Hellobee Boards

@Adira: I would have his brother give him a small gift to open tonight - we always do sibling gifts

I would have planned to give him a present so he had something to open on his actual birthday... but that being said, now that you've specifically told him he won't be getting one, I wouldn't give him one. In my mind, that just reinforces that having a melt down gets you what you want and I try to be really careful about that. I like the idea of getting him a little something from his brother. It means he gets to open something on his actual birthday, and you don't contradict what you told him the night before.

Yeah nope, no present. I do like the balloon and special dinner idea.

@Adira: well in the future I would not give him a gift early - I'm sure he did not comprehend the fact that he would not get a gift on his birthday.

If you don't want to give a gift from his brother how about a new car for the top of the cupcakes?

I wouldn't give in to my 9yr old but at 5 I think he should get a little something on his actual birthday!

@Adira: I empathize because my kiddos bday is coming up, and we are having his first friend party. He has also started asking “where’s my present” in situations which makes me nervous. But also, he’s only about to turn three and of course loves to get presents! I try to remember that he is allowed to have feelings of disappointment when he realizes / learns he doesn’t always get a present when it occurs to him he might, and that doesn’t make him spoiled- it WILL make him spoiled if I let his feelings sway me to “fix” them by giving him more and more! I’m also taking a cue from a friend who spaced out friend gifts by saying her girls couldn’t open another present until they “wrote” a thank you note for the one they just opened/ played with (they didn’t open gifts at their party). I’m hoping that will encourage gratitude and allow him to enjoy each gift rather than just ripping through them all and wanting more! We will see how that goes....

@Adira: I see. We are not quite at the stage yet where LO expects gifts.

I have no illusions about my son being spoiled, and I am an enabler. I would have said no, and then gone and got something to give to him later.

Honestly, I would get him something small to open on his birthday. That’s pretty hard for a young kid to understand that he got his present early and therefore no present on his actual birthday. And also no presents from friends I also don’t think he sounds spoiled - he sounds like a normal kid!

I wouldn't get him anything, just let him know it's ok to feel disappointed. And maybe ask if he wants to go play with his present that he already got!

I agree with @Mamatimes3:. I think he’s too young to understand and um... I do kinda think it’s mean to say no gifts from friends plus no gifts on his actual birthday. 🤷‍♀️

I was going to suggest you top his cupcake with a new hot wheels car, but I see that you already celebrated, so never mind Hope he had a fun birthday!!