Grandma needs a gift giving clue!
Are you of the lucky few whose kids have grandparents that give the best gifts without any prompting or hint dropping? Good for you because the vast majority of us have parents and in-laws who are clueless when it comes to gift giving.
My mother has to be the worst gift giver ever. She tends to buy my kids gifts that she wanted as a kid. She insists my daughters should have a collectible Barbie for every occasion even though my oldest daughter has made it quite clear that she has never liked to play with Barbies. This is the same daughter who will need therapy as an adult when she starts having flashbacks from the days when grandma made her wear stiff polyester pinafore dresses trimmed in itchy lace.
Sometimes my mother does choose a great gift or toy for my kids but they are not age appropriate. She seems to think her grandchildren are much younger than they are. Maybe that’s her way of preventing them from growing up too fast. The sad thing is my kids have figured out what a lousy gift giver grandma is but are learning how to graciously accept her gifts. I actually role play with my kids on how to not let grandma know that her gift sucks since she tends to get her feelings hurt easily. Why is it that the worst gift givers are always the most indignant that you must love their gift and tell them often just how wonderful their gift is?
My kids have perfected the art of telling grandma that her gift is their favorite.
I’ve lost all hope that my mother will get a clue and assure my kids that one day they will be able to laugh about grandma’s gifts. ~Kristie
This post is a part of the Parent Bloggers Network’s latest Blog Blast, sponsored by the Grandkids Gift Guide. Post anytime this weekend- Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18. Then email the link to your post at parentbloggers@gmail.com. You could win a fab prize!
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Welcome back!
#1 Daisy on May 17, 2008:
My dad bought my daughter a Barbie calendar — when she was twelve and more into the boy bands. We worked cautiously and carefully to let him know what kinds of things would be age appropriate.
Daisy’s last blog post..Drain the swamp. Drain the swamp.
#2 Martha on November 26, 2008:
** TickleMe Plant – It Moves **
A great green low cost gift that will make everyone smile is to grow a TickleMe Plant and watch it MOVE when Tickled! The leaves quickly fold and even the branches droop when tickled. I found this to be a great stress reliever in my office and what a conversation piece!. You may have seen the TickleMe Plant in the botanical gardens.. Now it can be grown indoors year round.
No green thumb needed. I found it on line at http://www.ticklemeplant.com