A mother has been left 'heartbroken' after her planned Christmas morning with her son has been "ruined by her in-laws" who gave her son his dream present she already bought him. The distraught woman took to Mumsnet to share her frustration and ask for advice after her son's grandparents bought a cheaper version of the main toy he had asked for this year, Wales Online reports.
Posting on the 'Am I Being Unreasonable' thread on the online forum, she wrote: "I'm just heartbroken. Ever since a friend got one in January this year, all my little boy has asked for for Christmas is a remote control monster truck. We've ummed and erred but it's the only thing he asked for this year so we got him one from the same series as his friends.
"It was £70 but having seen his ability to control his friend's truck and how well it lasted this year we decided it was worth it. It's a full-on RC truck, not a 'toy' one - if that makes sense, and we've been so excited to fulfil this year long dream for him.
"We've just come back from my in laws having an early Christmas and they gave him books, Christmas pyjamas and... a cheap dinosaur-themed 'toy' remote control monster truck! I'm not sure I can be cross with them as they aren't the sort to ask what to get him or what we're getting him the way his other grandparents or relatives do.
"But they've taken that special gift away from us, or am I being ungrateful here? I'm sure they knew that's what he wants, although possibly haven't been told directly that we were getting it.
"They haven't asked my husband what they should get but I'd hope they'd think we were handling the one thing on his official letter to Santa? The upset mother said her son had even told her that he didn't need to get a truck from Santa now that he already has one.
Looking for some advice on the situation, she continued: "I just feel he's going to be so disappointed with our gift, and due to its value, there's only stocking stuffers from us to go with it. Our son is too young to appreciate that our truck is of much better quality etc.
"I just feel that possibly unintentionally, they've stolen a magical Christmas morning from us. I know grandparents like to spoil their grandkids, it's lovely, but not to get 'the big gift'?
"I want to ask them in future to at least run their gift ideas by us if they're not going to ask what to get him. Am I over reacting?"
Many other users were quick to side with the disappointed mother as they agreed that the situation would also upset them. However, a few criticised her for not being 'grateful' that her son is lucky enough to have lovely grandparents who are still alive.
One commenter said: "Oh I totally get it. I’ve bought an amazing fire engine toy for my fireman-mad 4-year-old and specifically asked other relatives not to get this. Lo and behold a Lego fire engine turns up from grandparents (in-laws) last weekend.
"I'm frustrated but I know that rationally I should be happy that he’s been playing with the Lego toy all week. It's just upsetting when you have a limited amount of money to spend on a child and you want to get their main gifts right."
Another agreed: "I don’t think it’s unreasonable to feel upset. But I bet on Christmas morning, he’ll be delighted, and will be able to tell yours is better! Plus, cheap remote control vehicles last really badly, so theirs probably won’t work by the end of January and yours will come into its own!"
One mum tried to bring some positivity to the situation as she suggested" "I think we all understand you feel disappointed and your son feels excited to have a new toy. "I doubt it will take away the specialness of his gift - just imagine being able to join in the fun and have races!"
Another sly user proposed: "Take the batteries, out of the grandparents gift tonight and when it doesn't work just say “oh no it's broken. Then Christmas day will bring him a new one and a few days later you can ‘fix’ the grandparent one and then he will have two to race with."
However, not everyone agreed with the angry mum as one remarked: "You are being unreasonable on every level. Be grateful your child has grandparents that care and still afford gifts and are alive!"
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