First of all I'm impressed that SD16 even remembered his birthday. I normally have to remind her that she should make her father a Christmas or father's day card.

DH was almost giddy when she called him on his actual birthday. She has to do so little to gain his praise. Sad really. They meet over the weekend and she hands him a gift bag. In it is a box. A jewelry box. A purple glittery jewelry box. What every 43 year old man needs right?

He told me he couldn't/wouldn't hide his not-good-surprise face. He thought for a second that maybe she brought the wrong bag. But she just sat there, likely waiting to be praised like a show dog for remembering and acknowledging his birthday.

He asked her what he could use it for. She said to put his watch in. He said there was a rather long moment of awkward silence before he said, 'sweetheart, do you think this is a box for a man?'

She responds...'oh I know daddy...but if you don't like it, just put it in my room and I'll use it.'

If she was 5, I would have told him to proudly display the box and keep his watch in it. But Jesus H Christ, she is 16 and knows that her father would NEVER use something like this. She bought it knowing damn well that he would just hand it over to her.

He's happy she remembered the day but it's incredible how she can make everything about her.

**updated**
She bought it at the dollar store! I just saw it there. Spent a whole $2 on her dad. (She has a job so it's not like she had to ask BM for money) And I took it out of her room last night. Told DH she had enough boxes for her stuff. It will be donates to good will.