Do you think children should be taught to give gifts as well?

Yes. That was a big part of learning to share and have empathy for your family members, plus it helped me learn to not be so selfish as an only child.

I agree, and to understand the efforts people put out for you. I kind of want to say something to the kids but…maybe I could just ask what the kids got for them (the parents)? Plant a seed?

@Dutchess_III Just from past posts, I’m not sure they’d appreciate that, but if you do, go for it.

BTW, I will never understand how some parents don’t turn to the grandparents for advice constantly, my grandparents were the loves of my life and helped me soooo much.

Absolutely
Got to give before you get

I know! I’ll start making a point of helping the kids pick out gifts for their parents! That’s the ticket!

My son wouldn’t have a problem with it, but his wife is SO insecure and so paranoid that there is no telling how she might interpret any advice.

Exchanging gifts is a societal norm. Yes, it is the duty of the parents to ensure their children understand what is normal in society. Unless there is some amazing reason to change that in the home, it should be taught.

Yes, I think it’s a social grace that children should be taught!!! I also think it is the parents place to determine what they opt to teach their children. I doubt that any of your children or partners will take that advice to heart. I bet they all consider it as you’re meddling in their business!!! That might be something that YOU choose to teach the grands!!!

Yes. Children should be taught how to give, along with how to be grateful and express thanks for what they receive.

I think children will learn it own their own when there’s custom and situation when gifts are expected, that doesn’t stop parents from trying to teach their kids from early age, though. If your kids don’t know that during other people’s birthday they attend to they’re ‘expected’ to give gifts they’ll learn it by observing how others are reacting by giving gifts, the social mindset of a child is to follow the example as they don’t want to be left off and feel embarrassad for not doing that. I say let their environment teach them.

Gift-giving is one of the most delightful parts of being human, often blessing the giver more than the receiver. To show a child to give is, then, to bless the child for life and to bless yourself with the memory of the lesson.

When mine were small, they learned about both giving to those they knew and giving to those in need. While they are not showy with giving to those in need, I happen to see both children doing it, and honestly, it is thrilling to me as their mother. (They are in their forties.) They are imaginative in their giving, so I am often surprised by what they do!

No, they should be taught how to exploit others for their own profit.

Now that’s a brilliant idea, @ragingloli. A smart person would make use of something, preferably something of commensalism nature.

@ragingloli you mean like illegal immigrant children being used to profit the family?

No, like raising them to be good capitalists.

Greed is eternal.

And universal. It crosses all racial, temporal, sexual, and wealth barriers. We are all greedy.

Yes, and they should also be taught how to write thank you notes.

Agreed.

I think kids who have kind adults around them will naturally pick up on the fun of giving gifts. In my experience, children as young as one will offer “presents” of a favourite stone or half-eaten cookie.

My two youngest grand daughters, cousins, each brought me a special rock (it was chunks of concrete) to “remember them by.” Kids like doing that kind of stuff because it’s fun for them.

We did this at birthday parties, I don’t know if you consider that an exchange? At the birthday parties if we were the hosts we also made up little parting gifts for everyone.

When I was very little I made or bought something for my parents on mom’s/dad’s day, also not an exchange.

For Chanukah the adults bought the kids things. Also, not an exchange.

I didn’t really exchange gifts much until I started dating a Catholic and did Christmas with his family. To me the amount of money didn’t was crazy, and opening the gifts was stressful, so my lack of practice was a detriment in some ways. I did get better at it though. He had a big family.

I don’t see it as a big part of sharing. I always was great at sharing, just not great at formal gift giving. I shared with my sister and friends without reluctance. I asked my mom about it a few years ago actually, it came up when I asked her if my sister and I fought a lot when we were very young, because I didn’t remember fighting a lot.

I think I’m going to make a point of taking them shopping one of these days soon to buy “I love you presents” for each of their siblings and their Mom and Dad. I’d like to hit up a flea market when it’s in town. Do you guys think it’s a good idea?