Too MUUUUUCH

Oh my. Memo to aunts, uncles, grandparents and generous friends. PLEEEEEase stop buying my kids so much stuff.

We have very generous relatives and we are very blessed. We love you. But this house is too small and my kids are not given the chance to appreciate anything. They have about three times more stuff than they need and they lose or break half of it because it doesn't mean anything to them.

I remember desiring toys when I was little. Wanting something soooo bad. Thinking about it. Coveting a little. Circling it in catalogs, wishing, hoping. IF I got it eventually, it was the coolest, neatest thing I could ever imagine. It was ultra-special to me.

My children don't have that feeling of waiting, wishing, owning. Their toys and belongings are, for the most part, fleeting and disposable. They always know another toy is around the corner, and so what if toys A - B - C all get busted. They still have D - Z at their whim.

I'm not saying birthdays can't be fun. I'm not saying Santa needs to pass over our house without stopping. But we need to get reasonable. Who wants their money wasted or unappreciated? I sure don't. I can think of better things we can do. Bank accounts can grow and savings can accumulate. Children can be shown love and celebration without going overboard. I'm tired of cleaning it all up every week and I know they are tired of hearing me grumble everytime I do.

As a result, I have not been buying this year. I buy groceries & perishables, but I have not bought clothes, shoes, toys, books or household stuff. The back of my van is full of a thrift store load as we speak. I can't take it anymore.

It doesn't matter if this is the cutest item I've ever seen in a kitchen. Or if I would trade a child for a set of these. I'm done shopping. For right now.

Thanks. I feel better already.