Parent Wants to Regift Kids Their Old iPads

Author image for mattstaff
mattstaff
Nov 29, 2019 2:00 PM EST

This parent asked the people of Reddit whether or not they were being a jerk for regifting the iPads to their kids, after having already taken them away. The consensus on this one is pretty divided. Some people think it's a bad idea, and a cheap way to get out of gift-giving. While others think it's totally fine, and that the kids will be absolutely stoked to get their iPads back. 

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  • 01
    Text - r/AmltheAsshole JOIN u/NinjaMegan 10h S 1 AITA for regifting my kids their own tablets for Christmas? My kids, 6&7, each had an iPad mini. Over the summer they were having a rough time, constantly fighting with each other and just being brats in general. I lost it one day and took their iPads away, saying they were being sold, never to be seen again. Tears were shed. The iPads were cleaned up, put back into their original boxes, accessories packed away, ready for sale...but I couldn't do
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 02
    Text - hmm_yes_ 10h NAH-the children are 6 and 7. They will be ecstatic to have their tablets back! You could leave a note from Santa (if you celebrate that way) explaining why their good behavior has earned their toys back. I feel like an explanation in some way is necessary here, especially because they earned it.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 03
    Text - aspirationalcornhusk 10h NAH (edited from N T A) per se, but couldn't you just give them back for Christmas, specify that they're getting them back because you're proud of them for being good, and then spend the money you were going to spend on new cases on small extra gift?
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 04
    Text - greendeformedcubepig 10h S 11 Awards Altough im only 15 i would say that that is fair, they lost their ipad for a reason. So giving it back cleaned and with some accessories for christmas wouldn't be a dumb thing, i think it would also teach them a lesson or something. (Again im just 15, you should probably listen to someone else who is an actual adult) NAH Edit: i wanna thank everyone for such great replies! And especially thanks to those telling that my opinion still matters even though
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 05
    Text - pottersquash 10h Commander in Cheeks [273] NAH. HOWEVER! Consider that if your kids behavior changed once they were removed, why reintroduce them? Perhaps sell them and find a new more cost effective and more enriching gift. Apple still sells the mini at like 400 bucks, a used one will easily fetch 200 and if its in as good condition you may have $600 bucks to play with. Getting each kid a $100 dollar gift would leave $400 for family budget.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 06
    Text - pranayama_yogi 8h YTA You've already gifted them to your kids. If they were taken away because of their poor behavior, giving them back should be earned by their good behavior, not as a regift. You're sending them mixed signals...is it a gift? Is a gift with conditions? What does a gift really mean if it can be taken back? Do you want them to think it's acceptable to take back gifts they give people in the future? I can feel how upset they'd be if they were all excited about opening a pre
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 07
    Text - rusty0123 10h Colo-rectal Surgeon [34] YTA. But just a little bit. You told your kids the ipads were sold. By giving them back as Christmas presents, you are completely avoiding the responsibility of (1) lying to your kids, and (2) not following through with consequences. So, while your kids might be happy to get them back, in later years they will understand how you deceived them. If you do this, then the only choice you have is to be straightforward and honest with your kids. Return the
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 08
    Text - Stormdanc3 7h YTA if you present these as 'new' tablets. Earning them back is a pretty good gift. Give them each iTunes Store card with $15 on it and a case if you like, but don't try and pass them off new.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 09
    Text - xanneonomousx 10h NTA if you just give them back without resetting them. In my entire life, my parents could never afford such expensive gifts like iPods. We were given books, chocolates, and a clothing item. Christmas shouldn't be about money spent, it should be about time spent with those you love. Don't lie to your kids, just be honest, and have a good day together.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 10
    Text - FU 7h YTA don't mix Christmas with punishment. If they've been good then give them back.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 11
    Text - NewVerses 7h Partassipant [2] YTA for how you handled this entire situation, and for wanting to regift them their own things instead of making it clear they are a reward for good behavior. That $800 of unused electronics gathering dust while money is tight baffles me a bit. You can always sell the iPads, get them far more affordable tablets that will do the same thing (while making it clear that they earned them) and use the remainder of the money to get them an actual Christmas present.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 12
    Text - extra_username 9h YTA. First off, they're way too young for iPads in the first place. There are plenty of kid-friendly tablets out there that won't give them complete access to the entire internet. Second, if they earned something, tell them they earned it.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 13
    Text - catlynfour 10h Partassipant [1] Maybe this is a weird response idk but I think NTA. maybe get them some small toys along with it? idk i was 7 a long time ago but i could always go for a new barbie.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 14
    Text - kitkat_patty_wack I think YTA. Idk why you didnt just let them earn it back. Giving it as a present is just kind of feels wrong. Dont get me wrong, I completely understand being short on money for Christmas. My parents have 5 kids, they did many "dollar store Christmases" growing up and each on felt so so wonderful. They dont need "expensive" gifts for it to feel like a real christmas. This year we are real strapped for cash because of our third being born prematurely. My husband is actua
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 15
    Text - NinjaVanLife YTA that's worst than regifting.
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 16
    Text - gideon513 6h YTA not for the gifting strategy, but for lying that they are new
    via u/NinjaMegan
  • 17
    Text - Blackstar1401 8h Asshole Aficionado [19] NTA I read this awesome article a while back where the parents were tight on money one year because the dad was laid off. Santa had a few gifts under the tree and then a scavenger hunt that leads them through a day worth of activities. Like making cookies, playing a board game, watching a Christmas movie, etc. Each step had a note from Santa and instructions. Iike pop the popcorn and watch a Christmas Movie. The next year when money was better the
    via u/NinjaMegan

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