Just a simple Thank You would do.....

You aren’t- I’m sorry to say that my sister-in – law is the same- I will send the kids gifts and I get nothing in return- All I want is a call saying we got them and thanks- I will call them to see if they got them- Oh yes but we’ve been so busy to call. I can see now with my brother in Iraq- I cut them a ton of slack! This was when he was home. I still send them things because I want them to have them- and I want the kids to know I love them and care- It’s not the kids fault- Well it is kind of- 2 are old enough to call me on their own- 16, 12, and a 7 yr old. They don’t usually send anything to my daughter on her b-day or anything unless they are home and spend it with us- I understand with having 3 kids and money is tight- but even a card or a cheap gift- My daughter asks sometimes- Mom why doesn’t so and so send me a card or call me? Explain that to a 10 year old.

For years I had a sister-in-law just like yours. She never appreciated all the things that I would do for them. I always bought all of my two nephews clothing because they couldn't afford to. Neither of them ever thanked me but I didn't want to make my nephews suffer because of their parents lack of manners. When I found out that they couldn't afford to buy the boys their clothing because my sister-in-law was wasting money going out with her friends I stopped helping them at all. Its been a year now since I bought the boys anything except foe their birthdays and Christmas. I didn't buy things that were useful. I bought things that were fun for them to play with. My sister-in-law has called me on several occasions to tell me how the boys really need some new clothes. I tell her that I hope she has fun shopping. I know several families that have this same type of situation. We all just have to learn how to deal with it in our own way.

My family is similar. Except, they will ask me for money. I am normally very frugal. I was raised mainly by my grandfather, don't get me wrong my parents were there but I spent every possible moment with my poppy because I loved him so much. He was frugal. He worked hard his whole life to make money and his parents didn't have nothing. So he raised himself up out of that through a lot of hardwork and he had money but didn't spend it on much but the nicessities. Well, since I spent most of my time with him I have become like him. I provide for my son and I do get him treats but I don't go crazy. I used to have a nice little bank account and a portfolio of investments. Well, my mom and dad and my little brother as well as my older brother will come and ask me for money and because they are my family I give and give and give. They always tell me that they will pay me back but hardly ever do. My mom just got my WHOLE pay cheque 3 weeks ago because she needed to get her car out of the shop. I had to slide all of my bills back in order to give her the money which meant that my companies were calling me asking me where their money was so I had to incur late charges on my bills because I helped my mom out. What burns me is that a few days after she "borrowed" the money she brough supper home from a restaurant for the family. I keep telling myself that I am such a dumdum to let them keep taking all of my money and leaving me counting my nickels and dimes but everytime they ask I give. They are my family. As for your situation, do they buy your children anything (if you have children) like for birthdays or christmas? It is sad that they don't even call to say "hey! We got the presents, thank you! that was such a nice suprise!" Maybe they think that you are sending gifts because you are trying to show them that you have money and can do this stuff and they can't, so maybe they think you are being snobby about it? I don't know.