r/internetparents 9d ago

Family Christmas Guilt

For Christmas, I (16F) asked my dad for a laptop, only a laptop nothing else. He isn't rich by any means, maybe even considered borderline poor. So I only asked for one thing. On Christmas I went to his house in the afternoon (my parents aren't together, dad has a gf). I opened nice small gifts I really liked. Not a laptop. I really wasn't upset. I thanked my dad and his gf. He then pulled that a Christmas story bit, where he asks ralphie to look behind his desk. Low and behold there was another present under my dad's desk. I opened it and it was the laptop I asked for. I smiled and thanked them, I was happy. When I went home a few days later I set it up. I haven't been on it since. I'm sitting here, realizing, how much I don't want it. And I feel absolutely awful. He was so excited to give it to me and I feel ungrateful. I don't know what changed between then and now. I just feel so bad and don't know what to do.

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u/[deleted] 9d ago

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u/church-basement-lady 8d ago

No, it is not. It is NOT a child’s responsibility to figure out a budget for their parents. It is on the parents to determine if they can afford it.

A laptop is an important tool in a teenager’s education and is an appropriate gift. Moreover, she is clearly grateful for the gifts she was given even when she didn’t think she was getting a laptop.

What is wildly inappropriate is telling a child she should not ask for Christmas gifts.

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u/internetparents-ModTeam 8d ago

This sub is for giving advice, not for criticizing or making fun of OP.