Most parents can relate to the annual struggle of trying to keep their children's Christmas presents a secret until the big day arrives. As many kids can't contain their excitement, they end up hunting out the gifts beforehand.
And one mother has been left furious after her nosey daughter discovered a list of all the things she was due to get for Christmas this year.
The woman took to Mumsnet under the username Primula78, Leicester Mercury reports. The displeased mum said her child had found a written list in a notepad of all the things she would receive for her birthday and Christmas which are around the same time of year.
Seeking advice from fellow parents, the mum admitted she's now considering returning all the gifts she has bought so far. However, her husband disagreed and thought she was being overly dramatic about the situation as he said it is 'natural for children to snoop around'.
In the post, the mum wrote: "Yesterday my daughter (six nearly seven and bright/doesn't miss a trick) was building a den with blankets around my work desk. Didn't think anything of it until this morning.
"She asked me a question that made me stop and double-take. On my desk are many notebooks. At the back of one of these notebooks (my Christmas planning one) I have listed all the presents I have purchased for her bday and Christmas (they are close together).
"I have listed her stocking items, the items Santa is bringing, and then the presents we have got and what I have asked the wider family to get. I also have lists for wider family presents, food, and Christmas cards.
"I think she found the notebook when playing and read it based on the question she asked this morning. I'm very cross and hurt, I haven't asked her outright but I have asked her if she has anything she wants to tell me and she said no.
"I have now removed these pages from the notebook. My initial thought is to write a message for her if she returns to the book along the lines of 'I know you have read this - all presents have been returned. Please do not look in my notebooks again'.
"My husband says this is very mean and it's natural for kids to snoop etc. Any advice, please?" The post has sparked a controversial debate online as many people have sided with the husband while many others also sympathised with the disappointed mum.
User RudsyFarmer commented: "Well she’s snooped and she now knows her presents. Lesson learned." JesusInTheCabbageVan said: "Yes that would be incredibly mean."
Olivehater suggested: "Can’t you just tell her they are a wish list to father Christmas? She won’t have memorised everyone."
Qwertyfudge put: "She’s a child of course she read it, she’s already ruined it enough by taking the surprise element away, this does not require a punishment!" Notangelinajolie typed: "Change the presents- there is still time."
PuttingDownRoots added: "I genuinely accidentally found my Christmas presents at that age playing hide and seek, opened airing cupboard there they were. Mother was angry at me... but it was a cupboard we regularly open?
"You knew she was playing there, so don't keep the notebook there. But a talk about privacy won't go amiss." Another user, Heartstopper, said the mum should've been more careful and not left her notebook lying around, writing: "That would be a very mean message to write.
"The lesson here is for you: don't leave things you don't want read lying around! You said yourself, she is bright and doesn't miss a trick. Well, she didn't miss this one!"
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