October 27, 2006

little tikes catalog

Today I was sorting through the mail and my son found a Little Tikes catalog. All of a sudden, I am being bombarded with catalogs. Usually this makes me very happy. I am a catalog/online shopper, especially around the holidays. But this year, it just frustrates me because I know there will be tons of cool things I want to get people and no funds to do so. I've been avoiding even looking at the catalogs.

Anyway, I digress. If I had been paying closer attention, I would have found a way to divert his attention from the catalog. It bugs me how much marketing is targeted at kids. Commercials, catalogs, cereal boxes...it teaches our kids to be greedy. But he found it and it is getting close to Christmas and all. I'm sure I'll have grandparents and the like asking what he would like for Christmas. So we looked through it together (many times) and on the second or third time through, I asked what his favorite thing was.

"All of it, mommy."

"Yes, I know you like all of it. But what is your favorite, favorite thing?"

"I need all of it."

Let me just add here that this was a catalog of the full line of Little Tikes stuff...or at least all the big ticket items. There is a Thomas the Train bed, a Cars movie bed, and FIVE other car beds. There are all the basketball hoops and baseball tees and football paraphenalia. (Hey, I just spelled that right on the first try! Yeah me!) There are also all (or a big number) of the big playhouses that they sell. And he needs all of it. All 7 beds plus everything else. Right...

Well, this set me into the mommy teaching a lesson mode. My child is not going to be greedy. Heaven forbid! So I decided to try to make him understand the difference between want and need. What was I thinking?!

"You know, son, you really just want all of it. We only need food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and clothes to wear." (I was trying to stay simple, gimme a break!)

"No, I need toys to play with."

"Okay, you need toys to play with but look at all these toys you already have. You just want more toys to play with."

"No, mommy. I need these new toys. Right here. These toys."

When he switches to the one or two word sentences, I know he has finished listening to me and will continue, in an increasing loud or whiny voice, until I concede and see his way. So, I cut my losses and tried another route.

"I understand you want those toys, buddy. Maybe we'll have to show Daddy and tell him you want them for Christmas."

"Need. Tell Daddy."

Oh, boy. I give up.

5 rays through the fog:

Darlene said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Darlene said...

I know what you mean about those catalogs. I got 3 yesterday and 4 soggy ones today myself. Two of them were for toy sales. Good thing I have grandchildren to think about.

I can't believe the holidays are just around the corner. It's not even Halloween yet and there are christmas decorations up in the stores. ugg!

Don't worry. We are blessed. And the grands are egar to please the little ones, And the big ones too.
Love, Mom

MommaMonkey said...

Oh, those catalogs are so much fun to look through and dream a little. I'm having such a hard time figuring out what to get Boo for Christmas, because his attention span to toys is like 30 seconds. He'd rather play with a cup, pots and pans, remotes, boxes, DVD cases, or bottles of lotion or shampoo. Or push all the buttons on the VCR and DVD player.

Plus, when you were a kd, didn't you need everything you wanted? That's the fun part about being a kid! You don't have to think about needs. Your mommy took care of all that!

Anonymous said...

Yeah... those catalogs can definately be dangerous! I guess it's good to start thinking about Christmas presents now though so you can spread the dough instead of trying to buy all the presents at once!

SO... what DOES he want for Christmas??

Mina

Barb said...

You might just as well give up. There's such a huge market targeted at kids, it's hopeless. I do applaud you for trying though. It's a neverending battle.

 
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