Christmas
Is this a mean thing to do on Christmas Day?
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?
ginexplorer · 12/12/2022 16:38
Classic situation of an adult trying to ‘teach’ a child something through the eyes of an adult ( and even that is hard to fathom) instead of teaching it through the eyes of a child.
I imagine the adult is well intentioned but has no empathy or good parenting skill.
They need to understand that children WILL ask for stuff like this - it’s natural but don’t necessarily understand the value of money at this age. That’s something they learn over time.
That if the child DOES believe in Santa then they don’t need that lesson from Santa. It comes from the parents who should own it. Santa is not the parent. The parents need to find a better way.
If they really can’t afford it then say so, be honest and don’t buy it.
All they are doing is lying about not being able to afford something. So in future when the child does find out he isn’t real and know it’s always the parents - will expect them to do this again when they say I can’t afford it.
There are much better ways to teach a child to be humble. Sad
Moira1951 · 12/12/2022 17:36
BLOODY NASTY, ROTTEN, MISERABLE thing to do to a kid at Christmas. what sort of person are you? To have one child watch his siblings get what they had asked for, and ruin a Christmas this kid will never forget, and as an adult will look back, especially when they have kids of their own, and think what a nasty parent you were!!!
54isanopendoor · 12/12/2022 18:18
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 19:15
That’s really mean. Of course they believe Santa will get it - they’ve been taught Santa exists and is magic! They don’t need to be more humble - they just have a firm belief in the magic of Christmas you’ve brought them up with.
I think it’s quite cruel frankly. Especially giving the sibling their Santa present early on. It’s like you’re punishing the child for believing in Santa.
It's completely illogical!
If you have brought a child up to believe in Santa AND that Santa provides the Big Gift AND there is all this nonsense about 'being good for Santa' then it is
A Cruel to delay the Big Gift for most of the day whilst siblings play with theirs
B All it will 'teach' them is that they are 'bad' / not to trust 'Santa' / adults
Terrible idea!
Harmonypus · 12/12/2022 18:27
Give the gift in the morning but make it absolutely plain that it's you that bought it agma that you've probably had to go without something else in order to be able to afford it. I don't believe in lying to kids regardless of how young they are, Santa DOESN'T exist and the earlier they learn this the easier your life will be!
Ishbel28 · 12/12/2022 19:51
It’s a well known fact Santa only delivers presents that fit into stockings. How do you expect huge presents to fit in the sleigh? Think of the extra work for elves, the shattered reindeer and Santa’s poor old back. And do you think Santa is made of money??? Parents need to buy the big stuff themselves.
And apparently Santa is seriously considering skipping the homes of naughty users who swear on Mumsnet.
ReneBumsWombats · 12/12/2022 19:54
Ishbel28 · 12/12/2022 19:51
It’s a well known fact Santa only delivers presents that fit into stockings. How do you expect huge presents to fit in the sleigh? Think of the extra work for elves, the shattered reindeer and Santa’s poor old back. And do you think Santa is made of money??? Parents need to buy the big stuff themselves.
And apparently Santa is seriously considering skipping the homes of naughty users who swear on Mumsnet.
Well fuck him then.
Kickarsequeen · 12/12/2022 20:51
You are the one that has made him believe this is true. He trusts you.
Now you are going to break his belief and his trust in you in one go.
What for?
If you could afford it anyway why did you lie?
You need to think really hard about the type of person you want to be and the relationship you are going to have with your children as they grow up.
It case you are in any doubt, no, you should definitely not do this.
You are seriously misguided in how to bring up children.
NoNameNowAgain · 12/12/2022 21:06
ReneBumsWombats · 12/12/2022 19:54
Well fuck him then.
Ishbel28 · 12/12/2022 19:51
It’s a well known fact Santa only delivers presents that fit into stockings. How do you expect huge presents to fit in the sleigh? Think of the extra work for elves, the shattered reindeer and Santa’s poor old back. And do you think Santa is made of money??? Parents need to buy the big stuff themselves.
And apparently Santa is seriously considering skipping the homes of naughty users who swear on Mumsnet.
Haha!
WildRose42 · 12/12/2022 21:15
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?
Mean! I think this wouldn’t be a very nice start to your child’s day at all! Christmas is magical for children, don’t take that away from them, as this could very well be the last one where your little lad believes in it all.
EastCoastDamsel · 12/12/2022 21:58
Kickarsequeen · 12/12/2022 20:51
You are the one that has made him believe this is true. He trusts you.
Now you are going to break his belief and his trust in you in one go.
What for?
If you could afford it anyway why did you lie?
You need to think really hard about the type of person you want to be and the relationship you are going to have with your children as they grow up.
It case you are in any doubt, no, you should definitely not do this.
You are seriously misguided in how to bring up children.
This
jocktamsonsbairn · 12/12/2022 22:02
This has just popped up on FB on The mirror online!! My sil commented so it came up on my feed and I recognised the story!!!
www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/mums-plan-teach-child-lesson-28707824
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