I am single and do not have any children of my own. I have a six year old nephew and a 7 year old niece who I love dearly. Since they were born, I usually was pretty good to them during the Christmas season by buying more gifts than I should. My nephew seems very appreciative, but it seems like my niece is becoming spoiled. My sister was telling my niece that this is going to be a hard year for Santa due to the economy. My niece told her that she did not care because I always buy her lots of gifts anyway. Most of the adults in my family thought it was funny and cute, but I found that comment very hurtful. Am I over-reacting? Shouldn't they teach her that she is not being grateful? In addition, I think my niece has made inappropriate comments on other holidays also. For example, during her birthday, she told her mom that it looks like she did not get that much. She got several larger more costly items items like a dvd and tv. During Easter, she told me, you just bought me two toys? I didn't give baskets because they get so many from other people and they have enought candy. Also, I really don't go all out for other occasions like I do on Christmas. It is hard financially to do that all year long. And, I don't know, I just choose to buy more at Christmas than other holidays. That should be my choice. I just was wondering if I could get some comments and feedback from actual parents to see if I am letting those comments bother me too much and if they would let their kids say things like that. I'm beginning to think I should just give her one toy and that is it. As she gets older, she is going to thing she can get anything she wants.
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My daughters are 10 and 11 years old. . My brothers are both single and have no children, so they, like you, love to buy gifts for my girls at Christmas and other holidays. As a parent I look at it 2 ways, #1 Sometimes I feel like my kids get too much, and ARE spoiled. My girls always look forward to my brothers coming here for Christmas, they love their uncles very much and I'm sure they would even without the gifts. The gifts isn't what they remember at Christmas as much as the good times we have when the family gets together. Every year people ask them, "So what did you get for Christmas" and would you believe they have to think about it?? It's shamefull!! they simply get too much. #2 We have a 1800square foot house which is a good size compared to others where we live, but the kids clutter takes up too much room. they have too much stuff,and can't appreciate what they DO have. they get tired of things too quickly. Every year before Christmas we get a HUGE box from an appliance store and try to fill it with things that are in good shape that we no longer need/ want and donate it to the Salvation Army. they always feel good about this, and find they don't miss anything either. Because they always get so much at Christmas! Here's an idea, My parents did this one year when we were kids and I always remember it. We all had LOTS of gifts under the tree one year, (which was unusual for us as we didn't have a lot of money when we were growing up) the gifts had our name on it and were numbered. We had to open them in order. Which was fun all by itself (afterall, everybody likes to open gifts) each box was empty except for a note. A memory from the past or a "we love you because...." then the last present was our actual Christmas gift, Maybe you would like to try something like that? I would say buy her 1 gift at Christmas, and spend time with her. that's what she will remember most.
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