Do kids need all this stuff?!

[SueBee]

I get frustrated by my youngest daughter’s insistence on buying so much stuff for her and hubby’s two kiddos, one 5, the other 7 months. Honestly, it’s overwhelming the amount of toys and books, etc she buys. Anyone else feel like this? Kids just don’t need it.

 

[That Lady in PA]

Of course the kids don't need it... your daughter simply WANTS it!
(you don't have to comply...)

 

[Della]

I think it's overwhelming to the kids as well as the parents. I remember watching my son. when he was about four, opening presents on Christmas morning. He opened the first few with excitement. Then stopped and went over to the corner of the room to where he always kept his toys and made sure his old beloved toys were still there. Finally, his father told him to come back, there were more new things to open. So he opened them in a sort of tired way. It wasn't even that much!

My father always used to say that a good set of blocks were all little ones needed, and I agree that the things that require imagination on the child's part are the best.

 

[KSav]

My daughter has 1-year-old twins, and an infant. They have a lot of toys—not too many, I don't think, but a decent amount.

I bet nobody here will be surprised to hear this: She sent a short video of her little son playing with his favorite item: an empty Amazon box.

 

[VaughanJB]

As a child, I played with my favorite toys. The rest, the majority, were simply ignored.

 

[CaliS]

Consumerism has gotten out of hand. It isn't just kids. Sadly, a lot of people work their lives away to buy "stuff" ....

It's hard to convince young folks that the things that really make you happy don't necessarily come in a box. But even back in the day you had the notion of "Keeping up with the Joneses"... or something like that Capitalism breeds Consumerism?

 

[QuietByNature]

My daughter is no different, I think the grandkids have way too many toys.
@KSav my daughter had a new couch delivered and it came in a big box, I cut windows, a door in to it and the grandkids played in it for weeks.

 

[Naturally]

Sometimes it isn’t really about what the child needs, it’s about the parent feeling like they’re doing their best.

New parents get hit with constant ads, “must have” lists, and pressure from all directions. Before long, every little thing looks essential ... or at least necessary in order to keep up with Mr & Mrs Jones and their commitment to child "development".

Kids will treasure time and simple experiences more than another toy ... usually, maybe.

 

[jujube]

My daughter's favorite toy was an old metal bandaid box, securely sealed with tape with a few pennies in it.

She'd ignore everything else for that box.

 

[KSav]

Sometimes it isn’t really about what the child needs, it’s about the parent feeling like they’re doing their best.

New parents get hit with constant ads, “must have” lists, and pressure from all directions. Before long, every little thing looks essential ... or at least necessary in order to keep up with Mr & Mrs Jones and their commitment to child "development".

I struggled with this particularly hard when my kids got a little older. Many of their friends, and their cousins, had the latest phones, new cars, etc. When my son started third grade, the boy sitting next to him had a BlackBerry. In third grade!

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Buying so much stuff can become a problem. The children may start to feel entitled to more stuff....expensive stuff... as they get older. They start to value what's really important less and less. And the parents' finances will eventually start to suffer.