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Original poster

Is this a mean thing to do on Christmas Day?

772 replies

AFewScrewsLucy · 10/12/2022 19:09

Imagine you are the parent here.

You have a 9 yo, who turned 9 in early October.
They still believe in father Christmas (yes, really)
They have asked for an iPad.
You've told 9yo you can't afford it, so can't have it.
9yo says "it's OK, Santa will get it for me" and then proceeds to tell everyone they know since November that they're getting an iPad for Christmas.
You are actually buying the iPad for them.
But, you have decided that to teach them to be more humble, you're going to pretend that Santa hasn't brought the iPAD when you all open presents in the morning. And you're going to "find" the iPad at the back of the tree at some point in the evening,.and give it to them then.

Full context, you also have a just turned 6yo and 7yo who will be receiving their Santa present in the morning. (Barbie Dream House and Switch)

What do you think? Mean? Or fine?

OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 10/12/2022 20:45

Haven't RTFT but why did the friend tell her child she couldn't afford the iPad, when she could?

Overall, if friend is this much of an idiot, it's a shame she had any kids.

SeveruslyFrazzled · 10/12/2022 20:46

I think that’s horrific

PraiseTheSunshine · 10/12/2022 20:47

I think that's mean and not really the right time to be teaching those kind of lessons.

Smellsofbeef · 10/12/2022 20:47

Not just mean, a different level of nasty and downright cruel. Can’t believe anyone would do this to a child, let alone their own child.

Wetblanket78 · 10/12/2022 20:47

This is why in our house Santa only brings what's in they're stocking and a small gift like a jigsaw. Sorry but you just have kids expecting they will get it because Santa has a bottomless supply of money for gifts. Only yourself to blame.

Chipsnmushypeas · 10/12/2022 20:48

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

WishIhadacrystalball · 10/12/2022 20:49

Too long which makes it mean. A slight pause after presents then oh could you go get the…. And it’s sitting there but not later on in the day/night. I’d be making the most of them still believing, probably won’t last another year.

Eckelbloodyfecken · 10/12/2022 20:49

Despicable

Lifeisapeach · 10/12/2022 20:50

Totally mean!

a switch is just as expensive! If you’re not happy getting it for them. Then don’t give it at all! Why ruin one of the last Christmas mornings of believing!

If it helps any. In my household the parents fund santa. Saves any awkward questions about how some kids get and some kids don’t !!

Privatestate1 · 10/12/2022 20:51

I don’t get what point you are trying to make doing this? Why give it to them later? Are you going to pretend the IPAD is from Santa? Or not? I’m confused 😐

Els1e · 10/12/2022 20:51

Mean! And spiteful! Please give your opinion for sake of the child.

user1471556818 · 10/12/2022 20:51

Nasty

Privatestate1 · 10/12/2022 20:52

I don’t get what point you are trying to make doing this? Why give it to them later? Are you going to pretend the IPAD is from Santa? Or not? I’m confused 😐

pompomdaisy · 10/12/2022 20:52

You should have structured your Santa story better. Instead you were laissez fairre and adopted an anything goes approach when it came to presents from Santa. Now instead of owning up to that you decide you are going to pull one of the meanest stunts on your child I've ever heard. You won't be winning any parent prizes this year!

Okaaaay · 10/12/2022 20:52

Mean. Just needs a conversation about expectations and about Santa deciding what’s right (not just based on what child demands)

ladygindiva · 10/12/2022 20:53

Mean .

dcut · 10/12/2022 20:53

Read the OP’s posts, she is not the parent!

The OP said she wasn't the parent once she started getting flamed for the scenario described in the OP.
If the OP is in fact not the parent, that information should have been in the OP.
Yes, people should click on "see all" to read all of the OP's posts if they don't want/can't be arsed/don't have time to RTFT but not everyone knows to do that.
Really annoying to reply to an OP and then find out later they were talking about a "friend" or it's a reverse or there is some massive dripfeed later.
And even more annoying when you have a situation like this one where you get people popping up every 5 minutes saying "RTFT OP is not the parent", admonishing posters who have replied in good faith.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyearisntit · 10/12/2022 20:55

So mean, just why? No lessons need to be taught, just a child, how sad

Zanatdy · 10/12/2022 20:55

Why? Either buy the iPad or don’t, why do you want to play mind games with a 9yr old?

PrincePrecious · 10/12/2022 20:56

Nasty.

warofthemonstertrucks · 10/12/2022 20:57

Awful

Kassalah · 10/12/2022 20:58

Another vote for Mean.

magicscares · 10/12/2022 20:58

Mean.

Loachworks · 10/12/2022 21:01

It's nasty. I also can't understand why she said she couldn't afford it when she clearly could because she has. Does she get off on mentally torturing an innocent child? I hate it when children are involved in situations they cannot change. That child will never forget it if your 'friend' does this.

realmsofglory · 10/12/2022 21:02

But what when he does not believe and realises you played this trick on him ?
What when he has young excited children of his own and looks back at how you could be so cruel to spoil a child's christmas day?

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