My MIL and FIL buy things for us all the time. This includes christmas and birthday gifts and even sometime random stuff they see that they think we will like. We do the same for them though too :) My parents would if they had the money but as it is they are barely making it so they dont really buy for anyone else.
I love giving gifts when I can. That won't change when my kids are grown.
My parents still buy me things, because they want to. I think there's a huge difference between pressuring your parents to buy you something you can't afford or don't want to spend the money for and having a two-way giving relationship with yoru parents. I get stuff for my parents and they get stuff for me. They will just show up with some groceries or something they saw in a store that they thought I'd like. The same goes for me. I'm always taking things over there. I think a parent who woudl tell a 13-year-old they are done spending on him are terrible parents because it's not just money they withheld, it's a relationship that a child deserves. I'm not saying that a relationship is based on buying things, I'm saying that if you care about each other and want to do little things to make their day then the occasional present will happen. I also do lots of other things for my parents like do their laundry and clean their house and they do other non-monetary things for me. We don't keep score, we just do those things because we're close. What a horrible parent to say 'I'm done taking care of you, now you have to take care of me."
I have given much thought to this. My mother-in-law mentions every christmas how hard I am to buy for. I have started giving her a list which she says she really appreciates, but I feel awkward doing it. I want her to know that I appreciate everything she does for my kids, but I expect no gifts from her. I give her a list because I know she wants to get me things she knows I will like. I feel grateful for any gifts I get, but expect none.
I have 7 siblings total and most have a spouse and at least one child. Our parents(s) only give us things usually for Birthdays (if theyre going to see us) or for Christmas. My step-mom tries to send random gifts to all her grandkids though out the year so they each feel special. I'm sure if I asked, they would help us out but we are adults and we can afford those on our own and just don't have the need. My grandmother, however, buys me clothes like I was going "Back to school shopping" everytime I go see her. Or she'll buy me makeup or whatever. She loves to buy me things, why deprive her of that joy ;-) As long as you aren't taking advantage, I don't see the problem.
Quoting sparklebug86:well I mooch big time but her gifts come with major strings! She has purchased outdoor living room furniture, charm bracelete, power wheels mercedes SUV for the kids, cowboy boots, clothes for each season, paid our insurance once when hubby lost his job, crib, not to mention dinners, trips to sea world, ren fest etc :) I love my mommy very much but she also feels that it gives her the right to say whatever she wants and thats not fun :(
Am I overreacting or? Eta and small update
- lillypie2
on Jan. 18, 2013 at 9:28 AM