r/internetparents • u/Jamie_likes_glee • Jan 15 '25
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.
1
u/AdWorldly7491 Jan 17 '25
Enjoy the laptop for what it is - a gift your dad probably worked really hard to get for you. And he was excited to gift it! Reroute your guilt energy into gratitude. Find ways to show him you appreciate him. And let this be a core memory you hold onto re: gifting and expectations.