MIL tells my kids that instead of gifts she will donate to her chairty of choice

[Anonymous]

Maybe you can ask her to donate to kids choice of charities. Then you can work with your kids at picking a cause, looking at legit charities, seeing what they spend their money on (how much goes to actual cause), etc. This could be a great learning opportunity for your kids. Since it is your MIL then I would have your DH ask her. I would have no problem explaining the reasoning to my mom.

[Anonymous]

I know the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington also sells charity gift cards. We did this for a few people one year, and it was a nice way to promote giving back, and yet still feel like we were giving them "something."

Basically, you order a gift card, put however much $$ you want on it, and the recipient gets to choose which DC-area charity receives the money.

[Anonymous]

I read this post a few days ago and yesterday my MIL did the same thing to my children! She donated money to a charity of her choosing in lieu of gifts for her grandchildren.

My kids couldn't care less about the present, they are not entitled, spoiled kids, but I'm just a tad annoyed at the preachy judgementalism. My kids do tons of charity work, they don't need to be taught a lesson on being charitable. If you knew my MIL, you would know that this is her underlying message. She's not being charitable, she's being preachy.

[Anonymous]

if my grand kids didnt write me thank you notes for years of presents i would probably pull this. otherwise, just no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if my grand kids didnt write me thank you notes for years of presents i would probably pull this. otherwise, just no.

I did this to niece, nephew, BIL and BIL's wife. We gave them presents every year for about 7 years , and never an acknowledgement from anyone. Gave gifts to Heifer Project for all one year, and then skipped gifts in the future.