single parents / divorced parents gift giving to the ex ???
By doulaworks
@doulaworks (1079)
United States
December 22, 2008 6:48pm CST
Being the holiday I have a friend going through a divorce, she has two young children (7 & 8 years old) she asked me if she should buy a christmas gift from the children for there dad. I say No, he hasnt paid a dollar in child suport, he has drug this divorce out for over a year and he makes way more than she does, yet he still cannot see his way to suport his kids. The kids have not asked to buy dad a gift. I told her if they do ask about giving dad a gift, have them make him somthing insteaed. She said she wants to do the right thing for her children, teaching them about giving. I still say not so much on the buy, but ok, if the kids make something for dad (who they see seldom as he has to have supervised visits and he dosnet bother often). any thought or expierence to share?
2 responses
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
23 Dec 08
My dad and my mom have been divorced for over ten years. It was painful when i was younger but i understand why now. Anyways my dad got my mom something this year. He didn't have to but he wanted to.
1 person likes this
@doulaworks (1079)
• United States
23 Dec 08
That is cool, I know folks who are divorced that are freinds still and get along better than ever, I think for some time heals and they can get past what eve it was tht they couldnt while married. Thanks for your reply!
@mzplased (255)
• United States
23 Dec 08
I have to agree on the gift making. Dad should be forgotten altogether at Christmas, for the girls sake. Leave the choice up to them. I was divoriced once myslef and learned real quick to keep the differances between the father and myself away from the kids. I think it helps the kids feel more relxed when they feel there is no ill feelings between mom and dad. By mom suggesting they even think about dad at the holidays is probally a relief to them, they might not want to bring up the idea to her knowing it might upset her. But I think by all means the kids should make dad a gift, those are the best gifts anyway!
1 person likes this
@doulaworks (1079)
• United States
23 Dec 08
thanks, I think I will suggest that to her, she was unsure if she should bring it up unless they asked. Divorce is hard, but I think trying to keep things normal for the kids is best. Thanks for you reply
