Comments on: For Future Reference

By: Sacha

Sacha — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:05:44 +0000

Isn’t it a mom’s job to teach her sons how to behave? Their wives will thank her one day… I have a house full of men and my husband is pretty good about buying things for me. But I plan to teach my sons that a homemade card is nice, but once they get a little money of their own, buying something thoughtful also means a lot. They need to know women expect them to put more effort into gifts. It will help them one day in the real world:)

By: Cara

Cara — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:06:17 +0000

Absolutely the way to go Mom! I know a guy (ok, he’s my husband) who’d rather go shopping with me, have me pick out something I like, then buy it for me. Blech.

By: EarleyDaysYet

EarleyDaysYet — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:31:10 +0000

Here’s passive aggressive: my parents have been married for 41 years. 3 times a year (Mother’s Day, mum’s birthday, Christmas), my mum opens a wrapped gift with a card that says “to my darling wife from your loving and grateful husband” (or words to that effect). 120 times. Each time, the card is in her handwriting and my dad has no idea what “his” gift is until she opens it. Every time. He wouldn’t have the foggiest idea what to buy her – sometimes, “slightly snarky but direct” is the way to go, unless you plan to buy your own presents for 40 years…

By: Rankinstein

Rankinstein — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:42:31 +0000

Yeah, it is poor taste to ask anyone for gifts, even your own children.
Before anyone who is a parent who goes off and complains about how little their kids buy for them and whines about how much they do and how little they get in return….
It is your primary responsibility in life to do things for your children and if your not okay with that than don’t have kids.
Plain and simple. Period.

By: Raquel

Raquel — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:55:35 +0000

I feel like this belongs on stuffwhitepeoplelike.com

By: Emma Gardener

Emma Gardener — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:27:58 +0000

My opinion? To me it sounds like the Mom and Dad have only sons, and that the sons “forget” things like Father’s Day, Mom’s Birthday etc. I think the Mom is trying to be proactive and not keep it a secret between she and the sons, that she expects them to be fully engaged human beings on holidays. Let’s face it, it feels good to be thought of and remembered. I would bet my next paycheck that this Mom remembers her sons on their birthdays etc… Clear communication and guidance are fantastic….so much better than hurt feelings and resentment after saying NOTHING about wants or needs, hopes and dreams. Hip Hip Hooray for clarity! Now, I really hope these guys pay attention and follow through, it will mean so much.

By: Trixie

Trixie — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:09:00 +0000

BTW, Christie and Kat – I used to give my Dad pictures of what I wanted for my birthday and Christmas, why? Because he’s a boy and if you didn’t spell it out for him, he would beg you for what you would really want and then give you something horrible because you weren’t clear. It was my step-mom that taught me the trick with the pictures!

By: Anjeliki

Anjeliki — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:57:19 +0000

This mom has obviously received one too many bird baths, Jessica Simpson perfumes and flannel PJs. If every person I bought gifts for gave me a guideline like this, I’d be a happy woman.

By: Sha

Sha — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:30:17 +0000

Really, guys? My experience with men is that they’re GRATEFUL when you tell them exactly what you want. Subtle hints when it comes to gift-giving just don’t work! You go momma!

By: mandilyn

mandilyn — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:09:55 +0000

Haha. I think this is hysterical…maybe because the writer sounds like my mom. I think it’s harsh to judge a person you don’t know. My mom grew up in a foster home where she never got any presents for holidays and so she always goes out of her way to gift people things that she knows that they want…and she likes the same in return. And as an unthoughtful and sometimes forgetful daughter, I appreciate direction!

By: sam

sam — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:00:15 +0000

REALLY? you think THIS is greedy? movie tickets? flowers sent to work? all of which can be bought for under $20? i would think that $500 jewelry would be greedy, but not that. get over it, this was funny and the mom sounds cute.

By: fantab

fantab — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:54:34 +0000

Pot calling the kettle, Chrisite. I hate it when people take these notes so personally. The mom was obviously not trying to be greedy, although, considering what mothers do for their children, I cannot say that I would fault her. It seems that she is simply trying to get her boys to ENGAGE in the gift buying experience rather than just pick something up without thought.

By: Christie

Christie — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:06:25 +0000

Passive aggressive, greedy, and tacky. Sorry, mom. Fail.

By: dorys

dorys — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:46:19 +0000

But I’m wondering when Father’s Day is. Where could I go to get that information?

By: cinoda

cinoda — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:21:49 +0000

This is a typical “Mom” thing. If the Mom’s didn’t send this, you can at least bet that they told one of their best friends how they would like to. “L”, you’re correct, it depends on what side of “40″ you’re on.

By: L

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:28:25 +0000

I don’t see this as passive aggressive at all. I see it as straightforward with a little bit of hurt thrown in. Guess it depends on which side of forty-ish you’re on :-))

By: JN

JN — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:52:25 +0000

I think this one belongs on the passive aggressive notes website

By: h

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:15:49 +0000

As you see this was not directed towards any “Smith daughters”…men need direction people!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:28:04 +0000

And FYI Smith Boys, you might want to just go ahead and get your mom some apology flowers now. :)

By: freed

freed — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:05:52 +0000

i don’t think she’s so much asking for gifts as she’s trying to remind her boys that it’s important to be thoughtful. By giving a list, she’s merely taking away the “oh, I just didn’t know what to get you” excuse. Go Mom!!