Thursday, August 5, 2010
I Just Want Something!!
While on vacation recently I made a stranger laugh out loud and I wasn't even talking to him...he was listening to a conversation my oldest son and I were having. We were visiting The Largest Toy Museum and were right in the middle of the gift shop - a place that I have come to dread. Jakob wanted to know why he couldn't have 3 different toys. I was honest. I said "Because you were born to a family with 4 children and not as an only child."
I then turned my attention to the stranger snickering behind me and raised my hands as to as - what am I supposed to do?
We had already been through Ripley's Believe it or not, The Wax Museum, The Dinosaur Museum and the Butterfly Palace. I tried to prepare my kids that they were going to want a lot of things - but that their parents could only afford to buy a couple...but I guess the thrill of being in the gift shop was just to much for them...we heard a lot of:
Can I buy this too? Can I get something from the gift shop? Is there a gift shop? Is $20.00 for a toy too much? I just want something, anything and everything. What about his cool thing? What is it? Can I have it?
I thought to myself often when I was younger - when I grow up I am going to give my kids the things that they want. I grew up with siblings and I know where my kids are coming from - but you know now that I am a Mother myself - I find it very easy to say no.
I know how hard we work for our money and I also know how long a toy will hold the interest of my children. So at every gift shop - I would say the same thing - I am not spending that much money on junk that you will not play with tomorrow.
I did let them get a few things on vacation - but I was very selective. They each picked out one small toy at the toy museum and then later at the Butterfly Palace they each got one thing.
Do you allow your kids to buy souvenirs while on vacation? Do you find it hard to say no?
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I refuse to buy toys as souvenirs.
ReplyDeleteI tell them they can get a tshirt, sweatshirt, book, or something along those lines, (if they must get something). I normally bypass the giftshops all together, as its not exactly part of the attraction we are going to see.
I hate buying toys since as soon as we get home, they are discarded to the side. I try to reserve the toys for holidays and birthdays. My husband on the other hand... well that's a battle in itself. :)
I don't have kids, but I do have nieces and nephews who think that since I'm not mom and my dh is not dad, that we will say yes to everything they want.
ReplyDeleteI find it easy to say no now that they are a little older and their pouty faces aren't as adorable as they were when they were 4 lol
Very interesting topic. I've always given the boys each a dollar amount. How they choose to spend it is up to them. It is hard, very hard, sometimes to see what they spend it on. But it is always a show watching them decide when & where they'll spend it, what they'll spend it on and if they will spend it ALL.
ReplyDeleteYoung consumers, it's such a learning curve isn't it?
Souvenirs...yes. Toys as souvenirs, not necessarily. I am a sucker for souvenirs..I think it's cool to have something from the places we visit...but toys get broken, lost,etc. I prefer things that will keep, if only for a little while. Even pens that run out of ink can be kept to display.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
http://menarethattheymighthavejoy.blogspot.com
I think it's easy to get caught up in attitude, "oh, we're on vacation, why not?" It's hard to resist, but an important lesson at the same time. As a kid, the expectations were always set before we went into a souvenir store.
ReplyDeleteI seem to always say no. I am a meanie.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! SO funny!!!
ReplyDeleteI fight with my kids constantly about NOT getting expensive toys and NOT buying everything they ever want...especially when, like you said, they won't be interested tomorrow.