Going all out for your kids on valentines day

[Supergirl1958]

Seriously when did that become a thing! Tonight I’ve been told it’s ’on me’ that I feel guilty because it’s splashed all over my social media feeds about the efforts parents have gone to, balloons, presents, cakes, breakfasts for their children on Valentine’s Day?

Like AIU to think it shouldn’t be another thing to pressure parents into feeling guilty? Like the elf and so on!!

Someone mentioned this earlier up the thread and I love it! I’m a teacher and if parents spent half their time focussing on fostering a love of books as they do on creating the posts for likes from their followers, the world would be a better place.

It's not a thing my family does, but then I find the way some families do birthdays, Christmas and Easter wildly over the top as well.

But I don't share your resentment or whatnot about others going all out if they want to. It's not your fault you feel guilty but it is your own feeling to process and deal with yourself. It's not anyone else's job to parent their own children in a way that makes us feel good about how we parent ours.

You can think what you like!

I’d like to think most people just like to have abit of fun. I did get the baby some buttons and she gave out cards to her daddy and grandad. I certainly didn’t put anything on social media and it just brightened the day abit. It definitely isn’t needed but I don’t see why it bothers others what people do with their kids.

sorry, I am born today so the whole family will get some cake or flowers or cards etc

So what are you doing about that, exactly?

Not even sure if my kids actually knew it was Valentine’s Day today. DD1(11yo) certainly didn’t mention it. DH and I did nothing to acknowledge the day with each other either.

I’m of the opinion that everyone does what makes them happy and I don’t feel guilty for not subscribing to it all. I do a Christmas Eve box and Christmas pjs but definitely no elf on the shelf or Valentine’s Day breakfast. I don’t judge those or compare myself to those who do it differently. Life’s too short for that and I don’t have the energy!

John McEnroe is a poster on mumsnet! 😂

YNBU.
It's ridiculous.
It's all for likes and approval
Kids will constantly expect OTT celebrations of commercialised shit.
It's like an episode of black mirror.
"Please like my picture of a pink gift bag filled with junk and shit I've wasted my money on or my life won't be fulfilled"

Lots! It’s kind of my job! 🤷‍♀️

@Supergirl1958

I'm a teacher too 😂

There’s lots of things in shops - Aldi had lots all reasonable price, heart shaped crumpets, waffles, nuggets, pizza etc.
It’s dreary in February and a bit of fun doesn’t hurt. I wouldn’t do gifts but a heart crumpet for breakfast a nice little treat.

Never done Valentines for my DS
Also never done

• elf on the shelf
• matching family pyjamas
• post if you love your DS/mum/dad
• 10 year challenge
• 5 photos on your own saying why you love yourself

Etc etc etc - all attention seeking SM bollocks

Black mirror is legitimately what came to my mind. Particularly the episode with Ron Howard’s daughter I believe? The one where she does everything in her life and her social status is all for social media likes.

I'm with you OP. It is madness.

I mean, crack on if you want to do it but it's not for me. It is annoying though because there can be real pressure to get on board with this shite especially for parents who don't have the confidence to say it's a load of shite. Lots of pressure from kids too, to be having and doing the same as their peers. It's capitalism gone mad, enough is never enough any more!

I don’t mind a bit of fun, I’m not a killjoy :)

You are extremely chippy and defensive. It's clearly 'on you' because you're the only one who is making yourself feel guilty and inadequate for not doing it. Your social media friends aren't thinking about what you are or aren't doing for your children today. Nobody is apart from you.

Should be the other way round!

FFS. I just don't understand how any sane adult gives a shit about social media. It is irrelevant and mindless. If you walk away you will be much more happy.

Yabu
I didn’t do anything for my kids for Valentine’s Day and neither did anyone I know

As far as I know St Valentine's Day is a romantic holiday... can't imagine small children even know what romance is... or is this another occasion that has been hijacked?

It's not for likes and approval. I don't use social media. I don't really count MN as it's anonymous.

Anyway, I got my DD (sixth form) some valentines PJs and earrings. I don't consider any of it wasteful as she'll wear the stuff all year round.

I did it because I appreciate that she is from a different era to me. In my day, no parent would have got any valentine's stuff for their kid. But these days, it's different. I don't mind buying her stuff that she'll wear. It's not wasteful as she would wear PJs and earrings anyway.

And you are extremely judgemental and chastising.
I find it hard to believe that you know exactly what everyone in the country is thinking and feeling. What a superpower you have!

What??? How did I not know this? That's far better than Valentines Day!

I agree that all the kids Valentine’s Day stuff is ridiculous. I don’t do it. But if people want to then that’s totally up to them. My kids asked where their valentine stuff is and they were told we don’t have to do it. I go all out for them at Easter, birthdays, Halloween and Christmas. I do not need another day to spend money on shite they don’t need.
how I feel about it is on me. So your friends right in the respect that you feeling guilty is on you. If you feel that bad then do something next year for them. Or surprise the kids tomoro as a late valentine. If you don’t want to do that then don’t. But don’t moan because other people do and are putting it on social media. If social media’s bothers you that much, delete it. A really peculiar thing to be so bothered about. Live and let live. If you don’t want to see it, scroll on, block or delete.