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Category: Homemaking, Resourcefulness
Teaching Good Things, Practical Skills for Real Life
Equipping Families with Practical Skills for Real Life!
Kim Matlock says:
This is something I am constantly “fretting” about. My boys all have birthdays coming up and I have some parents and inlaws who like to spoil. So hopefully soon we will be going through old things and de-cluttering. Thankfully I can be “meaner” to my mom and tell her if she must buy, that she can be nice and get them something more educational!
Riley says:
When my daughter was about 6-7 months old I started taking her down the toy isle at Wal-mart. I would pick up a toy and hand it to her and she would explore it. I would take it back and put it back on the shelf and walk on to the next thing that I thought she might like. I did this over and over again at each visit until my daughter was well over a year old. I always made her toy purchases when she wasn’t with me. If I found a toy I wanted her to have I would wait till I came back with out her, buy the toy and put it up. I had her Christmas bought well before Christmas and her birthday gifts as well. I even did this with her clothing and shoes. My point was to teach her that I bought what she needed at my convinience not her demands. Now she is 9 years old and I have ALWAYS enjoyed going off to run errands or buy what we needed with my daughter in tow because she learned early on that I never ever give in to begging and pleading or tantrums. She knows that she has and will have everything she needs to be healthy and decently clothed and a few little “extras” thrown in just because she doesn’t harrass me while we are out taking care of the family’s needs. If she does get a new garment or toy we always go through her things and “Free cylce” what she has out grown or no longer plays with. If is not in good condition we use the garments for sewing projects or for rags for when one of our many animals gives birth. Things are too costly to throw away when someone else would be pleased to have it or it could be used to bring comfort and warmth to an animal.
Kathy says:
I love the toy isle idea Riley! I can’t wait to practice this with grandchildren one day!
)
Dana says:
I belive it’s the Amish who have a saying regarding clothing:
One to wash,
One to wear.
One for church,
and
One for a spare.
We were just approved for a house via Habitat for Humanity because of Rick’s disability. We have about one year, but I’m going to start NOW to pare down everyhing. It’s going to be a real job, but one that I’ll enjoy doing!
Blessings–
Dana