Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

My very annoying mil keeps saying that Santa came to her house for DD. We are going there later to open gifts. Dd is only 6 months, but I want to nip this NOW so I don't have to explain to DD in years to come why Santa left some of her presents at MILs house or why he doesn't leave presents at any of her other grandparents houses...I want to teach her that Santa only leaves presents at our house for her!

DH is zero help bc he just likes to placate his mom or ignore her...

Please help!

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

say exactly that.... your child will ask why santa comes to MIL's but not to your parents house, not to your siblings house etc.....(this sounds great btw because ds is 2 1/2 and IL's were teling him santa left gifts - then they are saying out in the open - "santa aka grandma and grandpa".... they at least have a stocking with his name on it which could help explain why he left it there, but we don't want the confusion growing up).

and say wouldn't she rather dd play with gifts durring the year knowing they are from her

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I also glad you posted this. I had the same issue yesterday with my ILs about this! Needless to say the discussion ended abruptly before any of us lost our temper....I.e. me!

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Honestly my mom and mil said the same thing and it doesn't bother me at all. Growing up, my parents used to sign all their gifts to: person and from: and left it blank as if it was from Santa. Mil used to do to: person from: Santa even though we are all grown. I guess I see it as harmless.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I see it as harmless too. Maybe Santa can visit everyone's houses each year so it's not just your MIL's house? (Unless it's because of religious reasons, then it wouldn't make sense.)

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Many generous family members told DS Santa had left something for him at their house. He was thrilled. Your iinlaws just want to participate in the Santa fun!

Message edited 12/26/2011 4:37:45 PM.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Thanks for all the responses. I will just be honest (but nice) with her about it. I feel that as the parents DH & I get to play Santa...our parents got to do it for us...I think it gets confusing if Santa starts leaving gifts at some houses & not others and I'm not going to tell my parents or FiL that they have to say their presents are from Santa too...

If you knew my MIL you would understand why this annoys me already! Everything is always about her...

Wish me luck! :)

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

that would aggravate me.

I hate when Grandparents try to "take over"....whether it's the situation u outlined or something else, like wanting to pick out the "baby going home outfit" or picking out and buying the "baby's first xmas" ornamnent................ they HAD their parenting time. they got to do all the fun stuff before......now let the parents have their fun with their own kids.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Message edited 12/26/2011 6:06:12 PM.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Are there are bigger issues here than just what you are posting about? Otherwise it will be a long road ahead of you if you get upset about something like this.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Personally I think this is one of those things you need to just suck it up for one day a year. I mean, really? Kids will believe ANYTHING you tell them because they are children. There won't be a need to *explain* why....... it will just be accepted by them because you told them.

It's nice that your MIL is excited about Christmas with her grandbaby. To say anything makes you seem like a nitpicking and petty person. I'm NOT saying you are petty, just that's how I perceive it.

There are MUCH bigger things to get up in arms about with ones inlaws I feel. This will likely only cause tension.

Message edited 12/26/2011 10:08:44 PM.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

If there are bigger issues then I totally get it and I can understand being annoyed at grandparents trying to "take over". That said, growing up Santa used to bring gifts to one grandma's house and not the other's. I did ask why (I don't even remember the reason I was given) but while I did find it a bit odd I didn't really question it too much. I was a big believer in Santa and this oddity didn't make me question if he was real or not.

Message edited 12/26/2011 7:35:48 PM.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I can see your point. I never remember believing in santa clause, mostly, b/c my family celebrated on xmas eve an my two neighbors got their gifts on xmas day. it just didn't make sense to me.

my mom started with the santa on xmas eve and when DS was 5 and started really putting things together I told her we couldn't do eve and would come over day.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

My brother and my SIL do the same thing and I like it! My kids love that Santa leaves them things in multiple places.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Let your MIL have some fun! Your child is six months old! Don't start trouble over something like this!

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I get where you're coming from. My MIL started with that this year and DD will be 6 months soon as well. It bothered me at first, but after thinking about it I decided it's just not worth it. One, DD is too young to know what is going on so it definitely was not worth an argument on DDs first Christmas. Kids really don't care about the who, what, when, where. They don't need the logic behind things. They just want presents! Since this is something that really doesn't harm DD I just let it go.

But I have MANY other issues with my MIL so I know how every little thing, even if it's something that is not meant to be negative, can be an issue.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

My MIL said the same thing.... and when dd was done opening gifts I said "please say thank you to grandma and grandpa for these great gifts".

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I think it's all in how you were brought up. Santa only visited me as a child in my own house. So yes, I would take offense if MIL tried to say presents at her house were from Santa. Luckily, my DH was brought up like me, so I don't have to worry about it! Good luck. Your MIL should ultimately respect your decision since it is your child.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

JMHO I think you are overreacting a bit. I understand that you may have issues with your MIL but Christmas is about the kids and truthfully, I think that as they get older they will love that Santa leaves presents for them everywhere. Why not just embrace it and try to mend the relationship with your MIL rather than make more waves? Tis the season

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I find this to be harmless, my Mom, MIL & DC's great grandma all said the same thing. I never even thought about this being a bad thing.

Santa even comes to my parents house (or whoever is hosting christmas) and hands out additional gifts every year.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

I had a weird issue like this yesterday. Our neighbor came over with a present for DS (he is 4 1/2 years old) and said "Santa dropped off a present at our house for you." He was utterly confused and got a bit perturbed that Santa 'forgot' to give him the gift with the rest of his presents. He asked why he would drop it off at someone else's house.

So I totally say, stop it at this age before it gets to complete confusion in your child's mind.

Re: Need opinion on how to handle my mil telling my DD that Santa came to her house too

To answer your question "What would I do?" Me as the new mom with the 6 month old would have made a big stink about it, probably said something snotty to my husband about it (my husband who would have been fine with it, loves his mom & wants her to participate in the holiday). Then I would have said something to my MIL because my DH would never have said anything. Later DH & I would fight about my being mean to his mom, his mom would be resentful & upset. She'd probably cry. I'd feel bad for 10 seconds & then make myself feel better by ranting to my friends who would convince me I was right.

But knowing what I know now, I'd tread lightly & not make this a death battle. There will be countless other things to be ****** off about in your life. This is something I'd probably let go.

Having been there before, I think this is one of those battles you want to fight but will later look back & think "wow it really wasn't a big deal".