Birthday gift ideas for an 11 year old ?! Help!

victory

Troutwrestler wrote: »

Tbh.. Most of my daughters friends have the same..if not more..so no..I don't see it as more than most get. I do however realise she is becoming ungrateful and that is something I want to stop.

Every child has more than yours, every child tells their parents that, I have had years of it and you will have a nightmare in the future if you do not stop and put your money away and take them out, enjoy the pleasure of them growing up, no one needs all the gadgets going, what kids need is you being there, reading with them, listening, laughing, spending time in the fresh air, teach them how to use vouchers, what the value of money is, how to save, how to look forward to things, how hard it is to get it together for the big things and when the big things do come how to appreciate it, make memories , it's not about ££££££

cutestkids

victory wrote: »

You must be able to realise yourself though that is way more than most children get?

My youngest is going to a theme park next week with the school because his class has been the best behaved and that is their reward, the way he talks about it, it is like they have bought the theme park for him and he will be greeted at the door by his name and VIP'd around the park:rotfl: he is beside himself with excitement because he has worked for it and more importantly to him it is a treat for him as he does not get to go often and also his very best bit is that it's free:D

This is just lovely to hear my kids are like that as well they get excited about things like trips out because it is a treat not an every day thing for us.

To be honest OP your daughter sounds like a complete brat and you are allowing her to be like this.
Saying that you do it because she has health problems makes it even worse, there are people all over the world with all kinds of problems, it does not give them the right to have everything they want.

You are not doing her any favours by giving in to her all the time.

Troutwrestler

I think the problem is I have got into a pattern of buying it because she wants it...no other reason.

The things people have suggested..a meal and a shopping trip for her birthday are what we do on a normal day... Like I said I take full responsibility for her becoming ungrateful..but I'm going to put my foot down...she can have anything she wants..but not if she's a madam about it.

Troutwrestler

Tbf... It's a bit out of order to call my daughter a brat! You don't know her..stroppy madam yes.... Spoilt.....yes... But she has a heart of gold.

Also..I would like to point out I spend all my time with my children...I take them swimming and to park several times a week..I read them stories...just beacause I buy her things doesn't mean I,m not there emotionally or physically.

kingfisherblue

I've come up with an idea - and it won't cost anything anywhere near the price of an Iphone! You mentioned that your daughter goes to Guides, so how about some Guide related gifts? There are quite a few to choose from, and if she doesn't have a G-File, I highly recommend her getting one. This link includes badges, so you may have to scroll through a bit to find suitable items.

http://www.girlguidingshop.co.uk/Products/GirlGuides/Guides/Gifts-and-Fun-Badges---Guides--Girlguiding/

You could always get her a selection of gifts and make up a hamper.

If you have a local depot (the Guide leader will know), then any profits will go straight back into local Guiding in your area. You probably won't have to pay postage either. If not, then any profits help Guiding as a whole.

You could add an 'Adopt a.....' (insert child/animal/whatever yyour choice is) if you wanted, and point out that helping others is an integral part of Guiding. You could also have a look at any badges that you think she might enjoy doing and add any materials that she might need in order to complete them.

Guide badges are here:

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/Guides/gfibadge/badges/index.html

cte1111

Troutwrestler wrote: »

The hair extensions are pink ok outed ones of which she has about 15 ...why...because she wanted pink steaks in her hair and I didn't want her bleaching her hair.
I personally don't see this as shocking. I was allowed to dye my hair from 12 and had pierced belly button at 14.. I think it's down to what you consider shocking tbh.

There is a big difference between 10 and 12. My daughter would like to dye her hair too. I said she can when she's older. In the meantime she's got some multicoloured clip in rainbow hair from Claire's Accessories. Apart from anything else, I wouldn't want hair glue or other chemicals on a young child's sensitive skin. I was going to suggest something like this as a present before I read the whole thread, but can see that this wouldn't be expensive enough to be seen as a real present in your family.

I guess this shocked me because it is very expensive and part of a possible problem of making a young girl look older. In a way I wonder whether this is part of the reason that nothing apart from the most expensive gadgets will suit your daughter, as she sees herself as older and more 'sophisticated' than the primary school child that she is. I'm happy for my children to enjoy their childhood, rather than making them into mini grown ups.

To me hair extensions and other expensive adornments are more appropriate for women in their late teens and early twenties. My sister and I used to dye each other's hair as a teenager with sachets from Boots. That kind of thing is part of growing up, as is experimenting with Auntie's hand me down make up and posing in the mirror. Hair extensions for a 10 year old? Sorry I'm still shocked.

Troutwrestler

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I've come up with an idea - and it won't cost anything anywhere near the price of an Iphone! You mentioned that your daughter goes to Guides, so how about some Guide related gifts? There are quite a few to choose from, and if she doesn't have a G-File, I highly recommend her getting one. This link includes badges, so you may have to scroll through a bit to find suitable items.

http://www.girlguidingshop.co.uk/Products/GirlGuides/Guides/Gifts-and-Fun-Badges---Guides--Girlguiding/

You could always get her a selection of gifts and make up a hamper.

If you have a local depot (the Guide leader will know), then any profits will go straight back into local Guiding in your area. You probably won't have to pay postage either. If not, then any profits help Guiding as a whole.

You could add an 'Adopt a.....' (insert child/animal/whatever yyour choice is) if you wanted, and point out that helping others is an integral part of Guiding. You could also have a look at any badges that you think she might enjoy doing and add any materials that she might need in order to complete them.

Guide badges are here:

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/Guides/gfibadge/badges/index.html

Brilliant idea! She has a g file but there are a few other things I could get her I'm sure she'd love!
Thanks.

victory

Troutwrestler wrote: »

I think the problem is I have got into a pattern of buying it because she wants it...no other reason.

The things people have suggested..a meal and a shopping trip for her birthday are what we do on a normal day... Like I said I take ill responsibility for her becoming ungrateful..but I'm going o put my foot down...she can have anything she wants..but not if she's a brat about it.

A meal out is a treat not just a normal day thing for a million and one kids, mine included...

A holiday in UK or abroad is something to look forward to, to save up for, to plan, to talk about, to get excited about, not a normal thing, a luxury...

A shopping trip is a necessity for us, for school clothes or a treat for holiday clothes, something to look forward to, to save up for, not a normal day..

A trip to alton towers, is with vouchers and planning and excitement not just because...

An iphone, don't have one, could never justify spending that amount on a phone, that is a luxury,

Oh I could go on, the point is, everything you have mentioned is to me luxuries, lovely to have, unnecessary, if you have them you should appreciate them and feel lucky

Troutwrestler

cte1111 wrote: »

There is a big difference between 10 and 12. My daughter would like to dye her hair too. I said she can when she's older. In the meantime she's got some multicoloured clip in rainbow hair from Claire's Accessories. Apart from anything else, I wouldn't want hair glue or other chemicals on a young child's sensitive skin. I was going to suggest something like this as a present before I read the whole thread, but can see that this wouldn't be expensive enough to be seen as a real present in your family.

I guess this shocked me because it is very expensive and part of a possible problem of making a young girl look older. In a way I wonder whether this is part of the reason that nothing apart from the most expensive gadgets will suit your daughter, as she sees herself as older and more 'sophisticated' than the primary school child that she is. I'm happy for my children to enjoy their childhood, rather than making them into mini grown ups.

To me hair extensions and other expensive adornments are more appropriate for women in their late teens and early twenties. My sister and I used to dye each other's hair as a teenager with sachets from Boots. That kind of thing is part of growing up, as is experimenting with Auntie's hand me down make up and posing in the mirror. Hair extensions for a 10 year old? Sorry I'm still shocked.

Fair enough. I don't see it as shocking and she certainly doesn't look grown up...they are barbie pink hair extensions...made especially for children.
Again...we all bring our children up differently... I see no problem with her getting her hair and nails done..it's something that we do together and both enjoy. But your entitled to your opinion

Troutwrestler

victory wrote: »

A meal out is a treat not just a normal day thing for a million and one kids, mine included...

A holiday in UK or abroad is something to look forward to, to save up for, to plan, to talk about, to get excited about, not a normal thing, a luxury...

A shopping trip is a necessity for us, for school clothes or a treat for holiday clothes, something to look forward to, to save up for, not a normal day..

A trip to alton towers, is with vouchers and planning and excitement not just because...

An iphone, don't have one, could never justify spending that amount on a phone, that is a luxury,

Oh I could go on, the point is, everything you have mentioned is to me luxuries, lovely to have, unnecessary, if you have them you should appreciate them and feel lucky

But a meal out or my family is one thing we do several times a week..not special occasions..so even to me that wouldn't seem special. I go shopping and buy myself things every week... So she is used to that...

Every family is different.