Whose responsibility is it?

I'm not divorced but I may have an idea for you. First, how old is your daughter? Old enough to do chores around the house to earn allowance? Let her make her own money and let HER do the buying. It is amazing what $5.00 at the Dollar Store can buy. I have did this for years for my kids. Take her to the store but let her do the buying, not you. Same thing with your partner. Take her to the store and let your daughter pick out what she would want to give you. Trust me. It will mean more to you and your ex to have things pick out special by your daughter. Let me know what you think of this idea.

My sister and her ex husband are also divorced. On every fathers day, my sister will take her daughter to go get her father a card. And I'm not sure if he does the same, but I'm sure he does. I think its kind of common sense? Or respectful at least. After all, you guys had the children together. Divorced or not he should offer to take the child to go and get a card.

You're doing the right thing, and you are the better person than he is. I admire you! Because you could put your feelings away and teach your daughter to respect her father. This is a life lesson that your daughter will remember and follow in the future. Nothing is greater than when you put someone first, in this case, you've put your daughter's well being first. Again, you're great!

My situation is a little different. I don't care for my ex at all, there's a good reason we are divorced. He's not a very good father, but the children need to feel that their father is a good dad and that he loves them. He's really a bit too selfish to be able to give them enough love, attention or even material things. He has tried here and there, one birthday or occasion will be a nice gift and another special day forgotten. I don't want my children to be like that so I do remind them of special days and I give them a few dollars to spend at the dollar store and get them to buy him a card. This last father's day, they both got cards and made special gifts for my new husband, their stepdad. Although I was thrilled that they felt to do this spontaneously for him - acceptance is so good for the blended family - I did have to remind them to get something for their real father. I know that it galls you to spend money on him, but it's really for the children's sake that you do it. One day they will be better for it, and that's all that counts. If the children are young, a present they made is enough of a gift for him. If they are older, perhaps assign them tasks to do so they can "earn" the money to spend on a present - you will get some chores done for you and they will be spending their money. It's hard when you have to be nice for the sake of the kids, especially if you don't like your ex at all, but the kids still have a father.