bisous
11-14-2018, 10:34 AM
My budget per kid is $100 or less. Though usually I spend a little more on the older kids and sometimes considerably less on the younger ones! ($100 for a 5yo goes way further!)
This year DS1 approached me and basically asked if he came up with $200 could I contribute another $100 and he could get a switch for Christmas. I guess that could work. He’d use it and he’d be awesome at sharing. I have two issue though.
First, it would mean he’d spend ALL of his money. It would obliterate his savings and I don’t know if I really want him to do that. He’s 15 and there is no way we can pay for all of college for him (nor do we want to but that’s a post for another day). He needs to think long term! But he’s always spent every cent he earns usually immediately! It’s rare that he holds onto it so long.
Second, gaming is not my favorite priority for the kids. With our tiny budget it seems like an extraordinary expense out of step with our usual household expenses.
The only “gaming” we have right now is an iPad2 and a 3DS that DS1 owns (and shares always).
Now, one more wrinkle. DS2 wants the 2DS. I don’t understand why that’s more desirable than the 3DS but there it is. Otherwise I was thinking I could contribute “all” of DS1s money and “all” of DS2s money to buy the switch....(maybe requiring that they meet part of the cost???)
Still seems extravagant to me.
I do want even these big boys (15 and 11) to have a magical feeling about Christmas. I tend to go practical and educational but I do want to honor that feeling that one day a year we get things just for fun...
I couldn’t be more proud of them right now. DS1 is taking a very challenging course load and ADHD aside is excelling at it and putting so much effort into it. He’s the best oldest brother I could ever imagine. DS2 is similarly such a light in our house. He’s helpful, kind, and does whatever he is asked.
I want to gift them this, but I worry that it’s too expensive and that it is out of step with what we do in our family. We’re a low screen family usually.
It is interesting because I recognize as I read here that our current financial situation (lots of student loan debt) is a product of how expensive college is but my attitude and DHs attitude towards money is also a contributer. I want to be better about modeling and teaching my kids.
WWYD?
This year DS1 approached me and basically asked if he came up with $200 could I contribute another $100 and he could get a switch for Christmas. I guess that could work. He’d use it and he’d be awesome at sharing. I have two issue though.
First, it would mean he’d spend ALL of his money. It would obliterate his savings and I don’t know if I really want him to do that. He’s 15 and there is no way we can pay for all of college for him (nor do we want to but that’s a post for another day). He needs to think long term! But he’s always spent every cent he earns usually immediately! It’s rare that he holds onto it so long.
Second, gaming is not my favorite priority for the kids. With our tiny budget it seems like an extraordinary expense out of step with our usual household expenses.
The only “gaming” we have right now is an iPad2 and a 3DS that DS1 owns (and shares always).
Now, one more wrinkle. DS2 wants the 2DS. I don’t understand why that’s more desirable than the 3DS but there it is. Otherwise I was thinking I could contribute “all” of DS1s money and “all” of DS2s money to buy the switch....(maybe requiring that they meet part of the cost???)
Still seems extravagant to me.
I do want even these big boys (15 and 11) to have a magical feeling about Christmas. I tend to go practical and educational but I do want to honor that feeling that one day a year we get things just for fun...
I couldn’t be more proud of them right now. DS1 is taking a very challenging course load and ADHD aside is excelling at it and putting so much effort into it. He’s the best oldest brother I could ever imagine. DS2 is similarly such a light in our house. He’s helpful, kind, and does whatever he is asked.
I want to gift them this, but I worry that it’s too expensive and that it is out of step with what we do in our family. We’re a low screen family usually.
It is interesting because I recognize as I read here that our current financial situation (lots of student loan debt) is a product of how expensive college is but my attitude and DHs attitude towards money is also a contributer. I want to be better about modeling and teaching my kids.
WWYD?