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Estrangement

Torn over Granddaughter

(32 Posts)
Elless Wed 26-Aug-26 14:28:12

Yesterday was my GD's 21st birthday, we are estranged from our Son (her dad). I wished her a happy birthday and told her that we always put money aside at birthdays and Christmas which she would eventually receive one way or another. Am I wrong to feel annoyed that she didn't even acknowledge the text (never mind the money), I feel torn over whether to bother in future - she's an adult and should have said either 'thank you' or 'I'd rather you didn't bother'. Her brother who is 15 always replies when we text him.

Shelflife Wed 26-Aug-26 20:27:25

She can't thank you for a ' gift' she has yet to receive!!! However when you told her she would eventually receive the cash she should have acknowledged your communication.

BlueBelle Wed 26-Aug-26 19:53:58

Well buying presents is fine while they are younger but over 20 and it’s rare that you ll be able to, especially if it’s clothes, shoes, make up stuff, etc etc that they want, and even more if they live away and you don’t know their tastes

Grammaretto Wed 26-Aug-26 19:46:35

I buy my DGC actual gifts. They don't need money and it's impersonal.
I enjoy shopping for them. I don't always see them so I post the parcels. They thank me.
It doesn't go through the parents now they are older. (20, 19, 17, 16, 14, 11 and very nearly 9.)
I haven't fallen out with the parents and sometimes ask the parents for ideas for presents, or sizes etc.

Flippin2 Wed 26-Aug-26 19:38:38

I have no relationship with my three older granddaughters,the eldest one listened to gossip and had a rant at me by text ,she was 21 at the time and called me the c word...I did try with the presents but nothing so now I don't bother, I know what she was told isn't true and I'm refusing to chase after them, sometimes you have to think of yourself

Milk78 Wed 26-Aug-26 19:18:45

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BlueBelle Wed 26-Aug-26 19:09:08

I m with others on this My grandchildren are all in their 20 s I either send them a present, if I know what they want, or put money in their currant account for them to spend as they wish.
I always get a thank you although the eldest one is the tardiest at messaging me, the others do it instantly.
They won’t get a lot when I die there are seven of them but they are all personally named in my will for a small amount each so they ll know I loved them and remembered each one of them

LOUISA1523 Wed 26-Aug-26 18:58:24

She can't really thank you for something she hadn't received

MapleLane Wed 26-Aug-26 18:15:56

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eazybee Wed 26-Aug-26 18:07:41

I don't understand why you give your grandchildren gifts they don't receive. A 21st birthday is usually the time when money in savings accounts usually becomes the property of the recipient.
I would text her in a few days; ask her to respond one way or the other: if she continues to ignore you stop sending her money, close the account, inform her and do with it what you will.

fancyflowers Wed 26-Aug-26 17:27:32

I don't know why you expect her to say thank you for a monetary gift that she hasn't even got.

Lathyrus3 Wed 26-Aug-26 17:18:45

When will you give them the money? Do you mean theyll get it when you die on too of the money in the will?

Its a long time to wait for your birthday money😬

Elless Wed 26-Aug-26 17:08:37

Her father won't have said anything to her, he has no issue with me just my husband but has chosen to estrange both of us. I thought putting the money in an account would be better in the long term rather than smaller amounts at various times of the year. We have left each GC a lump sum in our will and this will be given on top. Our other GC all have Premium Bond accounts and we buy bonds for them. They are overloaded with presents at birthdays and Christmas but we still get them a small gift.

Jaxjacky Wed 26-Aug-26 16:32:22

Maybe she’s changed her number.

stillawipp Wed 26-Aug-26 16:27:42

Wow, I'm amazed at the number of people who expect her, at only 21, to be able to be completely objective about her father's situation with her grandmother. 21 is nothing!! Poor young woman...she didn't ask for this gift & hasn't actually taken it anyway!!
And maybe she feels it would be disloyal to him to do so, & is now caught in the middle not knowing what to do . It was only yesterday that you texted her to tell her - give her a chance!!

welbeck Wed 26-Aug-26 16:19:36

It does sound manipulative to me.
I will give you money so you ought to be grateful.
Nope.

Astitchintime Wed 26-Aug-26 16:17:29

Personally, now she has reached 21 I wouldn’t be offering to put aside any more money on birthdays. In her defence, she may not have had an opportunity to respond to your message so give her a little time to do so.
She is an adult and should be able to form her own opinion about family relationships without the influence of her father but none of us know what goes on behind closed doors. Surely she will know that you love her regardless.

welbeck Wed 26-Aug-26 16:10:37

Maybe she feels you are trying g to buy her interest and contact.
And she is not playing ball.
Maybe she agrees with supports her father in his dealings with you.

Smileless2012 Wed 26-Aug-26 15:32:30

That's a good point Lathyrus and if her lack of gratitude really is an issue, when passing the money onto her you could also say you're doing so because now she's 21 you wont be putting in any more.

Lathyrus3 Wed 26-Aug-26 15:26:46

If shes 21 isn't that an appropriate time to be giving her whatever you have put aside for her.

I can see why you would put it aside whilst her parents were in control but shes been an adult for three years now.

Maybe she’s not convinced the about the promise of money rather than the reality?

Smileless2012 Wed 26-Aug-26 15:21:48

I agree pably.

Cossy Wed 26-Aug-26 15:21:11

Elless

She hasn't actually got the money, we have two accounts that we put money into each birthday and Christmas ( she isn't desperate for it - her parents are taking her to New York as one of her gifts, I've never been able to compete with the presents they both receive) I have always sent Easter gifts to their house for them both which, again, she has never thanked us for but her brother has but they have moved house at the beginning of this year and we don't have their address.

How to you now make contact? WhatsApp?

Why have you not given her the money? She is now 21.

Do you not actually have proper contact with them?

What a horrible situation.

pably15 Wed 26-Aug-26 15:15:38

No matter what she's been told about you , it's only good manners to thank you for a gift

Elless Wed 26-Aug-26 15:12:55

She hasn't actually got the money, we have two accounts that we put money into each birthday and Christmas ( she isn't desperate for it - her parents are taking her to New York as one of her gifts, I've never been able to compete with the presents they both receive) I have always sent Easter gifts to their house for them both which, again, she has never thanked us for but her brother has but they have moved house at the beginning of this year and we don't have their address.

Doodledog Wed 26-Aug-26 15:07:23

If you are giving in order to get 'thank you' messages then maybe stop doing so if it's a 'bother'?

If you just want your granddaughter to benefit from your generosity, then carry on, and if the relationship with your son is ever repaired she will know you were always there for her.

She must be in a difficult position, and we can't possibly know what has happened between the various parties, so it's impossible to advise.

NotSpaghetti Wed 26-Aug-26 15:03:56

Does she actually have access to the money or is it still basically in your control?