"Pulling rank" during the Christmas season

[Richard22]

Being a career Air Force man, my dad would sometimes (rarely) use the term "pull rank" for any decision that meant going against the opinion of my mom. Perhaps one of the most well-known examples of a dad pulling rank was in the movie "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie's dad bought him a BB gun for Christmas, despite his mom showing her desire that he not have one. My wife recently demonstrated that pulling rank is an authority that can be extended to grandparents when she went back to an antique store to purchase a doll that caught the eye of our granddaughter. She shared with me how our granddaughter had become strongly attracted to the doll, going back to it several times and commenting to my wife how "pretty" the doll was. Of course, our daughter quickly said "no" when our granddaughter asked if she could have it.

Without saying a word to our daughter, my wife would go back to the antique store later that day and has it now wrapped as a Christmas present under our tree. And I'm sure our granddaughter's reaction will be much like Ralphie's when she opens the present on Christmas Day.

Has there ever been a time when you had to pull rank during the Christmas season?

 

[Rack Daniels]

Told my wife years ago that an 8 year old didn’t need a damned cell phone…. He’s 12 now and still uses it for entertainment way more than communication. Middle son is 8.5 and there’s talk of another cell phone…

Wife “pulls rank” on me daily.

 

[44hunter45]

Our boys got a Red Ryder on their 6th Christmas and an Ithaca M49 single shot .22 on their 9th. MRS didn't like it, but everyone survived with all their body parts intact.
I didn't have a safe in those days. Everything was in the master bedroom closet with no lock on the door.

After Granddaughter Miss T was born, MRS pulled rank and told me I had to get a safe. I was happy to obey. Miss T got a pink Red Ryder on her 6th. It was actually hard to find another Ithaca M49 for her. I found one at a show when she was 8. She was with me and I'm pretty sure she knew I was getting it for her, but she played along until her 9th Christmas.

Four Red Ryders and four Ithaca M49's in the back of the safe still. My oldest pawned his Ithaca to make rent after Miss T was born. It had a maple stock and forearm. The only one I've ever seen like it. I later replaced it with a fourth walnut version found at a gun show. He does not know that is in there.

 

[TransplantHunter]

Oh its a constant thing - not just around Christmas.

We call it "vetoing".

Come to think of it - she veto's my ideas way more than when I veto one of hers. I should probably look into that...

 

[Richard22]

Pull rank - "When a person of higher position or in authority pulls rank, he or she exercises his/her authority, generally ending any discussion and ignoring other people's views."

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Being a career Air Force man, my dad would sometimes (rarely) use the term "pull rank" for any decision that meant going against the opinion of my mom. Perhaps one of the most well-known examples of a dad pulling rank was in the movie "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie's dad bought him a BB gun for Christmas, despite his mom showing her desire that he not have one. My wife recently demonstrated that pulling rank is an authority that can be extended to grandparents when she went back to an antique store to purchase a doll that caught the eye of our granddaughter. She shared with me how our granddaughter had become strongly attracted to the doll, going back to it several times and commenting to my wife how "pretty" the doll was. Of course, our daughter quickly said "no" when our granddaughter asked if she could have it.

Without saying a word to our daughter, my wife would go back to the antique store later that day and has it now wrapped as a Christmas present under our tree. And I'm sure our granddaughter's reaction will be much like Ralphie's when she opens the present on Christmas Day.

Has there ever been a time when you had to pull rank during the Christmas season?

Your wife should have consulted with your daughter before making that decision. She completely undermined your daughter’s authority as a parent and did so behind her back. I would encourage your wife to tell her what is in the package and ask if that is ok or if she would like her to exchange it. Otherwise there’s a high risk of causing strain in their future relationship.

 

[TOGIE]

Your wife should have consulted with your daughter before making that decision. She completely undermined your daughter’s authority as a parent and did so behind her back. I would encourage your wife to tell her what is in the package and ask if that is ok or if she would like her to exchange it. Otherwise there’s a high risk of causing strain in their future relationship.

I don't know. It sounds less to me like a mother that doesn't want her daughter to have a doll and more like a parent that doesn't just say yes to buying things you see in the store.

My 3 year old wants things he sees in stores all the time. I always say no. Not necessarily because i'm not okay with him having it, but because we don't just buy things he wants every time we see them.

This is especially true for parents in the advent of christmas season.

I might argue that OPs wife didn't pull rank so much as is simply a savvy christmas shopper.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

I don't know. It sounds less to me like a mother that doesn't want her daughter to have a doll and more like a parent that doesn't just say yes to buying things you see in the store.

Without saying a word to our daughter, my wife would go back to the antique store later that day and has it now wrapped as a Christmas present under our tree.

A little communication could remove all doubt.

 

[morley.tyler]

Your wife should have consulted with your daughter before making that decision. She completely undermined your daughter’s authority as a parent and did so behind her back. I would encourage your wife to tell her what is in the package and ask if that is ok or if she would like her to exchange it. Otherwise there’s a high risk of causing strain in their future relationship.

Jesus- you come in hot. I bet you're a lot of fun at parties and have lots of friends...

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Jesus- you come in hot. I bet you're a lot of fun at parties and have lots of friends...

You are correct in that assumption. What do you disagree with in my post?

 

[morley.tyler]

You are correct in that assumption. What do you disagree with in my post?

I reject the premise of your post and question addressed to me. I/you/we know nothing of their family dynamic. The mother/daughter relationship. But you chose to jump into a situation on a hunting website, judge a mother, a grandmother, and this dudes wife. GTFO.

Also- it was a grandma buying a Xmas gift for her granddaughter. Lighten up. Life is hard enough for folks, no need for an asshole jump into their business. If you have nothing nice to say...

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

I reject the premise of your post and question addressed to me. I/you/we know nothing of their family dynamic. The mother/daughter relationship. But you chose to jump into a situation on a hunting website, judge a mother, a grandmother, and this dudes wife. GTFO.

Also- it was a grandma buying a Xmas gift for her granddaughter. Lighten up. Life is hard enough for folks, no need for an asshole jump into their business. If you have nothing nice to say...

It looks like you need to lighten up, I’m not the one calling anyone an asshole. I gave a blunt opinion with good intentions because I am genuinely concerned that this situation is going to end poorly for the original poster’s family. He can correct me if I’m wrong and do whatever he wants.

 

[Mallardsx2]

My wife pulled rank this morning. Looks like we are going moose hunting in 2027. Rats....

Who am I to even argue? lol

*I should note that this is my daughters 16th birthday present. That might explain the sudden interest.

 

[Moserkr]

@Mallardsx2 Tough break haha. I cant wait to book a moose hunt.

My wife doesn't want me "decorating" the house with the dead animals I shoot. Fair enough, we have an agreement that inside the house is hers, the outside (garage/man cave) is mine. However, when we get a new place, she said the great room must have tall ceilings with a large fireplace, big enough for a shoulder mounted moose to go high above it. I have never shot a moose. When we see moose mounts, she lets me know if they are too small. Ours must have large antlers, not a dink. Damn her and pulling rank... just need to make more money for this new house and moose hunt. Something like this ai picture below... bigger tv, and mount higher up

 

[gouch]

I don't know. It sounds less to me like a mother that doesn't want her daughter to have a doll and more like a parent that doesn't just say yes to buying things you see in the store.

My 3 year old wants things he sees in stores all the time. I always say no. Not necessarily because i'm not okay with him having it, but because we don't just buy things he wants every time we see them.

This is especially true for parents in the advent of christmas season.

I might argue that OPs wife didn't pull rank so much as is simply a savvy christmas shopper.

Yup, no pulling rank just normal Christmas shopping for the grandkid

 

[WildWill]

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Yup, no pulling rank just normal Christmas shopping for the grandkid

It’s the opening post for a thread with “pulling rank” in the title…

 

[Gellar]

I think it was about a week, maybe less, after my kids said their first word that they realized if mom and dad say no grandma will buy it.

 

[gouch]

It’s the opening post for a thread with “pulling rank” in the title…

Yes, it is. Your point?

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Yes, it is. Your point?

You say it’s not pulling rank. The guy who posted said it is pulling rank. I’m going with the guy who posted it.