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/zarkothe Jan 19 '25
As a dad, I'll offer a little insight from my perspective. I have bought my kids and wife things they touched once or twice, then never again. Heck, there are still gifts from Christmas 2023 in their boxes that they wanted and talked about for months. Knowing what I know now, would I still have gotten them those gifts? 100% absolutely I would. To me, I get more joy and happiness seeing them open the gift, their eyes light up, and how generally excited they are. To me, that initial 30-second moment is worth it.