To think no one does this - Christmas toys related

[EvilsElsasPetSnowman]

So MIL once did a judgy shock-face at me when, after asking if I take all the toys out the boxes and test them before Christmas Day, before wrapping them, i said “No of course not!”. She said “Oh I did with all of my kids’ toys! I made sure they had batteries in and that they worked because there’s nothing sadder than if a child can’t enjoy their present on Christmas Day”.

I pointed out that as a SAHM she probably had more time to do stuff like that than I do, and that if a toy doesn’t work I’ll replace it at the earliest opportunity, and the kids will have to live with the disappointment and that it won’t kill them, that’s life.

Anyway she went on to say that not only did she un box and then re box the toys, she would also read Lego instructions so she knew how to build the sets, and get this - if they were getting a computer game she’d set up their consoles and play the game so that if they needed help on a level she’d know what to do to help

She just kept (rather smugly) saying “I always made sure I was prepared when it came to Christmas and that my kids knew I was always there for them if they needed my help with something”. I REALLY felt like saying “Funny how you weren’t there for them when you left their dad and moved in with your new fella and his kids for a year, completely ignoring their existence and not even turning up to parents evening or their sports matches, emotionally scarring all 4 of them, but the real failure as a mother is me as I don’t play Animal Crossing before my son gets to”. But I didn’t.

I think this is totally bonkers? Does anyone actually do this?

Also how in the actual fuck would you ever get toys back in the box?! I asked this and she says “it’s easy they just go in the same as they came out”. She clearly hasn’t met vacuumed toy packaging of the 2020’s some of which needs a hacksaw to even open

YABU = Yep I do this you slovenly woman
YANBU = that’s bat shit crazy and no one does it.

She sounds pretty manic- make sure there are batteries and leave it at that- it sounds as if she wants to play the "I was a better mother than you are" game, which is usually played because of guilt- don't engage.

I am kind of with AgathaLioness here. She is explaining to you in particular that it many respects, she was a good mum, who tried hard. Absent dads do not get this kind of grief. She must have been very unhappy to leave her kids, albeit temporarily.

It's not. The big sets like castle or pirate ship are great for 3 yo to play with but my dyspraxic child could not do it. It took me two hours just by myself and there were a couple of bits that once you snapped them in place that was it, so if you got it wrong you were fucked. I nearly sodded up the drawbridge which is the best bit. As I said, my DD is a different story and loved doing it herself, but you do what makes for a happy Christmas for your kids in your house. So much unnecessary judgement on here.

I know someone who builds their kids lego sets for them!

I think it’s reasonable to buy the required batteries and ensure compatibly of games.

My son (age 5) loves unboxing his presents and most that need batteries are testable in box with already installed ones. Most toys are still good to play with without batteries and knowing you can replace one without an electronic function in a few days to make it better can add excitement.

I am sure if the radio controlled monster truck doesn’t work there will be tears but knowing it can be fixed/ replaced and Stil played with by hand means it will still be enjoyable on the day.

Setting up toys and gifts is part of the fun and also builds resilience against disappointment. Providing instantly ready gifts provides I stand gratification and can lead to children being unable to master the life skill of setting up new thi gs and learning how to use them. This could backfire when they are adults and need a new washing machine or similar…
That being said if you but if you buy year round then it may be a good idea to test the toys in case you can’t send them back.

a very memorable christmas was the gameboy game being empty! i should have done better.
it didnt teach me any lessons though except i try to buy batteries

Exactly! They would probably be on the
Stately Homes thread!

I am not talking about 5 minutes for out of the package situations but a situation where assembly took 3 adults 5 hours to put it together!

I check how many batteries are needed and tape them to the inside of the box lid. That's it?

This thread is pretty judgy.

We've all made mistakes parenting, while simultaneously knocking it out of the park.

The only thing I ever pre-built was one of those play tables for a brio style train set. It took me a couple of hours on Christmas Eve after the children were in bed. The train set itself was wrapped in the box though, as the child it was for always had very fixed ideas on the acceptable shape of his train loops.

I’m another one who liked to have a massive stash of batteries procured. Christmas morning essentials down the side of the sofa was a small box containing scissors, screwdriver, and all the batteries.

Really?
Why would anyone do that, surely not?
Do they build their kids jigsaws too?

They are missing the point of Lego or they are buying stuff that is far to complicated for the child.

The child (well shes a teen now and enjoys building her own!) Was just extremely impatient and wanted to play with the set when built. It was a very strange situation.

It depends on the toys. When one got their first tablet I made sure it was charged and ready with games and apps set up to use straight away.

I noticed you ask about a switch. When mine progressed much later to Nintendo switches I made sure their accounts were set up, they were charged and that they could just play with them. They do require software updates and sometimes the games themselves need ann update so worth checking those. They need an online account to be able to play some games so worth looking into those and paying and setting those up. Other toys that required less set up were left to the day.

I’ve had to also remind family who buy toys requiring batteries to buy the batteries as that’s always a big help.

What were you buying them that took 15 man hours to build???