MIL spoiling teen—wwyd?

[Anonymous]

Let it go. Let him wear it and don’t say anything to MIL. Try to see the nice side of this situation.

[Anonymous]

Return it? That's very rude, OP.
If she can afford it and she told him "pick anything you like", this is not your son's fault.

However, you should reiterate to him that a lot of people cannot afford such things, and that he has to be very sensitive to other people's means when he's buying things in a group. At 14, he should start to be aware of this when he's out and about with friends and relatives, and in a little while, coworkers and roommates.

[Anonymous]

Where is DH in all of this? It's his mother, what is his take on the gift and how his mother is with these things?

Personally I'd prefer if Grandma wants to give my kid an $800 gift, it would be a much less expensive item and put the balance in a college savings plan. And I'd approach *my* mother if she did anything like this, but leave it up to DH to deal with his mother.

[Anonymous]

You lose me at a teen boy wanting a jacket. Maybe you don’t live in DMV…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a birthday gift from Grandma. Get over yourself.

This

My son was visiting grandparents and they bought him about $2500 in new golf gear. Their money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a $800 jacket a 14 year old boy would even want? My son is this age and he thinks of Patagonia as fancy. Like Moncler or something?

My boys would both love a Canada Goose puffer—that’s about $800.

I thought those were for girls. Like Uggs.

No it is a functional outdoor jacket that is a few levels of warmth above what anyone in this region will ever need.

[Anonymous]

Don’t be the nasty mom! Let him keep it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL took my son shopping to buy him a birthday gift. He is turning 14. She bought him a designer jacket that cost $800 (on sale).
I saw the present once she had dropped him off. Now, my MIL can afford spending this type of money and enjoys it, and my son is unfortunately in a phase where he is being influenced by brand names and wants to look cool (this may partly be because my husband has expensive taste in clothing as well, but he works very hard to afford his lifestyle). I feel this is too much to spend on a bday present, and I do not want MIL setting this precedent. And I am mortified that my son asked her to get him such an expensive item and then accepted it. My initial reaction was “no, we are returning it.” What would you all do?
What makes this extra annoying is that my MIL was just complaining to me that she thinks my older daughter (17) is spoiled and does not appreciate the value of money 🤦‍♀️

Your son has a father with expensive taste in clothes. This is being modeled in your home. Same with your daughter. Think about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL took my son shopping to buy him a birthday gift. He is turning 14. She bought him a designer jacket that cost $800 (on sale).
I saw the present once she had dropped him off. Now, my MIL can afford spending this type of money and enjoys it, and my son is unfortunately in a phase where he is being influenced by brand names and wants to look cool (this may partly be because my husband has expensive taste in clothing as well, but he works very hard to afford his lifestyle). I feel this is too much to spend on a bday present, and I do not want MIL setting this precedent. And I am mortified that my son asked her to get him such an expensive item and then accepted it. My initial reaction was “no, we are returning it.” What would you all do?
What makes this extra annoying is that my MIL was just complaining to me that she thinks my older daughter (17) is spoiled and does not appreciate the value of money 🤦‍♀️

Your son has a father with expensive taste in clothes. This is being modeled in your home. Same with your daughter. Think about this.

+1 the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a $800 jacket a 14 year old boy would even want? My son is this age and he thinks of Patagonia as fancy. Like Moncler or something?

My boys would both love a Canada Goose puffer—that’s about $800.

Op’s son:

https://youtu.be/dRjDKFABpfE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let him be! Grandma can afford it and wanted to get him something he would truly love. And it was on sale. Back off and let him enjoy yet. You should let him know that if it gets damaged/lost/stolen you will not be buying another $800 coat, so he needs to take care of it.

This. Team MIL