Do we give our kids too much?

Question

My son's girlfriend told me her son was bored with opening Christmas presents last year. He had so many, all he wanted to do was play with the one's he'd already opened and couldn't be bothered opening the rest. It's opened my eyes. I've decided less is more. How many toys can a child play with?

We've definitely lost the plot when a child finds opening a present a bore, havent we?

Sorry Snowball. I don't agree with you - surely we deny them important life lessons when we give them so much that they're bored!

Answer 1

I so Agree!!!! I have an 8 month old son, and I was in a "discussion" with my brother in law who has two older children whom he has given everything to....Very high priced expensive gifts. Fortunately for his sake they are financially well off and can afford to do so...and they are very good children....the problem is, they appreciate nothing anyone else in the family gives them because it doesn't meet the same high priced "standard"....

My brother in law indicated he planned to "load up my son with gifts and spoil him rotten" I indicated that he could do what he wanted but that my son will have a gift from mommy and a gift from daddy because I want him to understand the true meaning of Christmas. I believe that I do not need to spoil my son with gifts at Christmas.....

Where did gift giving originate anyway??? The wise-men and shepherds brought baby Jesus the treasures they had.....Gifts are supposed to be given from the heart.....and when they are received, they should be appreciated recognizing that the price-tag that is attached does not matter.....it is the thought that the giver put into giving the gift that should be recognized....

I think we have lost the true meaning of Christmas.....I agree with you.....they really can only play with so many toys....Children need our love, time, and attention far more than a bunch of things to unwrap under the tree once a year.

I wish you a Very Blessed Christmas!

Answer 2

There is a very big difference to spoiling a child and giving it a lot of things.

Children do need new toys and games (esp. educational things)to fit their age as they get older. There is also the social side, keeping up with other kids etc., although this is not a good thing, it is a way of life and quite important in a peer group. But this dosent mean you should get yourself in trouble buying things, children can understand the meaning of money and how to appreciate what they have, and how to wait for things if they are taught this.

Although at Christmas it often happens that some toys/games are not even touched as there are so many.

So how about saving your present for the new year, or give it a week before Christmas (which also helps calm down a christmas enhanced excitable child) Or make your present a trip to a panto just before or after Christmas

Answer 3

Yes we do give our kids too much, but that's not really a bad thing. It becomes a bad thing with how it's handled. It depends on what you're giving them. My husband and I try very hard to give our children things that are actually useful to them and foster they're talents. That doesn't mean we give them boring stuff, we're just really careful what toys we pick out so that we know it's stuff the will like and will benefit them in some way, even if it's just getting them outside to get more exercise (thought I'm not sure my kids could play out any more than they do lol) The problem I see is, like the last bday party I went to, the kids must have gotten five hundred dollars in video games, mp3 players and such. Everything he got was just something else to sit on the couch and veg out with, I do not think that is healthy. As long as your child appreciate what they are getting and are not ending up as demanding and ungrateful then everythings cool. There's also the option of getting your kids involved with toy drives and such, so they can see how lucky they are and feel proud of helping others.

Answer 4

More than likely - My daughter Emmy, is yet to be born & I am already buying her toys !!!

I think the trick is that if they are reall 'into something' get them that. A kid who loves Star Wars, you will be able to get loads of stuff for them as there is so much different items around.

Have you thought of splitting the presents? One or two on Christmas Eve (To calm them down & give them something to keep them occupied), most of them on Christmas day and fibally, a few on Boxing Day - Again keeping them out of trouble and giving them a little more to look forward too?

You could also cut back on the presents for, use the money to buy other presents (a game etc) and then take your kid along to the local hospital - kiddies ward - and give them to the staff there.

Answer 5

As a parent it is difficult not to go overboard when buying presents for your little siblings. Often i limit myself into only buying one main present and a few small ones, however still find myself picking up extras along the way.

Besides, me buying there is the family that also go overboard. I do find often children don't play with what they asked for and play with the things that you thought they never would even touch.. such as non-branded toy and figurines.

What is even more harder is being able to know you got them enough, because if you decide to be mean and only get them one item... you often feel guilty and nobody likes that feeling. Especially when its at christmas.

Answer 6

The public schools system is failing our kids. I went to public schools, taught in public schools and briefly sent my daughters to public schools (5 mos) before I took them out. The schools fail because the government is running them! They throw tons of money at the schools and then scratch their heads when the kids don't learn. There is too much read tape, too much political correctiveness and too much testing. THere is no motivation for the kids - think about the horrible monotony and boredom of a school day and you'll see why. We are homeschooling our kids now. I can provide them with a better education than the public schools.

Answer 7

That's cool.

Yes I agree. Where has the magic of Christmas disappeared to?

Baking, lights, trees, cards, carols, family, love, friends, laughs, being together...... Why have we bought into commercial ideals and that all people want is presents? We dont! We want love and happiness.

Commercialism assumes that human nature is greedy. Well - I'm not. And I think that's a huge falicy - I couldn't care less about presents and I was the same as a kid.

Answer 8

Like nick's kids, we always got one "big" present and then smaller things, usually useful items like clothes or, say, a lamp or something, and then usually a few books. Between that and a stocking full of candy (and of course a toothbrush), it kept Christmas exciting.

For the record, I remember that my sister and I didn't play with many of our toys, even year-round; we liked our My Little Ponies (which our mom got us because they were cheaper than Barbies) and that was about it. Now the people I know my age that are moms often have "toy rules"; one of my co-workers lets her daughter keep a Rubbermaid tote of toys to play with, which she can switch around, but any toys that aren't there are put in storage--and if she hasn't played with them in a year, they donate them to charity at Christmas. That, I think, is an excellent practice...

Answer 9

we always buy one good present and a few odd bits as they get presents from all my family and hubbie's family my kids have 3 presents each from us this year, if we give them to much they just loose sight of what is important

Answer 10

i spent time in fiji recently with hubbies family and it humbled me how little the children have but how happy they r. one xmas present that is all thats is expected. my kids nearly died when thay heard this it is usuall to have a settee full n i dont buy my kids alot compared to some