I have a 17 month old girl and she has EVERYTHING. OK...90% of her toys were given to us, but I can't stop buying things. Even when I was THINKING about getting pregnant, I bought stuff and just stored it away until I actually got pregnant. Then, at my baby shower, people didn't know what to buy since I had everything. My Aunt actually returned what she was going to give myself and my husband since I already had one. I've been cleaning out to make room for more and plan on selling what she no longer needs (we have VERY limited room) this summer at our annual garage sale. I shop sales all the time and eBay for her. Christmas was just here and I am already looking/buying summer clothes and items for Easter. Has anyone else experienced this?? Is it an addiction??
2007-01-10 14:10:57 · 2 answers · asked by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
You want the very best things for your daughter. Unfortunately, we're bombarded with the message that if you love someone you buy them everything.
The truth is that it's best to shower kids with love, attention, appropriate discipline - not things. It's a lot harder, but it's what they really need.
Your money would be better spent on a really good parenting class (I think anyone who is working with/parenting kids can use a parenting class).
It could be an addiction - certainly that can happen. If you shop when you're stressed and feel better after, I would say that it may be an addiction.
However, if you look at the psychology of it, if you just window shop you can get the same "high" as if you'd bought things.
You'll be fine. You CAN stop shopping. You just love your daughter and are trying to find ways to show it. All she needs is your time.
When you look on these boards, you see a lot more kids wanting their parents to understand them than buy things for them.
2007-01-10 15:12:29 · answer #1 · answered by Shrieking Panda 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I've never had this experience, but it's more of an Oh My God I want her to be happy!!!! phase. Just stop buying things for her or she'll grow up a spoiled little brat, and we don't want that now, do we? I suspect that if you don't stop now, you won't ever stop; you'll give her anything she'll ever want and she'll grow up and not know what to do once she has to take her own responsibilities.
2007-01-10 22:26:08 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋