"Sharing" a toy for christmas/birthdays

Is this an inevitable part of having twins, or can I argue against it?! :lol:

Mother in law informed me today she's getting a particular toy for the twins for christmas, for them to share! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Granted there's some things they are going to share (we're planning to get them an activity table to share), but I don't want them to have to share everything! They are two individual peeps, if they were just normal siblings they wouldn't have to share all the time!

My MIL is pretty cheap and I wonder if part of it is her thinking "good I only have to buy one gift!!". I hope this doesn't continue every year!!

 

We use the term "taking turns." For some reason it is said to be a better term. My twins would have the exact same toy, but still want the same one. My ds, if he had something that dd wanted, he'd go and find the exact same thing to give to her, but she would only want the one he originally had. It is good practice, but I can definitely see your point. Hopefully they get other stuff that is individual.

 

Well I'd say it depends on the gift really, and at this age I don't think it's a big deal. Heck my mom had twins and she still brought one toy when she come to visit! When they're 2 or older and have a concept of what's theirs, you might have to talk to her though.

 

:good: I agree, it does depend on what the gift is. My mom has bought them a combined "bigger" gift but she also gets them each something individually. I think if she didn't do that part I would say something to her. ardon:

 

I agree that it depends on what the gift is as well. Last Christmas/birthday the twins received "big" gifts to share and smaller gifts for each of them (from my parents and DH & I) They were still into each other's toys. I hope it does not continue year after year as well. I would definitely say something if it does continue when they are older.

 

I agree with pp's. For big things-my boys will share them. We are hoping to get them a playhouse for outdoors for their bday and a kitchen set for Christmas. Those are the two main items from dh and I. Most other things I would hope they don't have to share. I treat them as individuals, I would hope others would too.

 

My MIL did the same thing last year. Granted, they were 8 months old but they should be treated as individuals. Just to make matters worse, she always spends the same amount on everyone so that things are equal. Well my oldest DD got a certain amount of toys, my niece got the same amount, and the twins SHARED that same amount. Yeah that's not happening this year. I was totally peeved about it and think you have every right to be upset about that. If she can't spend more money that is fine. But she needs to equally distribute that amount between everyone that has their own name. My twins don't share a name and shouldn't be expected to share gifts. Now do they share toys, absolutely. But sharing gifts is different.

 

Oh I totally figure they are going to have to share some big things. We have one swingset, one pool, one climber, one wagon, one kitchen set, one art easel...etc. I just don't want them to have to share everything

For christmas last year she got my oldest ds (who was nearly 7 at the time) a small remote control vehicle, the kind that's made for toddlers that goes backwards automatically and you push one button to go forward. For dd (who was 2.5) she got a play cell phone. That was it. Like I said I wasn't sure if it was her being cheap or what