My UO is that people buy their kids way too much stuff they don't need. This is on my mind because of the holiday season ramping up, and all the toy catalogs arriving in the mail telling me I need to give junior "a Christmas he won't forget!" I think parents are tricked into thinking they have to buy them a bunch of stuff, and we see our peers buying their kids a bunch of stuff, so we want to do the same. Kids need time and space to just be, they don't need more stuff
Agreed! DS's birthday is at the end of October so I feel like we are still opening gifts by the time Christmas comes. So for Christmas, we do:
Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read
Then, from others when they ask for ideas, we say things like a Zoo pass, $ for the 529 plan, etc.
I read the four gifts idea and want to do that too.
My UO is that people buy their kids way too much stuff they don't need. This is on my mind because of the holiday season ramping up, and all the toy catalogs arriving in the mail telling me I need to give junior "a Christmas he won't forget!" I think parents are tricked into thinking they have to buy them a bunch of stuff, and we see our peers buying their kids a bunch of stuff, so we want to do the same. Kids need time and space to just be, they don't need more stuff
Agreed! DS's birthday is at the end of October so I feel like we are still opening gifts by the time Christmas comes. So for Christmas, we do:
Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read
Then, from others when they ask for ideas, we say things like a Zoo pass, $ for the 529 plan, etc.
I read the four gifts idea and want to do that too.
We're doing minimal-ISH instead of minimal-IST --> want, need, wear, read, make and hang on the tree (We each got an annual ornament and I love the tradition). This year DD is getting a Christmas movie (VeggieTales St. Nick), a potty, pajamas, her 1st year Shutterfly album, stuff for sugar cookies and her ornament (Fisher Price Swing from Hallmark). The Shutterfly album is really for me though so other than that it will be just less than $50 this year. Last year she got a doorway jumper for $15 and new pajamas.
How does the 4 gifts idea work with overlap? What if they want something to read or wear? Or need something to wear? I don't really get the needed item as a gift thing anyway. If they need it you have to buy it anyway so why pretend it's a gift?
@jules08 We do this too! We've been doing this from the beginning and now that my oldest is 9, I'm so glad. Now that we're up to 4 kids, the gifts add up fast! We usually get them a good pair of shoes, a book, and two fun toys (usually Legos for the boys). The trouble is with extended family, who insist on getting a lot of junk for birthdays and holidays. Most of it ends up in the goodwill pile because we simply don't have the space to keep stuff they don't need or use.
@RoseShadow873 the point is not to bombard kids with present, especially when they are too young to know the difference. So yes, @mrstrax 's LO will NEED a potty, but kids have fun opening presents so why not wrap it? Plus, instilling a sense of gratitude in kids is important to many of us. Kids should be grateful to have a special potty, etc. Yes, my child will always have food, but I'm going to make him or her help with the garden/butchering/canning, so that he or she is grateful for the food I put on the table. When I was a kid, my birthday gift was mom cooking my favorite meal - we had to eat, but with five siblings a single voice is not often heard. It was really special for us to choose our own meal even though our parents had to feed us, anyway.
My UO is that people buy their kids way too much stuff they don't need. This is on my mind because of the holiday season ramping up, and all the toy catalogs arriving in the mail telling me I need to give junior "a Christmas he won't forget!" I think parents are tricked into thinking they have to buy them a bunch of stuff, and we see our peers buying their kids a bunch of stuff, so we want to do the same. Kids need time and space to just be, they don't need more stuff.
Agree! My friends with kids pile presents under the tree and get each kid like 10 things each!
Growing up, I got one gift from my parents, one gift from Santa (this was usually the thing I really really wanted, no long-ass list for Santa!) and maybe one gift on behalf of my little sister. All other gifts were from other family.
I do like the 4 gifts idea but even that is more than I remember getting! I guess we'll see!
I don't think the number of gifts necessarily says anything. I mean, I think multiple little gifts could be equal to one big gift. Like what about little crap that goes in a stocking or like an ornament or something? I think as a child I got more than one gift from my parents but only like on big one and a few little things like candy, etc. and I don't think that seems like over-the-top spoilage. As long as it's not a Dudley Dursley situation!
How does the 4 gifts idea work with overlap? What if they want something to read or wear? Or need something to wear? I don't really get the needed item as a gift thing anyway. If they need it you have to buy it anyway so why pretend it's a gift?
No one's saying they can't get two books and have one be a want and one be a read. But they can't go through the TRU catalogue and think they're going to get everything they'd like - they have to pick one or two things for Mom and Dad to pick from. One of my favorite things about this idea is that eventually I can ask DD (and future DS) to give me ideas for each category, so they'll have another opportunity to learn need vs want.
My UO is how much I HATE touching shopping carts & doors in public places. I think I die a little inside every time someone doesn't hold the door for me and I have to touch it lol. You best believe after I have to touch a door though I whip the hand sanitizer out!
I had a shopping cart/high chair cover. Someone actually *made* it for me...and I used it twice. To be fair, my first just was *never* much of a chewer/mouther. She almost never put anything in her mouth that wasn't food. Maybe it'll be different with Kid #2.
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
My UO is how much I HATE touching shopping carts & doors in public places. I think I die a little inside every time someone doesn't hold the door for me and I have to touch it lol. You best believe after I have to touch a door though I whip the hand sanitizer out!
I had a shopping cart/high chair cover. Someone actually *made* it for me...and I used it twice. To be fair, my first just was *never* much of a chewer/mouther. She almost never put anything in her mouth that wasn't food. Maybe it'll be different with Kid #2.
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
I got one, tried to use it at target. Well target's cart sitting space is super deep so it didn't fit. I said screw it and DS has survived so far! To me it's more of a pain honestly!
First BFP 12/2012, MMC at 9 weeks
Second BFP 6/2013, resulted in DS, born 2/23/14 :-)
Third BFP 5/2015, natural MC at 6 weeks
Fourth BFP 8/2015, hoping for sticky little brother or sister to H!
Proud SAHM to our little monkey H.
Pro Vax, extended breasftfeeder, ring sling and stroller loving mama. I don't judge you unless you don't vaccinate!
Another one of my UO---yoga pants....they are NOT everyday pants. They are just as bad as leggings! Knock that shit off!
I can't wear structured pants comfortably due to severe psoriasis, including right where waistbands sit. Seams, tags, buttons...yikes. I'm in yoga or pajama pants 24/7, unless I have to suck it up for a few hours to go to a "dress up" occasion.
Black Friday shopping makes me shudder. You will never catch me out shopping on this day. I don't really like shopping to begin with, and the thought of fighting through masses of people makes me want to scream. I don't care how much I can save on whatever item. It just isn't worth it to me.
I loathe Black Friday. I can barely tolerate Costco on a Saturday morning. I also think it's disgusting that people have to go in to work for peanuts on a major holiday just so the hordes can get their cheap crap 12 hours earlier. (I know there are lots of people who have to work holidays, but I feel that should be reserved for necessary functions like hospitals, utilities, emergency responders, I guess gas stations...not running cash registers at Walmart.)
Ha...I hate when I'm late to a thread and have a bunch of consecutive posts. I feel like I'm walking down the street talking to myself...
Anywho, my late-late UO...I made the mistake of visiting the Baby Showers board. I can't believe how hung up and judgey people are about MTB's getting too involved in their shower planning.
The whole idea that 'your girlfriends should offer to do it' is lovely, except that some of us live in the real world where our close girlfriends are spread out all over the country (or world). Or work 70-hour a week jobs and are on the road four days a week. Or have full time jobs and kids of their own with crazy activity schedules and bosses who think it's NBD to work "just a few hours" on the weekend.
And, shocker, the friends and family who are within day trip distance really DO want us to have a shower, and are disappointed if we don't.
I find it sad that people are so cynical and seem to think so little of the people they supposedly like and care about that they assume a MTB who participates in shower planning is out for a "gift grab." Newsflash--if people are going assume you're selfish and greedy for planning your own shower, they probably already think that anyway.
Ha...I hate when I'm late to a thread and have a bunch of consecutive posts. I feel like I'm walking down the street talking to myself...
Anywho, my late-late UO...I made the mistake of visiting the Baby Showers board. I can't believe how hung up and judgey people are about MTB's getting too involved in their shower planning.
The whole idea that 'your girlfriends should offer to do it' is lovely, except that some of us live in the real world where our close girlfriends are spread out all over the country (or world). Or work 70-hour a week jobs and are on the road four days a week. Or have full time jobs and kids of their own with crazy activity schedules and bosses who think it's NBD to work "just a few hours" on the weekend.
And, shocker, the friends and family who are within day trip distance really DO want us to have a shower, and are disappointed if we don't.
I find it sad that people are so cynical and seem to think so little of the people they supposedly like and care about that they assume a MTB who participates in shower planning is out for a "gift grab." Newsflash--if people are going assume you're selfish and greedy for planning your own shower, they probably already think that anyway.
Can we all just chill out and have a nice party?
### end rant ###
Um... I freaking hate that board! They're hateful, and snobby and I said that on the last post I made there over a month ago.
My UO is how much I HATE touching shopping carts & doors in public places. I think I die a little inside every time someone doesn't hold the door for me and I have to touch it lol. You best believe after I have to touch a door though I whip the hand sanitizer out!
I had a shopping cart/high chair cover. Someone actually *made* it for me...and I used it twice. To be fair, my first just was *never* much of a chewer/mouther. She almost never put anything in her mouth that wasn't food. Maybe it'll be different with Kid #2.
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
Ha I've tried to go without one lately and my toddler tries to chew on the carts buckles. Ugh, so gross! Haha so for now I'll use it.
Speaking of Black Friday anybody wanna help me spot some deals on nice (preferably ge but any reputable brand)
Sub zero fridge (French doors) Washer and drier Two dishwashers (can be the same one twice)
Okay thanks! I'll send you cookies (i make the best cookies ever)
Ooh ooh and a video monitor with two cameras? If I can find one for <$150 it'll be worth it to sell the one we have and buy new instead of buying a new (discontinued) camera for the current one.
ETA - Kohls has 60% off Motherhood brand maternity in their ad. The deals start online on the 23rd - my preferred method of "Black Friday" shopping
Speaking of Black Friday anybody wanna help me spot some deals on nice (preferably ge but any reputable brand)
Sub zero fridge (French doors) Washer and drier Two dishwashers (can be the same one twice)
Okay thanks! I'll send you cookies (i make the best cookies ever)
Ooh ooh and a video monitor with two cameras? If I can find one for <$150 it'll be worth it to sell the one we have and buy new instead of buying a new (discontinued) camera for the current one.
ETA - Kohls has 60% off Motherhood brand maternity in their ad. The deals start online on the 23rd - my preferred method of "Black Friday" shopping </p>
Foscam!!!!!! It's a wifi one but you can set up your phone to automatically alert you whenever they make a sound. Or if you want one with a monitor I really recommend foscam anyway and then just buy a cheap sound monitor since you can view the foscam one in your phone/iPad etc.
First BFP 12/2012, MMC at 9 weeks
Second BFP 6/2013, resulted in DS, born 2/23/14 :-)
Third BFP 5/2015, natural MC at 6 weeks
Fourth BFP 8/2015, hoping for sticky little brother or sister to H!
Proud SAHM to our little monkey H.
Pro Vax, extended breasftfeeder, ring sling and stroller loving mama. I don't judge you unless you don't vaccinate!
My UO is how much I HATE touching shopping carts & doors in public places. I think I die a little inside every time someone doesn't hold the door for me and I have to touch it lol. You best believe after I have to touch a door though I whip the hand sanitizer out!
I had a shopping cart/high chair cover. Someone actually *made* it for me...and I used it twice. To be fair, my first just was *never* much of a chewer/mouther. She almost never put anything in her mouth that wasn't food. Maybe it'll be different with Kid #2.
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
I always roll my eyes when people use shopping cart covers. And cover up high chairs in restaurants. Seriously? And if you're so freaked out about poop on shopping cart handles, then what are you doing with the "dirty/poopy" shopping cart cover when you take it OFF the cart? Shoving it into your diaper bag to spread the poop germs everywhere? I do use the cart wipes when my son is going to ride in the cart, but I'm not a germophobe at all. Some germs are good for building up little immune systems, assuming your child is healthy!
Amanda
******************************
Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food
My UO is how much I HATE touching shopping carts & doors in public places. I think I die a little inside every time someone doesn't hold the door for me and I have to touch it lol. You best believe after I have to touch a door though I whip the hand sanitizer out!
I had a shopping cart/high chair cover. Someone actually *made* it for me...and I used it twice. To be fair, my first just was *never* much of a chewer/mouther. She almost never put anything in her mouth that wasn't food. Maybe it'll be different with Kid #2.
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
I always roll my eyes when people use shopping cart covers. And cover up high chairs in restaurants. Seriously? And if you're so freaked out about poop on shopping cart handles, then what are you doing with the "dirty/poopy" shopping cart cover when you take it OFF the cart? Shoving it into your diaper bag to spread the poop germs everywhere? I do use the cart wipes when my son is going to ride in the cart, but I'm not a germophobe at all. Some germs are good for building up little immune systems, assuming your child is healthy!
I'm not a germaphobe but my toddler son chewing on the buckles on the cart is beyond gross. I accidentally forgot the cover this week grocery shopping and I literally spent the entire shopping trip telling him to stop chewing on the buckles.
Re: UO Thursday 11/12
Agreed! DS's birthday is at the end of October so I feel like we are still opening gifts by the time Christmas comes. So for Christmas, we do:
Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read
Then, from others when they ask for ideas, we say things like a Zoo pass, $ for the 529 plan, etc.
I read the four gifts idea and want to do that too.We're doing minimal-ISH instead of minimal-IST --> want, need, wear, read, make and hang on the tree (We each got an annual ornament and I love the tradition).
This year DD is getting a Christmas movie (VeggieTales St. Nick), a potty, pajamas, her 1st year Shutterfly album, stuff for sugar cookies and her ornament (Fisher Price Swing from Hallmark). The Shutterfly album is really for me though so other than that it will be just less than $50 this year. Last year she got a doorway jumper for $15 and new pajamas.
When I was a kid, my birthday gift was mom cooking my favorite meal - we had to eat, but with five siblings a single voice is not often heard. It was really special for us to choose our own meal even though our parents had to feed us, anyway.
Growing up, I got one gift from my parents, one gift from Santa (this was usually the thing I really really wanted, no long-ass list for Santa!) and maybe one gift on behalf of my little sister. All other gifts were from other family.
I do like the 4 gifts idea but even that is more than I remember getting! I guess we'll see!
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
I always feel a twinge of Mom Guilt when I see other moms whip out their covers.
I got one, tried to use it at target. Well target's cart sitting space is super deep so it didn't fit. I said screw it and DS has survived so far! To me it's more of a pain honestly!
And, shocker, the friends and family who are within day trip distance really DO want us to have a shower, and are disappointed if we don't.
Sub zero fridge (French doors)
Washer and drier
Two dishwashers (can be the same one twice)
Okay thanks! I'll send you cookies (i make the best cookies ever)
ETA - Kohls has 60% off Motherhood brand maternity in their ad. The deals start online on the 23rd - my preferred method of "Black Friday" shopping
******************************
Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food
Rhys - born 04.17.2013
Harry - born 04.18.2016
I'm not a germaphobe but my toddler son chewing on the buckles on the cart is beyond gross. I accidentally forgot the cover this week grocery shopping and I literally spent the entire shopping trip telling him to stop chewing on the buckles.