I was hoping this year would be different than last, as far as SD, now 17, would be about her b-day gift. I was hoping DH would get a thank you out of her, without having to "ask for it". But , that's just what happened. He called SD on SS cell phone, they were out with MIL, so it was a "safe" bet that he would get through, did not hear if SS answered his cell, or if DH called MIL's cell after, to get a hold of them. He got SD on the phone, and started talking to her, and asked if she got her cards, with the $$ in it, and her gift. SD said she got them, and that BM was impressed!!! Well, happy day!! Nice PAS moment SD and BM must have shared, impressed that DH "remembers he has a daughter" and sends her something, forget about the love, and caring, and missing her, just send the $$ and the gifts!!! UUUGGGHHH! SSis no different as well, so we really should not expect anything more from either of them, but what is so freakin' hard about picking up a phone and saying thank you when you get something?? My kids are younger than them, and they have been doing that sense they could speak! I remember many times putting my kids on the phone to say thanks to family members and friends for presents, and they were little! It's just good manners, I thought. It also teaches them to be thankful for what you get. I need to get it through my head.....that my skids don't know that, that we "owe" them, and the only way they know we care is by buying them stuff, and our love for them comes in measures of the $$ amount we spend! Sorry, I'm going on a tear, and venting right now, but it kills me that this is acceptable behavior. I did not say to much to DH about it, I have in the past, and he does not need to hear it again, as he is aware of it. I did tell him about talking to SS on myspace yesterday morning, and I asked him how SD birthday went, and did she like her present, and he never answered my question, but changed the subject to something els. Weird. I wonder though, just what DH will send her next year..... I'll be buying myself a roll of duck tape for my mouth that week!