My son is 10, and all his friends are girls. He’s very sensitive, and often the only boy invited to the girly parties (they’ve hit the age where typically the kids split into boys/girls)
Where we live Labubus are HUGE. I’d arranged for a gift basket for Girl A’s 11th birthday. It had face masks, hand creams, boba tea, you get the idea. I think the package came to about $30 or so.
My son was desperate to give her a Labubu. The main ones retail approx $70, which was too much, but he found a smaller keychain for $40, so we added that to the basket.
He’s just come back from the party devastated. Apparently A was super excited, but then saw that it was a) a smaller keychain (but genuine) and b) not the one she wanted (they are in blind boxes) so literally threw it away. My son says she said ‘this is rubbish, not what I want, anyone can take it’
So he picked it up, and asked to be dropped home as soon as possible.
Now I’m in a quandary. Do I mention anything to the mum? It was discussed that there was a labubu in the basket. I’m on ok speaking terms with her. Or do I just let it drop? I am LIVID for my son, who was so excited, and gutted by A’s response. But WIBTA for taking it further? Should I just let sleeping dogs lie?
Comments
NTA-tell the mom and give her an opportunity to correct the entitled behavior. If the mom has a negative reaction, then you should rethink your son’s friendship with this girl.
O wow, what a brat. I wouldn’t seek the mum out, but if we were ever to get to talking about this in the near future. And brat would never get anything again…
So, imo you wouldn’t be the ass, but I wouldn’t neccessarily do so, if I didn’t have a good relationship with the mum before.
Yeah I’d let her mom know that Son was hurt by her daughter’s public rejection of a gift.
Consider whether or not talking to the mother could end up making things harder for your son. Because that could happen. Is it worth it?
I doubt speaking to the mom would help, might even make things awkward for your son. I think you need to talk to your son about bad friends, getting to choose people who appreciate him, and the importance of respecting himself.
Maybe. It might be better to use this as a teaching experience for your kid. Teaching your child to ask questions is one of the best ways to learn to deal with people. For example, he could ask her what was wrong with the gift, already knowing the answer, she will repeat her selfish answer, perhaps in front of one of her parents, if you arrange it to happen that way. He can then ask her if getting a present she didn’t really like was better than no present at all, just so he is clear for future parties. You get the idea, asking her questions that will point out her bad behavior. Lastly he can tell her that he is sorry she was so disappointed and because of how she reacted, he doesnt want to be friends with her anymore.
Was the other mother there when this happened and already saw her throw it away? If she did then really no point in talking to her about what is essentially a poor parenting choice to not deal with it there and speak about gratefulness.
A. I would never spend that much on a child’s gift who wasn’t family. $70???
B. Yes, I would talk to the mother. The girl’s behavior was absolutely unacceptable.
NTA – If I was that girl’s parent I would want to know if my child had done something so cruel so I could address it.
These poor kids growing up in a time when precious toys which cost good money, come in blind packaging, while at the same time being collectibles. What if the gift had been a full size Labubu and it was still the wrong one. Having said that, before every birthday party, parents should teach their children to say, thank you, even if the gift is the wrong. That little girl was out of order.
NTA. I would be so embarrassed and ashamed if my daughter did that, and l I’d want someone to tell me, so I could correct her. That’s not the kind of person I’m teaching my daughter to be, and if that was my daughter I wouldn’t name names to start drama, but I’d definitely be like I noticed you said somethings that were very unkind when opening presents. Remember your guests give you things because they love you and want to celebrate you, not because they have to. I’m not raising you to be the kind of person that is unkind to people who give you gifts.
AND ALSO different parents parent differently. I agree with others to use this as a teaching moment with your son to examine if that’s the kind of person to be friends with. Eleven years old is old enough to be thankful for every present they receive and definitely old enough to give basic kindness to the person gifting them something.