taking money for dads present out of pocket money

[millymo]

is it okay do you think.
I have bought a tin of sweets priced at £5 for ds to give to his dad for christmas ds is almost 9.
I have told ds that he needs to give me £5 out of his pocket money for them as it means more if he has bought them himself out of his own money.
Ds is protesting agaimsy this saying that he does not want to give £5 out of his money.
He is saving for a x box so has that on his mind.
So what do others do do they just buy the present themselves and wrap it up from their dc or do you think its acceptable to ask your dc to pay out of their own pocket money.

Doesn't it also mean more if DS has chosen the gift?

I wouldn't buy something and then ask for money, but I might insist that DCs chose and paid for something, even if it's only a tiny thing.

I'd tell him to either a) buy something himself (is he buying any presents out of his pocket money? 9 not too young to start) or b) ask him to pay say half. A bt unfair to buy a present yourself then ask him to cough up.

Or you could give him a contribution towards his xmas shopping (say a tenner) and expect him to buy some little presents for the family?

I have handled it wrong I realise that now.
My thinking is all over the place with the stress of christmas I think.

so

1. eat the sweets
2. ask your DS if he's getting his dad anything

Your son doesn't owe you £5. You made the decision to buy a £5 present for your Dh, you can't charge your 9 year old for it. Either he'll get his dad something or he won't - I'd offer to contribute half to whatever he wants to get his dad.

agree with the others, like your acknowledgement post and lol at Effie!

at my ds's school they had the opportunity to buy special person in their life a little something (max £2) from the school fair (before school ended) then wrap it up (teachers supervised) and bring it home.

I told ds (7y) that I was his special person (just making that clear!) and that he had to take some of his own money in. He looked a bit agast at spending his own money, but that was all.

I am separated from their father, and will ensure that we get a little something for him from them, however I will take them shopping with me and get them to choose it (maybe with some guidance). I'd definately pay this year, I'm not sure at what age I would start to say it is their responsibility to pay.

well at least I can eat the sweets so thats something good thats come out of this.