I Appreciate the thought, but...

Teacher2

'Grandma issues' are always difficult ones, especially if your spouse is caught between you and his/her parent. Family harmony is probably best preserved at all costs even if it means swallowing your own views (up to a point) however right they are. Perhaps in this case a tactful suggestion that contributions to a junior savings account might be appreciated, especially if grandma took the grandchild to the savings institution herself and let the child put his or her money in. That would be a great way to start a prudent savings habit and a nice trip for both generations. Also, BOOKS are not just toys but an educational investment. Encourage grandma to buy books. There is no such thing as 'Too many books'.

dizziblonde

Teacher2 wrote: »

There is no such thing as 'Too many books'.

Oh there is- when you're having to move house down the street, husband in bed with man flu and you're shifting box after box after box of them on your own. There's DEFINITELY too many books then.

Maat

One other suggestion (and there are some great ones on here) is maybe to suggest that instead of spending money on toys she could take the children for trips out. I don't remember more than a couple of the toys I had when I was a child but I do remember my grandparents taking me out. It was the experiences they gave us and just being with people who loved us so much that counted.

nannabug

How wise of you to think like this.
I am a grandmother and my grandchildren have so much too. I spoke to my son and suggested that I give the children money birthday and Christmas so that when they are eighteen there will be a lump sum to help towards a car. They won't have remembered all the presents down the years but they will never forget the lump sum on their 18th!
He agreed it was a brilliant idea as they receive so much from other friends and family anyway.
Perhaps approach the grandparents with an idea that will be much more beneficial to the children in the long run. I'm sure they will see the sense and they could always get a small gift as a token present.
It works for us.
Best of luck.
:T

mumps

nannabug wrote: »

How wise of you to think like this.
I am a grandmother and my grandchildren have so much too. I spoke to my son and suggested that I give the children money birthday and Christmas so that when they are eighteen there will be a lump sum to help towards a car. They won't have remembered all the presents down the years but they will never forget the lump sum on their 18th!
He agreed it was a brilliant idea as they receive so much from other friends and family anyway.
Perhaps approach the grandparents with an idea that will be much more beneficial to the children in the long run. I'm sure they will see the sense and they could always get a small gift as a token present.
It works for us.
Best of luck.
:T

I think it is great to save for grandchildren. I have an account for mine and have told my son and dil that the money will be there if they can't afford expensive school trips or for uni etc. but I wouldn't be happy if they suggested I should open a savings account. I am surprised how many people think that is appropriate.

Daisy_Bell

We have four little ones to buy for; one grandchild and three great-grandchildren. Because 'The Other Side' give them all so many toys, we have always given all of them money for birthdays and Christmas, rather than toys, so that their parents can spend it on whatever they need. (We do the same with some of the parents too! They are none of them very well-off financially, so the money comes in useful.) Whenever we see the kids, we usually give them a pound or two each and because they are being brought up to know the value of money, they save it for whatever they are into, or if they're going somewhere special in the holidays, etc. and need spending money.
They all have their own savings accounts, so some of the money gets saved in those too.
When they were very young, because they didn't actually 'See' their presents, we usually gave them a card with the money in, together with something very small, maybe chocolate; explaining to them that there were some pennies for them in the card.
Over the years we've also helped out with things like school breakfast clubs and classes for extra-curricular activities; to my mind, much more practical than forever adding to the ever-growing toy collection!

Morglin

Grannies love to spoil their grandchildren, so don't spoil her fun, especially if she is also kind enough to be helping with the child care!

Ask her to keep some stuff at her house, certainly, and perhaps ask if she could spend half her current spending on some sort of savings account, but let her have her pleasure.

We have 10 grandkids, and love spoiling the little ones, as we can give them the treats we couldn't afford when the children were all growing up, and as their parents are all paying mortgages etc., it takes some of the pressure off of them..

Lin

Mummybear2014

I have the same issue. My MIL buys presents all the time. I have spoken to her about it and she now sneaks things into our house by just leaving it somewhere in a bag. I asked her to get clothes instead. We have over 30 pairs of socks for my daughter for example as every time she sees a pair she buys them. For Christmas she bought 17 long sleeved t-shirts as well as jumper dresses, leggings, pajamas... Because I asked her not to buy her any toys. We are from a big family and didn't want to end up with bucketfuls of toys. I want my daughter to learn about moderation and to appreciate what she has but tricky as MIL buys her new things each week. I have broached the subject with her and she understands my point of view and is trying to curtail it. I bring some of the stuff back, change it for more useful things, regift it, give it to charity etc. But I don't think you need to abandon how you want your child to grow up because of gratitude for childcare. You have the right to say how you want things done.