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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:
LazyDaisy22 · 10/12/2022 22:11

Mean. You are spoiling Christmas

Brokendaughter · 10/12/2022 22:11

Sorry, but that is cruel & very petty.

If they are getting it, let them get it along with the rest of their presents.

Why would you want them to spend the day being heartbroken seeing their younger siblings get a big present while they believe they didn't?

Will you have a go at them if they can't hide their disappointment too, when it's just you tormenting them?

The big presents shouldn't be from Santa anyway, or what happens when you really can't afford what they ask for & they think Santa will bring them that £2k present?

Scoobyblue · 10/12/2022 22:12

So mean

Calphurnia88 · 10/12/2022 22:16

Really really terrible idea.

xprincessxjanetx · 10/12/2022 22:18

Fucked up tbh.

FeltCarrot · 10/12/2022 22:18

I was desperate for a recorder when I was 6/7. I unwrapped a present to see a recorder box but when I opened it, it was empty. I was distraught. My dad had hidden it behind a chair. 50 years later I still remember that, and my dad was lovely!

Whoopsmahoot · 10/12/2022 22:19

Cruel

Dukekaboom · 10/12/2022 22:19

Mean. Cruel. And slightly sadistic in my opinion.

Dukekaboom · 10/12/2022 22:21

Wish we could somehow anonymous send your friend this link to make them see what a horrible idea it is.

Franticbutterfly · 10/12/2022 22:24

I don't get it. Just give the kid the iPad and don't say who it comes from. They likely won't care anyway.

Bunnycat101 · 10/12/2022 22:29

My parents did something similar to me. I wanted a game boy. They actually got me a gameboy but hid it somewhere and put a bubble bath game boy in my sack. I remember being absolutely gutted. There were probably tears because I’d been so excited and the realisation I had this shitty bubble bath instead. You’ve actually brought the tablet. Just give it to them and don’t play games for your own self satisfaction.

twinklestarin · 10/12/2022 22:31

dont understand how this teaches her anything . Clearly shes gotten used to 'santa' bringing her whatever she wants because you've allowed it to happen . This is your fault not hers

tara66 · 10/12/2022 22:33

Why upset and be cruel to your hopeful, optimistic INNOCENT child - do you think life won't do this to him at some stage - that you need to do it now?

Itsabitnotcold · 10/12/2022 22:36

Nope. Been there. It's fucking vile to mess with kids emotions. Especially when it's a time that's meant to be happy.
It's shit like this that's me unable to trust anyone or anything anyone says.

Namechangethisonetime · 10/12/2022 22:39

Awful and it will absolutely ruin the day.

No one ever learnt to be good natured by being shit upon

Jewel7 · 10/12/2022 22:44

You can’t give the other children their main presents and not for the eldest. Imagine how that child will feel. Messing with emotions. Sounds like narcissistic parenting. Nine year olds don’t need lessons and are allowed to believe plenty do!

Sirius3030 · 10/12/2022 22:53

What was that poem...?

"They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn
By fools in old-style hats and coats,
Who half the time were soppy-stern
And half at one another’s throats.

Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don’t have any kids yourself."

Well done you.

lanthanum · 10/12/2022 23:04

I don't see how this teaches them anything. They'll be upset, yes, but if you still produce the ipad as a gift from Santa that got missed, they still think Santa will always bring what they want.

Whereisthelove2 · 10/12/2022 23:05

I feel so sad for this child and how it’s going to make them feel. They will never forget that. Such a horrible thing to do

Mariposista · 10/12/2022 23:11

giving a 9 year old an iPad is just plain ridiculous. the rest is childish

ArseMenagerie · 10/12/2022 23:13

It’s. Not. About. You.

Octopusmittens · 10/12/2022 23:24

What an absolutely sh*t idea. Crap and cruel parenting, give your self important head a wobble.

RosesAndHellebores · 10/12/2022 23:26

Why have you told her you can't afford it when you can?

Why play mind games with a child?

Why does your dd need to learn to be humble?

Why do you want to ruin Christmas for a little girl?

Are you a narcissist and your eldest dd is the one you bring down? That is the only explanation I can think of for behaving as you are planning. But then a narcissist wouldn't think twice.

whynotwhatknot · 10/12/2022 23:26

how cruel-parents start this lying shit about santa then use it to teach them a lesson

thats fucked up

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/12/2022 23:28

This is why IMO it’s much better to have relatively little things only from Santa.

But if you’ve actually got the thing for him, what’s the point in keeping it back?