families might still give each other cards.

Liorae · 14/02/2023 19:23

SpinningFloppa · 14/02/2023 13:51

Omg yes I hate this, thought it was just me! I’m on a single parents group and they are all buying gifts for their kids for Valentine’s Day, some are making them valentines breakfast sorry but it’s just ridiculous, then some have said they are taking there kids out for a valentines meal today at a restaurant? As if they won’t be awkward surrounded by loads of couples sitting there with your kids. I don’t get involving kids on Valentine’s Day. Maybe a token gift isn’t that bad (but personally it’s still a no from me) but actually taking your kids out for dinner?

There is nothing as romantic as being seated next to a table of someone else's kids for your valentine's dinner.

NewShoes · 14/02/2023 20:01

Clearly in the minority here - have never heard of doing anything with/ for your childrens on Valentine’s Day. I thought it was romantic/ for couples. Then again I’m not on social media, so maybe I’m not seeing what other people see.

CherLloydbyCherLloyd · 14/02/2023 20:17

Liorae · 14/02/2023 19:23

There is nothing as romantic as being seated next to a table of someone else's kids for your valentine's dinner.

Show quote history

Who cares? We took the kids out for dinner tonight. Not because it was valentines night; just because we wanted to eat out.

anomaly23 · 14/02/2023 20:20

My kids get a card and heart shaped lolly every year from me

Noicant · 14/02/2023 20:24

DD does but thats because there she’s little and she was convinced DH had bought her flowers last year so he just grabs her some too so she doesn’t feel left out.

ciaocupcake · 14/02/2023 20:30

My mum used to get me and my sister a single rose every year. I liked it, I got my dd a teddy. For our family it's just a day to remind each other we love each other. The day was based on a Saint which most people forget and it means different things to different people tbh,

Hidingawaytoday · 14/02/2023 20:33

I'm in my mid-30's and used to get chocolate from my parents every year, I'll do the same for dd when she's older. This year, she made us a card at nursery, which we were given with some love hearts. I think it's sweet especially as both DH and I forgot

Purpleberet · 14/02/2023 20:40

There are so many events for everything nowadays and it feels really competitive and show offy (gender reveals, Christmas Eve boxes, pumpkin picking etc)
I’m not interested generally it feels shallow and all for show.

But I can get on board with valentines just being about love whatever your situation. Reserving it for people in romantic relationships is so dated and cheesy and not special at all, I find the traditional meaning of valentines for couples a bit 🙄

Oysterbabe · 14/02/2023 20:44

I've never heard of this either. My children have made cards for me at school though.

AGoldenNarwhal · 14/02/2023 21:24

Valentine's Day is the most cringeworthy event of the year - sharing it with children takes some of the cringe factor out of it. Pre-DC, we'd feel that we should either go out for some hideously overpriced set menu crammed into a restaurant with other awkward couples or stay in, slightly deflated, with a takeaway and sense of FOMO.

For me it has been hugely improved and de-commercialised by having DC. We no longer do the cringeworthy gifts (I've been meaning secretly to "rehome" the giant teddy that my DH bought in a moment of madness for years), the expensive meals out or the lacklustre hotel stays. Instead, we just make hearts. Lots and lots of hearts. Tissue, cards, biscuits, fruit, sandwiches... The list of things you can turn into hearts is endless. And that's the only thing we do and my DC gets so ridiculously excited about it that I find it ridiculously funny.

PleaseJustText · 14/02/2023 22:49

I'm in my thirties and one of three girls. My dad used to buy us flowers and a chocolate bar for Valentine's Day when we were growing up. We weren't well off and they were a cheap supermarket bunch of flowers but they made me feel special. I still look back at it and think it was one of the nicest parts of my childhood.

Stompythedinosaur · 14/02/2023 23:15

I was at school in the 80s and remember being jealous of friends who got a little heart choc or something from their parent's. So I don't think this is as new a thing as you think.

teezletangler · 14/02/2023 23:37

In North America it's always been a big event for children, and is perhaps celebrated a bit more universally by children than adults. You typically exchange valentines with your whole class in primary school- you can buy big batches of "class valentines cards" with all sorts of themes. Even in the early 80s we did it.

Isthatthetimeeh · 14/02/2023 23:51

It depends what love means to you. St Valentine was a priest who ministered to persecuted Christians, so quite removed from the sexual love with which his feast day is associated today.

Use your anniversary to celebrate the fact you have sex with each other. Let Feb 14 be a day for expressing all kinds of love, affection and gratitude.

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