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Woman Is Upset Her Mom Only Bought An Easter Egg For One Of Her Grandchildren, The Internet’s Opinion Is Divided
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Woman Is Upset Her Mom Only Bought An Easter Egg For One Of Her Grandchildren, The Internet’s Opinion Is Divided

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While many see eggs as a strange addition to the religious part of Easter, there is an alleged connection between the empty tomb and a cracked egg. This does mean that chocolate eggs represent us eating the tomb which doesn’t really make any sense. But getting that special chocolate is a highlight for many kids and a cause of drama if they get passed over.

A mother shared her story of learning that grandma had decided that only one grandchild was going to get an easter egg. On the surface, this looks like blatant favoritism, but the two excluded individuals were considerably older. A lively discussion ensued in the comments, as readers debated whether the mom was right to be concerned.
More info: Mumsnet

Kids are particularly sensitive to favoritism in all of its forms and gifts from grandma are no exception

Image credits: EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA (not the actual photo)

A mom asked the internet if they thought it was strange that grandma decided to only buy an easter egg for one grandchild

Image credits: Owlyhedgehog

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Image credits: Polina Tankilevitch (not the actual photo)

Chocolate eggs are just one of the many manifestations of eggs in Easter

While eggs and Easter have a variety of connections, the chocolate egg in particular has royal origins. Some sources indicate that chocolatiers would use emptied eggshells to form egg-shaped treats, which became popular at the Court of Louis XIV (the 14th, for those who struggle with Roman numerals), commonly known as the Sun King. In general, his court set many of the norms and trends in Europe and beyond. It wasn’t a stretch for egg-shaped chocolates to become quickly associated with Easter, as Catholic traditions in a number of countries already had egg-themed elements as part of easter.

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

The original chocolate eggs were mostly slabs of chocolate in an egg shape. It wasn’t until 1873 that manufacturers started to find ways to hollow them out. The Bristol-based company J. S. Fry & Sons developed a method using molds, where each egg consisted of two halves that were combined at the end to create a finished product. The UK’s obsession with chocolate eggs has not ceased since, and the island nation buys around 80 million Easter eggs every year. Seeing as that is 12 million more than the actual population of the UK (68 million), it’s pretty clear that some adults must be eating these eggs as well.

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Favoritism from parental figures tends to hurt everyone involved

Unfortunately, we don’t know the emotions of the two older children mentioned in the story. It doesn’t help that one is already twenty and clearly no longer a child. This could very easily look like a case of favoritism, which creates generally negative feelings among most people. Studies indicate that the favoritism of a parental figure can be disruptive vertically, driving a wedge between child and parent. It can also create issues “horizontally,” as siblings on either side of favoritism report communication issues and resentment. Lastly, there are some weaker indicators that experiencing and benefiting from favoritism can cause self-esteem problems down the line. Unless a person is particularly dense or conceited, they will recognize that they were “the favorite,” and thereby question all their achievements.

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Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

Some comments suggested that OP get eggs for everyone, which she reportedly did. While the grandmother’s decision could be based on favoritism, some also wondered if it was a reflection of rising living costs. Chocolate eggs are a luxury, after all, and a sixteen-year-old and twenty-year-old should be mature enough to understand. But details remain scarce. Favoritism is a heavily subjective topic, as children in particular might struggle to understand why parental figures might act a certain way. For example, girls report parental favoritism more often than boys, regardless of the “direction” it takes. Similarly, middle and youngest children often feel like parents prefer the eldest, despite ignoring the extra responsibilities often placed on older kids.

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OP gave some follow-up, while commenters were divided over the grandmother’s actions

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ianbuhagiar_1 avatar
BewilderedBanana
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone bother to ask the 20 and 16yo how they felt about this? Coz if it was me, i wouldn't give a toss. I'd be happy to see my grandma and remember i'm lucky she's still around. So what if they went on a trip and *dear lord* eat out regularly - it's their money isn't it? And if grandma thinks the 20 and 16yo are too old for eggs, she has a right to an opinion as well. The only people affected in this are the 2 kids... so ask them about it instead of asking the whole internet what everyone else thinks. jeez. i shall now have a coke and a smile and shut the hell up :)

imbriuminarian avatar
Bunzilla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that it depends on the kid. Some kids might get annoyed that they're "not a kid anymore" and therefore don't need Easter stuff. Then there's those of us who feel you can never be too old to enjoy some free chocolate from family. I'm an adult with no kids. I love Easter, it's one of my favourite holidays. Though I'm the one who buys most of the Easter chocolate now (yeah, I buy it for my parents and myself), I still appreciate getting little treats from them. The point is, the other two might have their feelings hurt for not getting something from Grandma.

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lunashau avatar
Ash
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a US American, and I am clearly missing something here. Is it a tradition in the UK to buy a chocolate egg for each person that costs TWENTY POUNDS?? In the US we just give them a little basket of candy that costs like 5 to 10 dollars!

beizhudi-serv avatar
Judes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not giving gifts to older people is fine, but you need to be consistent, and grandma has not been consistent. If the 20 year old got an egg up to age 19, then grandma is unfair if she now decides not to give something to the 16 year old.

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ianbuhagiar_1 avatar
BewilderedBanana
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone bother to ask the 20 and 16yo how they felt about this? Coz if it was me, i wouldn't give a toss. I'd be happy to see my grandma and remember i'm lucky she's still around. So what if they went on a trip and *dear lord* eat out regularly - it's their money isn't it? And if grandma thinks the 20 and 16yo are too old for eggs, she has a right to an opinion as well. The only people affected in this are the 2 kids... so ask them about it instead of asking the whole internet what everyone else thinks. jeez. i shall now have a coke and a smile and shut the hell up :)

imbriuminarian avatar
Bunzilla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that it depends on the kid. Some kids might get annoyed that they're "not a kid anymore" and therefore don't need Easter stuff. Then there's those of us who feel you can never be too old to enjoy some free chocolate from family. I'm an adult with no kids. I love Easter, it's one of my favourite holidays. Though I'm the one who buys most of the Easter chocolate now (yeah, I buy it for my parents and myself), I still appreciate getting little treats from them. The point is, the other two might have their feelings hurt for not getting something from Grandma.

Load More Replies...
lunashau avatar
Ash
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a US American, and I am clearly missing something here. Is it a tradition in the UK to buy a chocolate egg for each person that costs TWENTY POUNDS?? In the US we just give them a little basket of candy that costs like 5 to 10 dollars!

beizhudi-serv avatar
Judes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not giving gifts to older people is fine, but you need to be consistent, and grandma has not been consistent. If the 20 year old got an egg up to age 19, then grandma is unfair if she now decides not to give something to the 16 year old.

Load More Comments
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