When my son was 4, a friend was visiting and gave him a gift that was a duplicate of something he already had. He was unappreciative and said that he already had this toy. He said that he was more interested in another type of toy more. I was so embarrassed and mortified. When we were in private, I told ds how rude he was and how embarrassed I was. I told him how unacceptable his behavior was. From that moment, I never let kids open gifts in front of others because the gift giver can see the reaction of the kids. Since that moment, I have taught kids to never expect gifts, to be polite and always say thank you even if they have the gift or don’t like the gift. They should always show grace. It has been almost ten years and I sometimes mention when DS was so rude and spoiled.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was/Is DS closer to MIL? How did he take the divorce?

Sometimes if you hear hooves, it's horses and not zebras

Oldest child has a different experience with the grands sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

A college degree benefits the recipient directly, not the parents or the grandparents. It is the height of entitlement to assume otherwise.

Wow…guess if I am your kid I know who isn’t helping me…thanks mom.

We paid our kid’s tuition. The point is that the degree doesn’t benefit us, pp.

Anonymous wrote:Was/Is DS closer to MIL? How did he take the divorce?

Sometimes if you hear hooves, it's horses and not zebras

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

A college degree benefits the recipient directly, not the parents or the grandparents. It is the height of entitlement to assume otherwise.

Wow…guess if I am your kid I know who isn’t helping me…thanks mom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

This is kind of right. My grandmother gave us the $10,000 a year for Christmas each year. It’s really a gift to the parents who don’t have to fork over a penny for their kids’ college. It’s a huge gift to them, not to the kid. Of course he should say thank you and be grateful, but it’s not really a gift to the kid.

If the kid applied logic to it he would see it’s a gift to him.

First case: Let’s say the family has a net income of $100,000 per year. With three kids the parents would put $30,000 into accounts. That leaves $70,000 per year income. Sorry kid, you can’t go to the $15,000 camp, it’s too expensive.

Second case: Grandmother gives the kids $30,000 towards college. The family net income is $100,000 per year. They don’t have to worry about setting aside the $30,000. So kid would have the money to go to camp.

In this particular case, your logic is wrong bc OP says they’d reduce retirement saving to pay college.

Was/Is DS closer to MIL? How did he take the divorce?

Anonymous wrote:Beyond telling your son he was rude you should have told him how ashamed you were by his callous ingratitude. You should tell him that someday when he's old enough to have enough life experience and maturity he'll feel shame when he thinks about what he did and you only hope his grandfather will still be alive to offer him the sincere apology he deserves. I don't think you son is as good a person as you assume.

You have no idea what he is like from one moody teen reaction. Let's judge you from your worst moments. Op clearly found this abhorrent as she posted here for advice having been unprepared for such a reaction from him.

Anonymous wrote:As rude as your ds was (and I am not disputing that part!), I also understand where it might come from: that account is still very abstract to him. It's not a personal gift from grandpa in the "I went and picked out something for you" I actually think that it is a bit weird not to give him a gift since it sounds like your dad is very wealthy. Are they close, emotionally? Do they spend time together? The card probably feels a little sad.

+1. I especially think it's weird if the grandfather didn't do visible Christmas gifts in the years prior to the son learning about the college fund. And no, I don't think anyone is owed a Christmas gift, but I also don't think it's weird for a child to expect one from a grandparent. If he's going to even bother with a card, why not put $10 or $20 in it? Or was there something more sentimental with the card, like a heartfelt, personal note? I'm not saying that would necessarily be meaningful to a teenager either, but I'd at least understand it a bit more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

This is kind of right. My grandmother gave us the $10,000 a year for Christmas each year. It’s really a gift to the parents who don’t have to fork over a penny for their kids’ college. It’s a huge gift to them, not to the kid. Of course he should say thank you and be grateful, but it’s not really a gift to the kid.

If the kid applied logic to it he would see it’s a gift to him.

First case: Let’s say the family has a net income of $100,000 per year. With three kids the parents would put $30,000 into accounts. That leaves $70,000 per year income. Sorry kid, you can’t go to the $15,000 camp, it’s too expensive.

Second case: Grandmother gives the kids $30,000 towards college. The family net income is $100,000 per year. They don’t have to worry about setting aside the $30,000. So kid would have the money to go to camp.

Maybe the kid has no interest in going to a $15,000 camp? Perhaps if you said here is $15,000 that we set up in an investment account in your name funded by FIL.

Why be circuitous?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

A college degree benefits the recipient directly, not the parents or the grandparents. It is the height of entitlement to assume otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

This is kind of right. My grandmother gave us the $10,000 a year for Christmas each year. It’s really a gift to the parents who don’t have to fork over a penny for their kids’ college. It’s a huge gift to them, not to the kid. Of course he should say thank you and be grateful, but it’s not really a gift to the kid.

If the kid applied logic to it he would see it’s a gift to him.

First case: Let’s say the family has a net income of $100,000 per year. With three kids the parents would put $30,000 into accounts. That leaves $70,000 per year income. Sorry kid, you can’t go to the $15,000 camp, it’s too expensive.

Second case: Grandmother gives the kids $30,000 towards college. The family net income is $100,000 per year. They don’t have to worry about setting aside the $30,000. So kid would have the money to go to camp.

Beyond telling your son he was rude you should have told him how ashamed you were by his callous ingratitude. You should tell him that someday when he's old enough to have enough life experience and maturity he'll feel shame when he thinks about what he did and you only hope his grandfather will still be alive to offer him the sincere apology he deserves. I don't think you son is as good a person as you assume.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

This is kind of right. My grandmother gave us the $10,000 a year for Christmas each year. It’s really a gift to the parents who don’t have to fork over a penny for their kids’ college. It’s a huge gift to them, not to the kid. Of course he should say thank you and be grateful, but it’s not really a gift to the kid.

I disagree, parents paying for college is not a right or necessity. If they’re willing to do so, that’s awesome. But it’s (today at least) not at all the norm. You either earn merit aid, get scholarships, or take out loans. That is the norm.

However if the kid knows that either Grandpa is going to pay, or Mom and Dad will… then yeah. I can actually understand even moreso how that logic of “this is a gift to my parents” would be rational for the kid to think.

DCUM is not the place to make this argument. OP should have posted on Reddit or some other forum.

The DCUM demographic is overwhelmingly full pay for their kids’ college.

You are correct in general…but OP locked the wrong forum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why everyone is giving mom & dad a pass.

The 529 contribution is a gift to THEM!

They are angry because they think FIL will stop giving THEM money.

The parents have apparently made it clear to the kid over-and-over that FIL gives THEM $$$s every year that goes into a college account. Why have they mentioned this? Because they are so fearful the money train will end.

Kid was rude, OP said he apologized already. The only reason OP is making this such a huge deal is because of the $$$s.

I disagree in this case. A 529 is a gift to the son and the siblings, not just to the parents. Money is fungible and it allows the whole family to use their resources efficiently to meet needs and wants. OP’s son is obviously benefitting from his parent’s financial resources. If the kids were living a frugal life and OP and her husband were keeping their own money for themselves, I’d feel differently. Now $35k in 529’s can be transferred to a Roth IRA. So the son will benefit from his grandfather’s gift regardless if he attends college.

I get that…but it’s freeing up a ton of money the parents can now use for their own savings and retirement.

The vast majority is indirectly going to them…if the FIL wasn’t contributing, they would be on the hook.

This exactly! OP even said the college $ would have had to come from their retirement.

So, basically, the kid was getting college either way. Under the OP’s way, grandpa’s gift is going straight into her pocket and the kid has to be grateful.

This is kind of right. My grandmother gave us the $10,000 a year for Christmas each year. It’s really a gift to the parents who don’t have to fork over a penny for their kids’ college. It’s a huge gift to them, not to the kid. Of course he should say thank you and be grateful, but it’s not really a gift to the kid.

I disagree, parents paying for college is not a right or necessity. If they’re willing to do so, that’s awesome. But it’s (today at least) not at all the norm. You either earn merit aid, get scholarships, or take out loans. That is the norm.

However if the kid knows that either Grandpa is going to pay, or Mom and Dad will… then yeah. I can actually understand even moreso how that logic of “this is a gift to my parents” would be rational for the kid to think.