AITA for taking back my nephews Christmas present and giving it to my son ?

A Reddit user shared a situation where their 13-year-old nephew broke their son’s gaming system, and when the user tried to hold their nephew accountable, their sister refused to discipline him or pay for the damage. The user then took the gaming system they had bought for their nephew and gave it to their son, saying that since it wasn’t important to their nephew, he wouldn’t miss it.

This led to backlash from the family, with many calling the user the “asshole” for ruining their nephew’s Christmas. The user is now questioning whether they made the right decision.

‘ AITA for taking back my nephews Christmas present and giving it to my son ?’

My sister and I have always had a strained relationship. I usually just let things go and try to keep the piece. We both have sons who are around the same age. My nephew is 13 and my son just turned 11. For my sons birthday I bought him the new gaming system he has been wanting.

He was absolutely thrilled and he plays nonstop. My sister is bad with money. I usually have to lend her money for bills and stuff for my nephew. I know my nephew doesn’t always get the best Christmas gifts so this year I went a little crazy and I purchased the same gaming system for him for Christmas.

I already had it ready and wrapped under my tree. Yesterday my sisters family came to visit. My son asked me if they could go play video games. I said yes and reminded them to be careful. About 30 minutes later my son comes running to me crying. I asked him what was wrong and he led me to the front hall.

When we get to the stairs I see the new system smashed on the floor. Someone had thrown it from the upstairs and it was now smashed to pieces. I asked my son what happened and he sobbed and pointed at his cousin. I asked my nephew if he did this and he started to laugh.

He said that it was a “stupid baby toy” and that he saw people break them online. My sister came in and I told her what happened. I explained that this was an expensive system and that her son needs to be disaplined for what he did. I told her I wanted her to pay for what her son broke. She laughed and said no.

She says I shouldn’t have let them play unsupervised. That it was my fault and that I am a bad parent. She said my son will get over it and that it was not important.
Seeing my son sitting on the ground next to his broken system trying to put the pieces back together tore my heart out.

I walked over to the Christmas tree and grabbed the system that was meant for my nephew. I pulled the gift wrap off and it gave it to son and told him to go upstairs and set it up. My sister asked me why I was making such a big deal when I had another one already. I than laughed and told her that was her sons Christmas gift.

That since it wasn’t important and it was just a stupid baby toy than they obviously won’t miss it. I than told them to leave. My nephew realized what happened and began to cry that my son had stole his system. I said no his was the one that he smashed. My sister was livid and told me that I will never see them again.

I just said okay and slammed the door. Other family members have now been calling me nonstop and saying I am an a**hole and that I ruined my nephews Christmas. I don’t think so though. My nephew is 13. He is not a stupid kid and he knew what he was doing. I don’t care that it was over jealousy, he is old enough to know better.

My sister was not going to make the situation right so I just did what I had to do. They all think I should buy another new system for him but I don’t have that kind of money. I’m starting to feel bad about this and I am wondering AITA?

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

ApartLocksmith1 −  NTA, your sister’s terrible parenting ruined her kid’s Christmas. Your nephew’s jealousy ruined his own Christmas. It’s entirely possible that your sister has spun a lie to the extended family, so be sure the flying monkeys have the full story in your responses to them.

“What part of my nephew deliberately smashing my son’s console, telling us he’d seen it done online and insulting the gaming system is acceptable in your eyes? How is my sister refusing to take responsibility for the damage or for disciplining her son acceptable in your eyes?

I bought 2 consoles, my nephew deliberately smashed one, I won’t be buying a third. If you think that sort of behaviour deserves to be rewarded, feel free to buy a console for nephew yourself”.

Bewecchan −  NTA. Your sister just disrespected you and your child and doesn’t care enough to discipline hers. Her son will grow up to be an entitled j**k. You did nothing wrong, just taught them a lesson, that I hope they learn (probably won’t, tho).

alissa2579 −  NTA do not buy this kid anything – he is 13 years old and knows right from wrong. And if he doesn’t this is his first lesson – actions have consequences.

Mister_fish800 −  NTA Your nephew needs to learn that he can’t just destroy whatever he wants and pretend like everything is fine. Don’t get him a new console! He can get a nice pair of socks for christmas Your sister needs to take a parenting class. How could she laugh that her son threw your sons console down the stairs.

I can absolutely see where your nephew gets his disregard for other peoples’ feelings from. I bet you son is happy and tbh that’s all that matters here.

BBQnNugs −  NTA if I had smashed anyone else’s system at 13 or younger I would have been held responsible for and punished for my actions. Your sister sounds as selfish as the child she is bearing. She gaslighted you to make you feel bad about her uncontrollable son. As her son walked out of your house crying you should have said whose the baby now.

–BMO– −  NTA What amazing parenting and a great lesson learnt by your jealous nephew. Especially the part about it being a baby toy and unimportant, that was delicious.

oldcreaker −  NTA – your nephew and your sister are a horror story – he doesn’t deserve the smashed system, much less a working one. And what happens when he comes over and again smashes your son’s system? I’d go no contact on your sister and nephew and anyone who would back their behavior. That was just awful. I would not keep people like that in my life.

weemee −  NTA. Clearly. I’ve read a few of these where kids of a certain age who should know better smash and damage something and the parents act like it’s akin to rolling their eyes. Who lets their kids destroy things? Of course your not the a**hole. What thirteen year old needs to be supervised to keep them from destroying something? You’re better off without their presence.

austinhp91 −  NTA – I dunno that I’d have made a show of giving your son the new game console while they were still there (and from under the Christmas tree? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!), but the nephew breaking your son’s console just for the sake of being an a**hole and your sister’s reaction were wholly unacceptable. I personally wouldn’t let them come back over to your house.

kindlefan12 −  Good for you! This was a good lesson for your nephew, that actions have consequences. He is not owed a gaming system and in fact he had to replace the one he broke. That’s how the world works.. NT