Comments on: Kids & Shopping - How Kids Can Be Smart Consumers http://blisstree.com/live/kids-shopping-how-kids-can-be-smart-consumers/ Tips, advice and insight with a personal touch Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:11:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jennifer Chait http://blisstree.com/live/kids-shopping-how-kids-can-be-smart-consumers/comment-page-1/#comment-143972 Jennifer Chait Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:53:17 +0000 http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/kids-shopping-how-kids-can-be-smart-consumers/#comment-143972 My son Cedar, was the first child born in this generation on my side and my partner's side. So, he was the main event and object of affection for years (he just turned 7 and just now got a nephew). He was so spoiled with stuff from everyone that it's unbelievable. Like you I gave a lot away. No kid needs that much stuff. What we eventually did (because you're right, you can't just give your daughter's stuff away as she gets older) was ask people to only give him one gift, and to make it something significant. Something he asked for OR to offer him some time, like a trip to the park, doing an art project, etc. Everyone in the family is on board with greener, less consumer based holidays EXCEPT my ex's parents. No matter what we say, they still get him lots of gifts, often stuff he doesn't need or want. My ex grew up in a family where stuff is a big deal and sort of dictates your worth. Luckily my ex is not like that now. It's a tough situation though, because we wish they'd stop giving him so much. We just try to talk to Cedar about what really matters over the stuff. I think he'll end up being more like us than his grandparents - since he lives with us. My son Cedar, was the first child born in this generation on my side and my partner’s side. So, he was the main event and object of affection for years (he just turned 7 and just now got a nephew). He was so spoiled with stuff from everyone that it’s unbelievable. Like you I gave a lot away. No kid needs that much stuff.

What we eventually did (because you’re right, you can’t just give your daughter’s stuff away as she gets older) was ask people to only give him one gift, and to make it something significant. Something he asked for OR to offer him some time, like a trip to the park, doing an art project, etc.

Everyone in the family is on board with greener, less consumer based holidays EXCEPT my ex’s parents. No matter what we say, they still get him lots of gifts, often stuff he doesn’t need or want. My ex grew up in a family where stuff is a big deal and sort of dictates your worth. Luckily my ex is not like that now.

It’s a tough situation though, because we wish they’d stop giving him so much. We just try to talk to Cedar about what really matters over the stuff. I think he’ll end up being more like us than his grandparents – since he lives with us.

]]> By: Rebecca http://blisstree.com/live/kids-shopping-how-kids-can-be-smart-consumers/comment-page-1/#comment-143774 Rebecca Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:58:59 +0000 http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/kids-shopping-how-kids-can-be-smart-consumers/#comment-143774 It will be interesting to see what my daughter's relationship to material possessions will be as she grows older. We have bought her three toys in two years. Don't worry--she has dozens of toys, all from friends and relatives. She had so many that I ended up donating quite a few. We have even donated some without letting her play with them first if they are too big or too obnoxious. As she gets older, I wonder how I will deal with this, as it might be a bit cruel to let her open a present from Grandma and then force her to relinquish it. It will be interesting to see what my daughter’s relationship to material possessions will be as she grows older. We have bought her three toys in two years. Don’t worry–she has dozens of toys, all from friends and relatives. She had so many that I ended up donating quite a few. We have even donated some without letting her play with them first if they are too big or too obnoxious. As she gets older, I wonder how I will deal with this, as it might be a bit cruel to let her open a present from Grandma and then force her to relinquish it.

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