Since this project began thirty days ago, the kids have been taking it pretty well. No, scratch that. They’ve been taking it VERY well. They haven’t asked for a thing (except for a magazine plastered with the Jonas Brothers’ faces), which has led to a startling revelation:
Our kids have lots and lots and lots of stuff, most of which they never even asked for. That’s right. THEY NEVER ASKED FOR IT.
Many times when I’m out and about, I’ll see something I think they’ll enjoy and I’ll just pick it up. Books, magazines, little toys. MallDad loves to buy them movies, games for the Wii and the DS, and other tech gadgets. (Although personally, I think they’re more for him than them.)
About the only time the kids ask for things is if we’re shopping together, and they see something that interests them. Now that we haven’t been shopping, it’s been pretty much a non-issue. Which begs the question: What have we been doing to our children?
We’ve been teaching them to be thoughtless consumers. To value “stuff.” Not only have we been spoiling them, we’ve been loading them up with toys and games they don’t need, or even necessarily want, and then complaining when they don’t play with them.
Sure, they’ve gone through phases where they HAD to have things (like dozens of Bratz dolls, or every Webkinz ever made), but for the most part, they aren’t really consumeristic kids. Yet.
However, if MallDad and I keep it up, they will be.
There’s a definite psychology behind this. Wanting your kids to have all the stuff you didn’t have, maybe. Or living vicariously through them. Or buying their love? It’s a terrible thing.
A change is definitely in order around here. When this is all over, the kids are going to get gifts only on gift-giving occasions, like birthdays and Christmas. And we’re going to limit to our shopping excursions to reduce the temptation to buy.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Tip for Day 30 – Limit shopping excursions to limit temptation.
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