Advertisements
Advertisements
We have an open realationship with our adopted daughters grandmother and birthmother. There is no legal contract for open adoption, but we have chosen to keep them as part of our daughter's life. we adopted her a year ago at the age of ten. Her birthmom has had problems with drug addiction for 15 years, but has remained clean for the last two years, the first one of those being spent in prison.
Prior to Christmas I sent emails to both b grandma and b mom asking that they keep any gifts small as 1) we are trying to keep the focus on the love rather than the material side of Christmas and 2) T is one of four children (only one bio) and the only one that would be receiving any gifts from birth family members. Although we realize things will never be absolutely fair or equal, but we don't want things totally off balance.
I heard back from both of them saying that they would honor my wishes. B mom said she was going to give her an itunes card and a cd, and b g'ma said she was going to give her "a little money" so she could choose her own gift. Today b mom came over and brought the gifts from her and b g'ma. B mom gave her a double CD, a $50 itunes card and $25 cash! B g'ma gave her $50 cash! How is that keeping things small?
I sat there in utter shock! Now, my question to all of you is, do I call or email them and tell them how I feel about their small gifts? Or do I just let it go? I do know that next summer, prior to her birthday I will give them a definate limit on how much they will be allowed to spend. I am thinking $20 is a much more appropriate amount. It is not like she lacks for anything. We have a large extended family. My in-laws have always been very generous in giving to the kids, plus she got gifts from 5 sets of aunt/uncles. Not to mention what she got from us. I am really struggling with this and just do not know if I should say anything now, or just wait till birthday time.
mrsred
I heard back from both of them saying that they would honor my wishes. B mom said she was going to give her an itunes card and a cd, and b g'ma said she was going to give her "a little money" so she could choose her own gift. Today b mom came over and brought the gifts from her and b g'ma. B mom gave her a double CD, a $50 itunes card and $25 cash! B g'ma gave her $50 cash! How is that keeping things small?
Gift giving is tricky. Maybe that is small for them to give on Christmas. The only thing sent that was "extra" was the cash the birthmom sent. And while $50.00 may be a lot for you, to them it might be less than what they give the other kids in the family.
As far as this quote:
It is not like she lacks for anything. We have a large extended family. My in-laws have always been very generous in giving to the kids, plus she got gifts from 5 sets of aunt/uncles. Not to mention what she got from us.
Birthparent giving is not about filling a material void, it is about showing the child they are special to them, something it appears that you want as well. Maybe for her birthday give them inexpensive suggestions that are more personal in nature and less expensive... Like a build-a-bear, or a photo album, etc.
Please do not assume the worst of them. Your standards may just be different.
Advertisements
I think they may think that what they gave her is small in comparison to what they spend on others. I would be gracious and thank them and say that it is much appreciated. I think a lot of the times my bmom fmaily goes overboard as well, but I just think they don;t see him that often and want him to have a nice b-day or christmas. I have started putting money into a savings bond and will tell him when he gets older- look what grandma got you.
I have to say, this doesn't seem overly exagerrative to me for Christmas, but my family REALLY does it up. I don't think its "small" but not huge either. I would set a $ limit next time if you would like.
I guess I should have stated ttat in the past for birthdays and Christmas it has been substantially less than what they gave this year. Upon further reflection I have come to the conclusion to the fact the the larger gifts had nothing to do with dd or me, but had more to do with the warped relationship between birth mom and her mother. T lived with b g'ma for the four years prior to living with us. The mother/daughter relationship between b mom and b g'ma is warped and damaged to say the least. I think T got caught in their competition to out do the other... each trying to buy T's love over the other in a gift war. It is very sad.
hey mrs .red,
i understand completely.we sent out a letter recently to our sons bmom,and in that letter said a small inexpensive gift for his birthday and christmas.before this letter she sent a large box of stuff,just because she wanted to.we are not comfortable with that.i kept out a few items to give him.the rest was donated to children at the local ronald mcdonald house for christmas,this was a service project for his scout troop.i would say put the money in a savings or college fund for her.and make sure you send them a letter about gifts ,before this happens again.you are her parents now,and decide what gifts she can or can not accept from others.
Advertisements