what can i get for my one year old daughter that will outdo her grandmother who spoils her?

Question

She has everything a baby needs but I want to get her something memorable.

Answer 1

At one year old, she's not really going to remember anything - no matter how large. And "outdoing" her grandmother is rather pointless anyway. Wouldn't it be nicer if you could adopt the attitude that it's nice that her grandmother can do so much for her, and be appreciative of it? No one wins when family members are in such competition with each other, and spoiling a child to an extreme will most likely not result in her turning out the way that you want...

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

First of all, I dont think you should be trying to "outdo" her grandmother. My mom and dad spoil my 18 month old like crazy but I dont mind. It's their way of showing her they love her. And even though grandma spoils her more than I do she still has a stronger bond with me because we spend lots of time together. Just spend time with your baby so she has memories of things you and her did together. Memories are definitely memorable : ) But if you want something that she can actually see and feel and hold, do something that shows you love her. Make a scrapbook, embroider her name into a favorite blanket or toy, or something like that. She wont really understand the value of it now but as she gets older it will become more special to her.

Answer 3

I agree the competition thing sounds pretty unhelpful to all involved. We didn't get much for my daughter on early holidays because she had so much handed down from older cousins plus gifts from family. She doesn't understand gifts much yet.
But I understand the idea of wanting to get something memorable. The main thing is that it will have to be something that will be meaningful for her later when she is more aware.
We gave my daughter a beautiful book for her when she turned one and wrote a note in the cover. Now that she is 4/5 she almost old enough to enjoy the book and I think she will be happy to discover this now 'old' gift.
I've heard of someone making a time capsul to be opened at some date.
You can't outspoil a grandmother and shouldn't really try. But you will surely be more important to baby.

Answer 4

It sounds to me like instead of pouring on the gifts, you need to redefine appropriate gift-giving in your family. While gifts are a pleasant way to demonstrate our love, they can also be easily taken for granted or become an assumed "right." The best things kids need is love, attention and even discipline (teaching is a form of discipline).

Don't assume that I mean that your child is spoiled. But it seems to me that memorable experiences (time spent one on one with them) mean more to kids than "prizes." Spend a whole day together at the zoo or making something from scratch (like a painting where your baby can get all messy in the paints).

My sister has 4 kids. She has to deal with an over enthusiastic grandmother who always brings 4 gifts with her each time she wants to give something to just one child. My sister has had to explain to her mother-in-law that she doesn't want her children to come to "expect" gifts or surprises. Each child has to learn that sometimes good things will only come to one of them and not all - that's just a part of life. (For example, they won't all find girlfriends/boyfriends at the same time.) So they have to learn to share and to be happy for their siblings.

Maybe you should have a similar talk with the grandparents in your family. Surely they didn't spoil you (and your siblings) when you were growing up, so they should be able to appreciate a balanced viewpoint.

Answer 5

Don't try and outdo grandma. You are walking into a trap of teaching her to play you off against each other as she gets old enough to understand. Spend the time together. get photos, do something she wants and join in. You are the primary caregiver and make sure it is clear to both grandma and junior. Grandma cannot give her the consistency and love that you can. Make your rules and make sure they are obeyed by all.

Answer 6

Give your child a scrapbook. Scrapbooks are something that in time she will love. My babies even at a year old liked looking at themselves in our books. And now that my oldest is nine he still loves looking at the pictures and reading about everything that we did together then. He also loves to hear about stories from when he was little so everynight before you go to bed.......write a couple of sentences about something that your child did today that had you laughing or crying so that they can go back and read it all later......this may sound crazy because if you are like me, you knew you would never forget those things......but trust me in time they fade and it is hard to remember exactly what was said and who said it. Good luck and remember being her mommy and loving her is the most important present of all!

Answer 7

Since when did raising a child become a competition,
If you feel the need that you must out do someone film her birthday and show it to her when she is older; but be sure to tell her that you are sharing you memories with her. Let her have some fun put her in the middle of the table and set her cake in front of her (don't lite the candle) and let her do the rest.

Answer 8

i'd say she is spoilt confident and that i wouldnt say that each and all and sundry 6 year olds throw tantrums via that age they're often previous that time. the explanation she is throwing a tantrum is through the fact she isnt getting her own way and he or she expects to flee with it. quite of spending money on toys and video games to entertain her why no longer take her to the park or set up play dates. With the little ones make her sense significant tell her that u will choose her help as a huge sister with changing bathing, feeding etc, get her in contact purely now via letting her help get issues waiting for the little ones arrival and while they arrive dont make her sense skipped over.

Answer 9

Is this a birthday gift? I did something different... I contacted the Cabbage Patch Kids babyland general office and ordered a doll for my twin girls... each doll was made for me (eyes, hair, skin, etc.) Very worthwhile, special and unique.
I had the same problem with both Grandma's - I just asked them to hold back on the toys, etc and if they wanted to do more, I asked them to deposit money into the girls bank accounts for their education.
Good luck - Gramma's can be so bad sometimes!

Answer 10

She's one year old - she's not going to remember it. Why do you feel the need to outdo her grandmother? Grandmothers are supposed to spoil their grandchildren. And parents are supposed to discipline their children. When you become a granny someday you can spoil your own grandkids.