Christmas

Can you ask her what she’d prefer to receive and spend an equal amount of money on her so that she doesn’t feel pushed out/second rate but on something you know she’d actually use? What about tickets to an event/day out that you could do with her or she could do with her dad? It’s really tricky and I get where you’re coming from but I expect there’s already a bit of jealousy on your step daughter’s part knowing that her dad lives with your son & also now has another child who he sees more than he sees her. I think spending less (if it’s obvious) would probably add to these feelings. But just my perspective!!! I have two step children too and always struggle to know how to navigate this stuff. Xx

I’d try to do the same amount of “opening” presents but spend less if you feel that’s more appropriate given time spent but I think for children they just want to be involved and have as many presents as each other 😂

This is the issue We are getting my son a laptop - partially because it will benefit him school wise But to buy for step daughter and ensure she has the same value will mean a mountain of presents that she won’t use And with regards to our joint daughter having more she ends up with the least spent on her haha! But it’s just a huge stress I obviously don’t want step daughter to feel pushed out but also don’t want to waste money She’s not into toys, too young for make up/skin care/hair care, couldn’t care less about clothes A day out is a good idea I may look for something like that! Xx

I 100% get where you're coming from. My SIL gets loads of toys for my nephew every year and literally 6 months later they're on fb marketplace never touched! It seems so wasteful but I just feel like some kids really aren't as into toys anymore Gonna sound old as f*ck now but I blame technology🤣 I reckon you couldn't go wrong with tickets to something or maybe an annual pass to an attraction she really likes or something! Then maybe little craft sets or activity sets or soft toys or something so she has things to open? Maybe even like a little Polaroid camera and a scrap book or something?! X

@Kirstie honestly I so agree!! She’s glued to her tablet and dad refuses to restrict it because ‘it’s not fair’ coz my 11 year old is upstairs on his phone/Xbox.. he doesn’t get it’s an age thing and technology should be restricted from the both (and my sons is) just not his phone! It’s really hard because she’s 2 hours away so an annual pass would be great but rarely used if that makes sense.. but I’m defo going look for a day out for her and her dad We did the Polaroid and scrapbook last year.. she loved it for about a week HAHA! 🤣 This is why it’s so hard like my son won’t care he only has a handful of gifts coz he gets the value.. my daughter won’t even bat an eyelid either way.. but I feel my SD would see the value spent on my son and the more presents for ‘our’ daughter and feel hard done by 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm super strict with my sons tablet but he hardly ever asks for it so not sure how bothered he is about that🤣 He can play with toys as a 3yo should haha Aww never! It's so hard if they have no huge interests 🤣 don't envy you! A day out seems a good shout though! Depending on what you do maybe a few things relating to it as 'hints' Just as an example if you chose Harry Potter studios or something- like Harry Potter themed things as clues xxx

I think totally reasonable. We explain to my SD (14) and SS (12) that they have less presents but they are the same value, they understand that and are happy with that. They are very tech orientated so they don’t have toys. SD loves makeup and that’s pricey haha. May be harder for a 7 year old to understand the concept that less is the same but it may be worth trying to have that conversation with her explaining why it looks like more but that they all have the same. What’s about a jar of experiences? You could think of things you could do with her throughout the year to the value you’ll spend on your other children and even free experiences like trips to the beach etc. then throughout the year she can choose one.

We would spent the similar amount but the volume of presents would differ, this year my SS asked for Golf clubs so that pretty much all his money, but it’s what he asked for. Then my son will have presents to open as they’re smaller and cheaper individually. He understands thankfully it’s the monetary amount that is equal, not the number of presents