Christmas Dilemma

I really have no idea why part of my post has repeated itself!!

Hello Neeny,

As you are all getting along so well and you are hopeful that your son's relationship will last I would spend the same amount on your son's OH's children as the more you do to make them feel part of the family, the happier everyone will be.

I can't imagine why you would even feel the need to ask such a question!

Your son is on his third family and by all accounts the latest woman and her children are lovely ...... would you really consider spending less on them?

Definitely. If your son has chosen this lady as his partner and it is a stable relationship, then they become part of the family.

Hello, Neeny, I suppose it depends on how much you normally spend on your own grandchildren. We have seven grandchildren so can't really afford to spend more than £40 on each one. If there were 'additions' to the family we would have to cut down on the overall amount we spend.

As you are all getting along so well and you are hopeful that your son's relationship will last I would spend the same amount on your son's OH's children as the more you do to make them feel part of the family, the happier everyone will be.

Yes!! We have sort of step grandsons and treat them exactly the same as the 'real' ones. DS2 treats them as sons so they are our grandsons! Enjoy!!!

I think you must, neeny or they will feel they are only second-class grandchildren. If this relationship is The One for your son, then his partner's children will look on you as grandparents and you cannot treat them differently to the others.

If that is going to be financially difficult, that could be a problem. Will the others notice if their presents are not as expensive as usual to keep the total within reason? Probably not - children are not as worried about cost as about how interesting the present is.

What about other son? Will he and his partner notice? Will they care if they do notice? Can you speak to them about it before you buy? If they get on well with the stepchildren and look on them as more cousins for their own kids, perhaps it will not be the problem you anticipate. They may be including these new additions too.

Oh, I couldn't agree more! Enjoy every minute of your extended family, and yes, treat them all the same. You are now Gran and Papa, after all!

hello and welcome. I've just been shopping for lego for my GS in Australia...
I think once they start to call you gran and papa, then you take the hit. I wish you joy of your step grandkids.