Long time follower, first time poster here! I wanted to get everyones opinion on estranged family trying to buy my kids presents at xmas time? I'll keep this as short as possible, but after a massive falling out with a family member over drug/alcohol abuse issues over 5 years ago, they have spread so much horrible stuff about me and have successfully turned the rest of the family against me. I couldn't care less, but the problem is every year they pretend like they are the greatest family in the world and try to buy my kids affection with presents!! It wouldn't be such a big deal and most of the time I sort through what they give the kids before they get it, but I have told them this year that if they can't even be in their lives to not bother cause I will only start giving them to charity. NOT ONCE have any of them called me and asked how the kids are, or if they could see them. Only 1 person in the family has actually met my youngest. They tend to guilt someone who actually talks to me in bringing around the presents or they wait until I leave the house and drop them on the doorstep. I have heard that they all sit down that day and have a bet to see if they have upset me, or if I will throw the presents back at them.. I don't let them see if it has upset me and I don't retaliate but what would you do?
Estranged family buying kids xmas presents
Estranged family buying kids xmas presents
Posted in:
Relationships & Marriage, Parenthood Guilt, Kids
4 Replies
Same and its the rudest thing. I told them openly nottosend presents they are unappreciatedand i cant explain to the kids why they cant call them anddont kneo them. My kids dont need stuff from strangers. I told em ifthey truly have ood intentions thento call the kids and know them. They cant do thAt. Sending gifts if you donttLk to the kid is totally self serving.
I'd be donating the gifts to a charity. Quite frankly I find them doing that creepy!!
Similar situation, but my little one isn't even 6 months old.
I'm returning this years presents (if they follow through and decide to give them) because LO is being beyond spoilt with toys this Christmas. But I'll be exchanging them for something more practical as my son's outgrown his bassinet. We're a low income family, and they definitely aren't, so taking the toys back would help us out a lot and my son doesn't miss out at all! :)
However, with older children, I would toss up between donating, or (depending on the gift) giving it to the child/children but not telling them where it came from. They're children, after all. They don't care about who the gift came from, just what's inside!
Good luck!
Kids shouldn't be brought into adults mess. Protect them but don't deprive them. Take the tags off and say they are from Santa or donate them to charity.