Mom Considers Giving Her Kids Their Old iPads Back For Christmas, Is She Teaching Her Kids The Right Lesson?

Sometimes, parents have to make tough decisions to get their kids to shape up. One mom had enough of her kids’ constant bickering and took away their iPads, promising they would be sold for good.

But as time passed, she couldn’t bring herself to follow through. Now, with Christmas approaching and money tight, she’s considering regifting the iPads to her kids as “new” devices. The plan is to clear the old ones, buy new cases, and act as though they’re fresh gifts.

The question is, is this clever thinking or dishonest parenting? Should she stick to her decision and find other gifts for her kids, or is regifting their old devices harmless, especially when they’ve been well-behaved and it fits within her budget? Read on to see how this festive dilemma plays out.

A parent regifts their kids’ old iPads for Christmas, having taken them away earlier for misbehavior, but is unsure if it’s wrong to do so

From time to time, we all crave a fresh start after hard times, a simple wish to turn things around and give our loved ones a little happiness. That’s the emotional seed behind OP’s idea: after a rough summer with their kids, they saw their improved behavior and thought, maybe they deserve a second chance.

The old iPads, once taken away in anger, became a symbol not just of discipline, but of loss. Now, with Christmas coming and money tight, the thought of wrapping those same tablets, after a reset, a new case, and calling them “Christmas gifts” feels like a way to restore normalcy, a way to patch things up.

What drives this is honesty about limits: the parent doesn’t have funds for brand‑new devices, but wants to give the kids something. The gesture is born from love, from trying to salvage hope and joy under practical constraints.

The promise: “You earned these back.” The risk: in trying to soften the financial burden while still offering a treat, there’s a chance of emotional cost, trust and clarity might get lost along the way.

Psychological research warns that repeated “white lies” from caregivers, even the well‑intended ones, can affect how children view honesty, trust, and relationships.

A 2013 study on “parenting by lying” found that children whose parents often told small lies grew up with weaker attachment to their parents and, in some cases, more internalized stress and distrust.

That doesn’t automatically mean regifting is a parenting crime. But it illustrates a subtle truth: when the message becomes “We’ll make it look like new” instead of “Here’s something special because you worked hard,” children may internalize the idea that presenting an appearance matters more than being honest.

Over time, small deceptions can chip away at the foundation of trust that relationships are built on, even if the parent’s intention was kindness or love.
Michigan Publishing

In OP’s heart, the wish is noble. They want to reward improvement, offer joy, and make memories, not deception. So perhaps there’s a different path: give back the tablets with truth. Say something simple like: “I’m giving these back to you because you’ve done better, and I’m proud of you,” rather than packaging them as “new.” That honesty preserves respect, acknowledges reality, and still celebrates the kids.

Gifts are rarely just about the item; they’re about feeling seen, valued, loved. Sometimes what matters most isn’t what we give, but how we give it.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

This group emphasized that the kids would be thrilled to get the iPads back, and returning them as a reward for good behavior could be a good lesson

These commenters criticized the OP for the deception involved in telling the kids the iPads were sold and then giving them back as presents

This group pointed out the potential negative effects of returning the iPads as gifts without proper explanation

These users questioned the decision to give such expensive tablets to young children

OP’s situation revolves around how to balance fairness, consistency in discipline, and transparency in her relationship with her children. While some feel regifting the iPads sends the wrong message, others believe that rewarding positive behavior is key to reinforcing the lesson learned.

Should OP stick to her original punishment or turn it into a Christmas gift? What do you think? Should regifting be part of her holiday tradition, or does it undermine the discipline she initially set? Share your thoughts in the comments below.