“After Wal-Mart, [Ms. Perry] was off to Meijer’s to look for an Xbox 360 for her son, and for gifts inspired by the film ‘Twilight’ for her 12-year-old daughter.
” ‘She’s got to have the Twilight lip gloss,’ Ms. Perry said. ‘Every girl at her school has it, so she’s got to have it, too’.”
from yesterday’s New York Times account of Black Friday 2009
* * * *
As I was reminded while poking around the Whole Foods store on Amsterdam and 97th yesterday ($9.99 for 30 ounces of mashed potatoes, and organic, naturally colored sprinkles for baking, neither of which exists at my Co-op supermarket in Alberta), my husband, children, and I live in a very, very different world.
When I headed out here last week, my 12-year-old daughter, who is more or less unaware of the phenomenon that is Twilight (until she reads this blog post maybe) was reading Anne of Green Gables, rereading The Penderwicks, working on her quilling cards to sell at the Christmas Farmer’s Market on Tuesday, using Blistex Medicated Berry Lip Balm, and doesn’t really have to have anything for this Christmas…
Filed under: Current Events, Raising Children
“and doesn’t really have to have anything for this Christmas…”
Music to a mother’s ears! My (almost 4) year old, when asked what she wants for her birthday (which is this coming Tuesday) said, “I would like a dolly and a baby teddy bear and that’s all.” When her brothers and sisters grilled her for more gift ideas she replied, “I SAID a DOLLY and a baby teddy bear and that’s ALL! Nuffin’ else! “
You know, I think that line about kids having to have stuff because all the kids at school have it is balderdash.
Seriously, when F. was 1, I overheard moms at her day care saying that about Teletubbies stuffies. And as we all know, 1 year olds (even the ones that go to day care) care not one whit about having what their friends have in some abstract sense. They certainly don’t know anything about “cool”.
And thinking about that particular example led me to the conclusion that it isn’t the kids that will feel left out. It is the parents. This is just the latest version of “keeping up with the Jones’s”.
Because there are people whose kids go to school who have the spine to teach their kids about consumerism and fads and the importance of making your own decisions.
And I suspect there are homeschoolers who worry about their kids being “weird” and make sure they are well versed in the latest fads and have all the right “stuff”.
Sing it, Sister. I hope I can raise my baby to be as level-headed as your daughter.
<>
Perhaps she’d like a warm hug if she’s ever in California? :) Just wanted to say that I’m very happy for her.
We tend to be nerdy (i.e. bookish) or practical or both when it comes to gift choices. More from necessity than anything else. Even before our new home caused the dent it did in the bank account (despite being in the lowest-priced boundaries of the SF Bay Area).
I heard an interview/call in show with Mary Piper, who wrote Reviving Ophelia many years ago. She spoke of some neighbor girls who were being home schooled. She said they have the relaxed open face a child should have, instead of the guarded fearful look so many teens have. (Or words to that effect) Interesting show, but can’t remember what it was on, some public radio show, I’m sure. And I certainly agree with the comment that much of the have to have can be parentally generated. Let’s not underestimate the system,however.
My 11yr son would like to read Twilight. I have told him no, that I did not think that it was appropriate for him and that I would have to read it first. My children have never been very greedy when it comes to Christmas. We have always tried to keep it just a few gifts from us and a couple from Santa.
Greetings,
Free Software like Linux is a powerful tool for homeschoolers.
Here is an interview to an homeschool parent proving how useful
and easy Linux and Free Software can be:
http://stop.zona-m.net/node/68
Best Regards,
Marco Fioretti
Anne of Green Gables is way better than Twilight anyhow! Glad to read this and see that there are still many huge benefits to home school. Thanks for sharing!
Jenn
Quilling