My son's 18th birthday wish list

victory

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kjmtidea

For my 18th I got a lovely necklace, a limited edition one that my dad chose, he died a few months later so it means even more to me.

If any of my boys behaved the way your son is then I would sit down with him and make him work out how many hours I would have to work to afford the things he is asking. Then make him try and work out how I could afford to pay rent, bills, food etc as well.
I have to admit I would be really really disappointed if any of them did behave in that way

Owain_Moneysaver

victory wrote: »

When I say to him what I got, he just rolls his eyes:rotfl: he reminds me that in my day there was no ipod, no laptop, that we played with wooden toys, that we all shared the one pram with one dolly and had a lovely time and if we were given a box of biscuits at xmas we were grateful:rotfl:

We wuz poor but 'appy.

victory

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victory

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Decluttering

What an ungrateful son, I'm 20 and I have to admit that my parents have given me a couple of extravagant gifts (camera, netbook, camcorder) but I have never demanded them or expected them as a standard. I think some people expect their 18th birthday to be a big bang that kickstarts their awesome adult lifestyle but expecting everyone to comply with their every demand is unrealistic.

The stories on here sort of remind me of someone I went to college with, 19 years old. He came in one day at 11am moaning that his alarm hadn't gone off and that his mum hadn't woken him up. He then had an argument with her, eventually leading to her crying because he said him being late might result in him failing his course and it would be all her fault. He honestly thought that he was in the right and that his mum had some sort of legal obligation to make sure he was awake in time. It was crazy.

victory

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victory

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Plans_all_plans

victory wrote: »

If I was not so financially restricted yes he could get more, he would be given more

Why would you give him more? Because he wants more? Or because you feel he deserves more? He is acting very immaturely in my opinion and he certainly doesn't deserve more (even if you were a millionaire) if he can't understand your current situation. Where is his empathy? Where is his understanding of reality? Where is his self-respect? And why should his parents finance his lifestyle?

Given you state you'd give him more if you could afford it ,shows me where you have gone wrong in terms of his ungratefulness and current behaviour. Why would you give him more if he's not able to be grateful or understanding about that which you can give him?

Decluttering

victory wrote: »

Some extravagant gifts are fine, 18th is a big thing, we want to give him something he will appreciate (oh but what?) he will remember etc but he has this list that is way beyond sensible, reasonable, affordable or realistic and will not give it to him.

Thinking along the lines of another Sweet 16 type programme, I remember one where the girl was turning 18 and about to go away to college. Her mum commisioned an artist friend to paint a portrait of her (the mum) semi naked for her to hang in her college dorm. It was meant to symbolise her mum being her guardian angel and the daughter understood the meaning but it did look a bit ridiculous. That would certainly be an unforgettable gift, I don't think he'd appreciate it though :rotfl: