Gransnet forums

AIBU

Equal treatment at different ages.

(56 Posts)
Valeriekent Tue 07-Nov-23 12:47:53

So I think I am writing this as I would like opinions. My son and DIL are set on on treating the GC as equals, they are 6 and 10. I do respect this mostly. However the 10 year old has won a competition and I want to congratulate her and give her a small financial reward. I am pretty sure I will get into trouble and the younger one will complain. How best to handle this ?

V3ra Tue 07-Nov-23 12:57:36

Does the 10 year old need a financial reward from you, wasn't there a prize for winning the competition anyway?
I'd just buy her a congratulations card, and if circumstances allow take the 6 year old to help choose it.
Or make a card together for the older sister.
Don't do something that you already think will cause trouble 😕

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 07-Nov-23 12:58:41

I would congratulate her and take both grandchildren out for a little treat. I see that as being fair to both of them. What you propose isn’t, imho.

welbeck Tue 07-Nov-23 13:00:26

do nothing without fully discussing with and getting approval of the parents.
respect their rights and their role.

PamelaJ1 Tue 07-Nov-23 13:00:44

If the 6year old wins a competition at age 10! Or any other age,would he/she be rewarded? If the answer is yes then surely that is equal.
They aren’t equal. One has won a competition and the other hasn’t.
I suppose you’d better check though or you may not be flavour of the month.
I still occasionally mention that my sister got a doll on my birthday (as did I ) because she was too young to understand. I got the message that my birthday wasn’t special.
We are all best of friends now of course!

Alygran Tue 07-Nov-23 13:08:42

Whilst I agree that you should follow the parents’ rules I don’t agree with their rule. Making children always equal can breed resentment later on when life intervenes and one perceives they have less than the other. Learning to celebrate others and enjoying their happiness or achievement is a good life lesson.

greenlady102 Tue 07-Nov-23 13:11:29

just don't do it! A "well done" is enough. why should your wishes override the wishes of her parents?

sodapop Tue 07-Nov-23 13:20:57

Alygran

Whilst I agree that you should follow the parents’ rules I don’t agree with their rule. Making children always equal can breed resentment later on when life intervenes and one perceives they have less than the other. Learning to celebrate others and enjoying their happiness or achievement is a good life lesson.

I agree with Alygran

Shelflife Tue 07-Nov-23 13:38:14

IMO children have to learn that they don't always get the same rewards at the same time. They need to understand that if their sibling has won a competition they should celebrate with them and congratulate them . Their turn will come ! It's life !!

Babyshark Tue 07-Nov-23 13:40:42

I don’t agree with parents rule, but you need to follow it.

midgey Tue 07-Nov-23 13:49:34

I agree with others, six is old enough to understand that something special has happened possibly due to some effort on the other child’s part.

Bella23 Tue 07-Nov-23 14:18:37

sodapop

Alygran

Whilst I agree that you should follow the parents’ rules I don’t agree with their rule. Making children always equal can breed resentment later on when life intervenes and one perceives they have less than the other. Learning to celebrate others and enjoying their happiness or achievement is a good life lesson.

I agree with Alygran

I also agree Alygran, one sibling can't always be treated the same as the other, especially when one becomes a teenager. They have to learn they will get a treat when it is their turn and be pleased for their sibling.

Hithere Tue 07-Nov-23 14:23:35

What welbeck said

SusieB50 Tue 07-Nov-23 14:50:36

I have 4 GC , twins in one family and they and my youngest GC have birthdays within 2 days of each and DiL had one the same time as well . So we always have a joint family get together on one of the days . I always used to get the other GC a little gift as well so she didn’t feel left out . But then I realised she was the lucky one as she always had a party just for her . So I don’t do it now . I think congratulations to the GC but don’t make a big thing of it as the little one will be jealous whatever, that’s life !

winterwhite Tue 07-Nov-23 15:09:32

I don’t see how sending a card could offend. Seems that parents haven’t thought this through. Children need encouragement and to feel that their parents are proud of them (elder child) and to learn to be generous-hearted (younger child).

Theexwife Tue 07-Nov-23 15:37:26

If you know there will be trouble then why do it? Anything to do with the children is their parents decision.

maddyone Tue 07-Nov-23 15:45:15

I think you need to follow the parent’s rules, but having said that, I think their rules are completely wrong. Why should a child get a gift when it’s not his/her birthday? What does that teach the child? Life isn’t like that. One child may get more GCSEs, how are the parents going to equalise that? One may become well off in later life. Can the parents equalise that?
No, you need to follow their rules, but you obviously realise that life isn’t like that and they’re setting their children up to have unrealistic expectations of later life.

Baggs Tue 07-Nov-23 16:02:15

Children of disparate ages do not need equal treatment but equivalent treatment according to their age differences.

If the older child has won a competition, isn't winning it enough of a 'reward'? The younger child's chance to do something equivalent and appropriate will come in due course.

Why make a problem where there isn't one?

I echo those saying in effect "Stand Well Back" and do nothing.

M0nica Tue 07-Nov-23 16:03:43

When I read the OP I thought it was about treating a boy and a girl equally.

I am in absolute agreement about doing what the parents want, but I was just wondering how far this goes. Do they both get equal quantities of presnets on both birthdays.

However, there could be away round this, could you take both children out for a meal to celebrate the older girl's winning the competition? It would be clear that the treat was to celebrate the 10 year olds success, but he children would benefit equally.

It doesn't have to be a big deal, MacDonalds or Burger King, but you would be treating both children equally.

Like others I think it is a ridiculous rule and fraught with problems in both the long term and the short term.

littleflo Tue 07-Nov-23 21:21:57

Hopefully the child is feeling happy and proud to have won the competition. Why spoil such a nice moment in their life by possibly setting the younger sibling against them.

Allow the parents to know is best for their own family. This disregard for their wishes may cause problems for you as well as them.

It is not enough to ‘respect their parenting mostly’ you should respect it totally.

M0nica Wed 08-Nov-23 06:51:27

littleflo what if the parenting is damaging the child? I would stick to 'respecting their parenting mostly'

Parsley3 Wed 08-Nov-23 11:25:22

Why do you need to give the competition winner anything but a big hug and hearty congratulations? Telling her how pleased you are with her win should be enough. Encourage the younger one to congratulate her too.

M0nica Wed 08-Nov-23 16:29:07

You do not need to give anything, but it is a nice thing to do. My grandmother gave me a small bracelet when I passed my Grade 2 piano music. I treasured it, until it was stolen in a break-in.

icanhandthemback Fri 10-Nov-23 11:16:43

I'd probably ask the parents first. I got into trouble because I took my grandaughter out for an ice-cream when I took her to an appointment the parents couldn't make. I was told categorically that I must bring something back for the 4 year old because otherwise it isn't fair. I wasn't best pleased because if I was in a similar position with the youngest, I would treat her at that time without expecting to treat the older girl. It isn't just that I think the rule is wrong, I'm not made of money and I give when I can afford rather than because I am told to. Needless to say, I didn't argue because it really isn't worth the risk.

nipsmum Fri 10-Nov-23 11:28:35

I think a little treat for both of them. You don't need to have won a competition to be treated by your Gran.