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Original poster

Grandparent sent one chocolate advent calender for 2 children

115 replies

bacon · 02/12/2013 19:12

How do you explain how this works to a 4yr old and 8yr old especially as my MIL sent one each.

OH shakes his head in despair.

This isnt unusual as on her regular travels she buys a fridge magnet between them (not always - may get the free chocolates off the bed).

She does no baby sitting or takes them out.

I'm concerned as the 8yr old may start commenting on this soon

How do I handle this for the future?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 02/12/2013 19:25

Is it that in fact you're embarrassed by your mother's contribution compared to the generosity of your mil? I understand this, (I really do) but honestly no one else will really notice

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/12/2013 19:26

We only had one (non chocolate one) between us as well and took turns. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was the same one every year?! I loved it - so I'm fairly sure it must have been. However, things are different these days and most children have the chocolate ones (it's kind of a shame as the old ones were lovely) and they are so cheap and the chocolates are so tiny - why would you not buy one for each child if you were buying them? It's just odd behaviour - as is buying one fridge magnet between them as a 'holiday gift'.

Vatta · 02/12/2013 19:26

Take turns. I'm one of 4, we always had one calendar between us (and not even a chocolate every 4th day, the type with pictures!)

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JanePurdy · 02/12/2013 19:26

We used to share one calendar to 3 DC. Not a big deal.

NewBlueCoat · 02/12/2013 19:28

Sorry, I misread and had MIL and Op's mum round the wrong way.

Chipping: maybe the OP's my is making a point about sharing? And not being grabby?

I'd be pissed off if my children expected something each time their grandparents went travelling. They don't even get something each time their father goes travelling!

flowery · 02/12/2013 19:30

"How do you explain how this works to a 4yr old and 8yr old"

How is it possible an 8 yo and 4 yo don't already know how sharing works?

tracypenisbeaker · 02/12/2013 19:30

I think its weird. The chocolate portions are barely worth eating to begin with, let alone having to wait for one every second day .

mollythetortoise · 02/12/2013 19:37

They share of course. We have one between two and whoever goes first one year goes second the next. I write the name on the next years December so we all remember !
When growing up we shared one between 4 so had 6 goes each. It was the same calendar every year so we knew which picture was behind which door and we all wantex to be the 14th as that was the donkey. I have no idea why the donkey picture was so sought after

HappyMummyOfOne · 02/12/2013 19:39

Why would an 8 year old comment re babysitting, surely its down to you and dh to look after him not others.

One calender is not the end of the world, just let them share or pick up another one if it bothers you so much.

NoComet · 02/12/2013 19:40

The eight year old will want to say something. I used to bite my tongue at 50p when the Nan gave us £2.

50p granny was better off than £2 Nan, but a bit unrealistic.

I did say something when Nan gave me extra money occasionally because she believed my little sister was spoilt.

She was NOT. my parents were scrupulously fair.

Now Nan and my uncle , but to be fair WW2 did put it's oar in.

Golddigger · 02/12/2013 19:41

It was nice of her to send one.

Fuckingfacebook · 02/12/2013 19:42

Why can't they share?

notwoo · 02/12/2013 19:43

If they have one each from your MIL then they can easily take turns with the other one.

My 2 (4&2) have a chocolate one each and a picture one to share - it's nice for them to do it together.

decaffwithcream · 02/12/2013 19:43

The magnets could be a problem if they each have their own fridge

kelda · 02/12/2013 19:44

'The magnets could be a problem if they each have their own fridge'

CreamyCooler · 02/12/2013 19:45

Luv the fridge comment!

SpookedMackerel · 02/12/2013 19:47

My children have one to share. It didn't even occur to me to get them one each.

Sirzy · 02/12/2013 19:48

Like everyone else I cant see the problem. One opens even numbers, the other odd numbers. I am sure they will survive!

FixItUpChappie · 02/12/2013 19:48

My parents only ever got one to share between my brother and I. Just take turns is all. I wouldn't despair about it certainly - they probably were thinking the same thing.

SatinSandals · 02/12/2013 19:51

We have always had one to share-when I was little we just got excited about opening the door for the picture. It is a bit sad that it is all about chocolate and they can't cope with having one every other day.

decaffwithcream · 02/12/2013 19:52

Thank you, I searched hard for the potential problem here.

Eve · 02/12/2013 19:54

You eat the chocolate, if it is chocolate, problem solved.

shoppingbagsundereyes · 02/12/2013 19:55

My children are happy to share stuff like that. We have an advent calendar that I put bits into but dd got a Disney princess one as a party bag gift on Saturday. She and ds are going to take it in turns to have a chocolate from that calendar. For what it's worth they always share the sweets and cake from a party bag with one another too. Do you not want your children to share?

writingquestion · 02/12/2013 19:57

Hmm, we have one calendar to share, and it isn't even chocolate. They take it in turns.

Jaffakake · 02/12/2013 19:58

Is this really about them not being the type of grandparent you'd hoped they'd be rather than about the actual advent calendar?

We've got one excellent set (200 miles away) & one rubbish set (7 miles away) the rubbish ones are going through a late life crisis & are midst divorce, but at least I now know what's at the bottom of them being a bit pants for 2+ years. It frustrates me massively, especially as they were good parents, but there's nothing I can do about it. If your 8 year old starts commenting, let him, it may be the jolt to grandparent needs to realise what they've missed, or, it'll roll off their back!

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