Is this a mean thing to do on Christmas Day?

[AFewScrewsLucy]

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?

very mean

So the parent creates this situation by lying to their child their whole life about there being a magical being who is able to bring whatever present they want.

The child believes the parent who has told them this and acts according to this belief.

Then the parent punishes the child for behaving in accordance with the belief the parent taught them to have.

In summary, the parent is a spiteful individual who lacks basic intelligence and self-reflection.

Why would you do such a shitty thing?

Weird

Horrible bastard.

Mean.

It will teach him nothing other than not to trust anyone again ever.

Don't do this.

We effectively lie to our children about Santa and then in this case, blame them for not being humble because they have believed that lie.

Depending on how Christmas is done in your house, it is your job as their parent to teach your child about being humble and managing their expectations, if for example Santa only brings smaller presents, or mum and dad buy them and send to Santa, or as my friend does, no electronics...rather than punishing them because they believe in the 'magic' of Santa.

Mean

Tell your friend not to do this under any circumstances!

I wouldn't get a ipad for a 9 yr old personally. Too expensive for someone that young. Get a cheaper Android tablet for them. Say Santa delivered it. Out of your control lol

This. Santa should just be bringing small stocking gifts.

If you do that, I think you are being despicable.

Wowser. I honestly don’t think it’s ideal to have kids asking for such extravagant presents from FC. It’s so hard on kids whose parents can’t afford this stuff and they don’t understand why FC would get their friends an expensive console and not them. I’d get each of them a stocking and have those big presents from you.

Seems a bit complicated to me. Why ruin Christmas?!!

Don't do it. If you got her the iPad let her enjoy opening it. I don't think Christmas morning is the time to be teaching lessons.

Awful , adults create the myth of Santa they can't blame children for believing it. Who would want their child to be sad on Xmas day? A better lesson would be talking about Santa not having lots of pennies and having lots of children to get for. But given she's getting the iPad its really a moot point.

I dont get it a switch can be just as expensive as an ipad with all the add ons. Its just plain cruel

Hide it behind the tree and do the whole “oh no presents left… oh wait was is this?” But do it in the morning not at night!!

How do you you teach somebody to be more humble by hiding a present behind a tree? I don’t understand the point, is it then from you or Santa or what? Either way it’s really mean and childish!

Unkind. Why haven't you just told your child thag Santa doesn't bring big items? My boys knows that Santa only brings small stocking items because he has to get for children all over the world. We get the big presents. Then your child would know the iPad was from you. Your child hasn't done anything wrong by thinking Santa will get them an iPad when you clearly haven't set limitations. Why should your child be taught a lesson? What is that lessson?

Mean. Give him his gift with everyone else in the morning. Why would you want to 'humble' your 9 year old? Imagine his disappointment all day thinking his siblings got their main gifts but santa didn't bring you yours..?

Please don't do this. You're not spoiling him giving him the iPad- just being generous- which he will appreciate eventually. When he no longer believes in Fr Xmas you could say it was a joint present with money from someone else e.g. grandparents ( even if it wasnt) just so a precedence for very expensive gifts isn't set.

That's a horrible thing to do OP!

Wouldn't it be better to have a chat about the kind of presents Santa brings? i.e. smaller, cheaper ones, and that he doesn't bring expensive ones because he has a lot of children to cater for?

Or something along those lines.

I remember when I was nine. I no longer believed but pretended I did and left out a hefty amount of food for the reindeer thinking my parents would have to eat it all.

Horrendous thing go do to a child

Let him believe Santa brought it … years of learning how to be humble x

my
mother did similar with a record I really wanted.. she said ooo what’s that poking under the chair .. and I was so thrilled to get it