I had one of those the other day.... Our kids school has a 'Christmas shop' where kids can buy really cheap gifts for family members. SD9 told DS8 she wanted a ring that was there. Once she found out the ring cost only $.25 she decided she didn't want it anymore, however DS8 had already bought it. When they got home and she saw he had purchased the ring as her gift, she whispered to him to take it back, she doesn't want it. I heard her make reference to the $.25.

I got a little pissed. I have always taught my kids that, even if you absolutely HATE a gift someone gives you, you still smile and thank them. They did something to try and make you happy.

So, in front of DH, I asked SD9 why she would tell him to return the gift my son got her. DH asked what the problem was about, so I told him the story. Then she said 'I never told him I wanted a ring!' She insisted. However, my son would not have bought a ring unless she asked him. He is more into finding games the kids can play together.

I told her that regardless of whether or not she asked him, when someone buys you something, you should say thank you. You don't tell them to take it back! What does DH say? "Well aren't you glad she knows better than to accept a ring from her stepbrother, that it is not an appropriate gift from a boy to a girl?"

WTF??????

I said, "That is not why she doesn't want it!!! She's not that bright!!! He's not asking her to marry him!! She want's something that cost more than a freakin quarter!"

He argued. I got up and left the table. Only THEN did he talk to her about how to accept a gift graciously. And my boy still wanted to get her something different, but I would not let him.

Why the hell do they get so defensive, when it is OBVIOUS what their kid is doing?? He thinks I pick on her too much. I think he babies her and he needs to let her grow up... act like a 9 year old instead of a 4 year old. She's his favorite, which would be fine if he didn't make it obvious to all the other kids.

thankfully my Dh has never said "why do you hate him so much" some days i'm afraid that i would just go off and list all the reasons. some legitimately due to the kid and should know better, but a majority would just be a true blame that shoudl go to DH and POS BM for being shitty parents. parent your children as they should be parented, dont not do things because it'll make you the bad guy or make the kid mad....he stinks and should take a shower and wear clean clothes....this isnt a hard lesson to teach him!!!! you want clean clothes....put the basket dirty clothes belong in infront of the washer and dryer and you will have clean clothes. at 15 and 17 they should be able to handle this task.

i've had a super shitty day starting at 7am and i dont know what i'm going to do if i hear the skids will be over this weekend.