Vent! Easter gift from neighbors

[Mkrop]

I thought you said that the kids exchanged gifts? So then isn't it possible that they picked out gift, not the Mom.

The kids dont drive themselves to the store.

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Oh, careful now! I bet somewhere out there in Cyberland someone is posting a thread right this very minute about their unthoughtful aunt. You should be ashamed! Sorry, couldn't resist a little humor about it.

You obviously have no brain and don't care about him!

That's right! I am a thoughtless twit! Or MAYBE it is payback for the rollerskates his mom sent DD for her 3rd birthday!

 

[va32h]

I chewed gum when I had braces and my ortho knew about it. He advised me to use the gum made for denture wearers. And to brush thoroughly of course.

I seriously doubt the neighbor was rubbing her hands in glee thinking "Muahaha...I will torture this boy with a bag of Easter candy he can't eat!"

Her heart was in the right place. I'd let it go. I'm pretty big on letting things go these days. Too many big problems in life to stew over the small ones.

 

[northcapemaymom]

What's done is done. He can use the stuff he got to exchange for other things. People have enough trouble trying to remember their own families preferences and limitations let alone trying to figure out whose kid is diabetic, gluten-free, corn allergic, lactose intolerant, etc. It's nice that someone thinks of your kids. I'll take the candy if he doesn't want it!

 

[Evil Genius]

Sorry I wouldn't have known that your kid couldn't have gum. I still think it's a nice gesture.

 

[Magickndm]

You still seem to be resentful of the whole thing by implying she didn't put thought into it. Maybe it's time to end the exchanges.

MTE.

 

[lilyv]

The kids dont drive themselves to the store.

Do you think it might be possible to just accept that the neighbor didn't put two and two together, and really just wanted to be kind? Maybe you'd feel better to just leave it at that, realizing there was no intent to be insensitive.
Sending sincere best wishes for spring and Easter, lily

 

[Magickndm]

The kids dont drive themselves to the store.

 

[Mkrop]

It's not a no brainer. You still seem to be resentful of the whole thing by implying she didn't put thought into it. Maybe it's time to end the exchanges.

Umm no not resentful at all. I just couldnt fatmon why she would buy it and I already have said that I think it is a shame bc she spent her hard earned money on something that cant be enjoyed and will most likely get trashed

 

[Doe]

Maybe your neighbor has seen kids with braces chewing gum therefore assuming it's fine to get your child gum.
I have had one daughter go through braces and my son has had braces on for 17 months now and they both chewed/chew gum with their braces without so much as one problem. Come to think of it I'm pretty sure all their friends who've had or have braces I've seen most of them chewing gum so unless you know you're not supposed to chew gum while having braces you, um wouldn't know I guess.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

So OP, what did you give the neighbors kids?

 

[mickeyboat]

Umm no not resentful at all. I just couldnt fatmon why she would buy it and I already have said that I think it is a shame bc she spent her hard earned money on something that cant be enjoyed and will most likely get trashed

That takes us back to differing views on gift-giving and receiving. I give gifts while trying my best to find something someone else would like. I receive gifts knowing that someone tried their best to get something I would like.

As the giver I don't really see it as a I am spending my money on something, and I probably should buy a gift card to make sure my offering is not sold at a yard sale. As the receiver I would be appreciative even if the gift did not suit my tastes.

Chalk it up to an honest mistake.

Denae

 

[minniecarousel]

hmmmm....seems like it would be wise for you to keep a small collection of stuff you can swap with your son for such occasions. (like goody bags from birthday parties - even next Halloween!)

 

[mdrob214]

Really? I guess I thought that gun being a no-no everyone knew. I mean they had that back in the dark ages when I got braces. Now some of the stuff on the list had me blown away, like Doritos. But I thought eveyone knew about gum.

Not to cause contorversy, but my DD has braces and is allowed gum. She can have either Extra or Freedent as neither is supposed to stick to dental work. Ortho authorized this. He did say no chewy candy, but DD has been known to suck on jelly beans and skittles and has survived. She's also eaten popcorn a time or two when she wasn't supposed to. I know I did the same thing so I guess I didn't worry about it too much. As a matter of fact my ortho (25 years ago) told me to chew gum the day I got the braces tightened as it make it hurt less. I don't know the logic behind it, but it worked. On the plus side, after over 2 years with braces, she is due to get them off in 2 weeks! (And no, it didn't take that long because she chewed gum but because she had a really messed-up mouth )

 

[MoniqueU]

My son has braces and I didn't know all that stuff on your list was taboo. I wouldnt be upset with them at all.

 

[Chicago526]

Honestly I wouldn't have put it together either. I live in a strange braces-free bubble. No one in my family had them and none of my friends did either. Now that you say that gum is allowed, it makes sense, but I never would have thought of that on my own. See if someone else would like the gum/candy and chalk it up to your neighbor having a brain fart!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I don't understand how this is vent-worthy. I think it's nice that you guys exchange gifts! Your sons braces probably never crossed her mind. It's nothing to get frustrated about - it's just candy. I'm sure your son isn't going to be that upset about missing out on a little gum and jelly beans.

My dd has had her braces on for quite some time now - she eats jelly beans and chews gum, and we've never had a problem.

 

[Mkrop]

So OP, what did you give the neighbors kids?

Do you really want to know?

6th grade girl. HS musical hand cream, HS musical lip balm, a Hershey bunny, a Resse egg, a Peep ring type pop, a couple of Easter pencils.

2nd grade boy a weird aerodynamic football thing, pencils, same candy as sister

Girl jumpred up and down over the hand cream and was beggind her mom to bring it on the trip, I jokingly reminded them about the 3 oz liquid rule and mom" said omigosh that is right, put it in your suitcase"

Boy asked mom if he could eat the candy now as he was opening the chocolate bunny and eating it, mom said " save some for the plane"

and "yeah and can you get our mail until next week"

I know they eat chocolate, I have seen them, I know they eat peanut butter, have made them sandwiches and have discussed getting our picky kids trying to eat stuff other than pb for lunch. Have seen them eat lollipops.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

When my neighbor moved in over 5 years ago, she started a cute little exchange each holiday amongst our kids. Small gifts for Christmas, Valentines, and Easter. No big deal.

They are leaving on vacation so she gives me my kids stuff this morning at the bus stop. I will give them thiers when they get off the bus. DS10 has not had a chance to see it yet. I peeked inside the gift bag and saw some gum on top, so then I looked some more and there was a mini football, silly string and more gum and jelly beans.

So you are probably asking what is the issue? Sound nice? It is the thought that counts? EXCEPT DS10 JUST GOT BRACES TWO WEEKS AGO!. They know this, he cant have anything in the bag. Dont most people know that kids with braces cant have gum or chewy stuff . So I qucikly stuck in some M&Ms and other chocolate I had.

They gave the same to DS5 too. Neither of my kids really do gum. That I would not expect her to know but I thought the braces were a dead giveaway.

Oh well anyone want a chicken filled with gumballs


ETA: I am not planning on saying anything to my neighbor. Just wanted to vent!

sounds like in her goody bags for the kids, she just got the same candies for everyone. It's just candy. Many kids have had braces and not everyone was given a "list" of specific foods to avoid. My ortho basically told me not to eat apples unless they're cut up, and if I wanted gum to have sugarless. (I don't chew gum anyway, braces or not). Lots of other people have no idea at all what having braces entails. I can definitely vouch to not let him have a caramel apple in any way, shape, or form. Took several hours to undo that one. But OP, seriously, it's just some candy, and he's 10, he'll get over it - there was other stuff in the package that he would like. Just because you put a lot of thought into all aspects of presents, which I am sure is appreciated by the receiver, it doesn't mean everyone else does. And who's to say she didn't... sounds like she was just trying to be "fair" and give everyone the same candy. A gift is a gift, doesn't mean you have to like it.

The chicken with gumballs is hilarious! I'd bet your son would enjoy just playing with that one. Is there something else that could fit in it, if you want him to be able to eat the um, "prizes"... haha.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

The thought never crossed my mind that kids with braces can't have gum, so i would have easily made the same mistake. I'd just thank her for the gift and move on. It was very nice of her to think of your kids.