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How would respond to this?

buddhabellybuddhabelly
in Parenting
We are not on speaking terms with dh's family.  (For LOTS of reasons.)  We have been out of town for the holidays and just got home...our front porch had about 6 presents on it for our son and daughter.  Sure enough, they were from them.  What the he**??  They haven't seen our kids for months or called to ask how they were doing...then just leave gifts on our porch?  How would you respond to that? 
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Re: How would respond to this?

  • mason15mason15 member
    You think it was meant to be an apology of sorts?  Maybe they want to make amends and that's the first step.  Even if it wasn't and they're just giving gifts, I'd still have my kids write or color a thank you note.
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  • Disneygeek77Disneygeek77 member

    It depends.  If these people are toxic and abusive and we want nothing to do with them in the future and I thought the gifts were just a manipulative attempt to get us back?  I would tell the kids that Santa or whoever made a mix up and that the presents were for someone else, sorry.

    If I thought there was a chance for reconciliation and a future ?  I would open the gifts and then do as PP mentioned and send a thank you letter. 

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  • veloelleveloelle member
    Tell them who they are from. Write a thank you note. See where it goes, and don't read too much into it.
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  • Rebekah1021Rebekah1021
    Do you ever post something that is normal and not drama? It was Christmas. I am not one to turn down something for my kid. Send a thank you not from them. It was a nice thing to do.
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  • littlemermaidlittlemermaid member
    If I wanted to send a strong statement that "we have moved on and do not want you in our lives", then I would send the gifts back unopened.  If I plan on having a relationship with them then I would have the kids open them and send a thank you note.  The ball is in your court.
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  • shopgirl78shopgirl78 member

    imagelittlemermaid:
    If I wanted to send a strong statement that "we have moved on and do not want you in our lives", then I would send the gifts back unopened.  If I plan on having a relationship with them then I would have the kids open them and send a thank you note.  The ball is in your court.

    +1 


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  • speckledfrogspeckledfrog member

    imageRebekah1021:
    Do you ever post something that is normal and not drama? It was Christmas. I am not one to turn down something for my kid. Send a thank you not from them. It was a nice thing to do.

    I disagree.  Just because it is the holidays doesn't mean that it's a great idea to let toxic people back into your lives.  I have no idea if her ILs are toxic or not, but it certainly sounds like there is a  decent backstory and enough reason to not just open the lines of communication.

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