How much new stuff are you buying your kids?

[Anonymous]

I’m averaging one or two new things delivered by Amazon per week just to entertain them. I feel like it is such a bad precedent to set, although I do make them donate something old every time something new arrives. I feel so bad for them that we can’t go out and do anything, take vacations, see friends, and I guess this is how I’m compensating. Is this a terrible message to be sending? Wondering if others are doing the same. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The only new things I've bought are craft supplies because they are going through them like wildfire, and some outdoor toys like a new sprinkler and cornhole/ring toss-like games.

[Anonymous]

A dozen books.
Clothing replaced as needed.
Video game add-ons.
One coloring book.

For two tweens.

[Anonymous]

Soccer shoes. DC is not big on making things and we already have enough crap.
So glad for video games since ti's not stuff.

[Anonymous]

I’m not buying them that much new stuff. They have enough long lost toys to entertain themselves.

[Anonymous]

I am keeping the Lego store in business.

[Anonymous]

Don't beat yourself up about it. It's perfectly fine as long as you can afford it. I think a lot of us took the Little House on the Prairie books a little too much to heart and have this subconscious feeling that our kids should be devoutly grateful for an orange at Christmas and if they are so lucky as to be given like 6 buttons OF COURSE they should immediately create a button string and give it to their younger sibling (or nowadays, you know, donate it to the Less Fortunate). I mean, yes to philosophical conversations about consumerist society, buying local, etc... but treating your kids to some new toys a little more frequently during a pandemic is neither crazy nor morally problematic.

Signed, someone who 5mins ago bought their toddler a water sprayer shaped like a 3 ft watermelon via the Target app because we can't go to Dutch Wonderland this summer but hell yes I can at least buy this thing.

[Anonymous]

I’m buying more now because I have to go back to the office and there’s no camp. Want my kid to have something to do.

[Anonymous]

We’ve gotten a subscription box and a few kid magazines.

[Anonymous]

I am buying a lot.

Nintendo switch.
Animal crossing.
craft kits
water guns
nerf guns
targets
etc.
etc.
etc.

[Anonymous]

Mine are older. I got a large plastic pool and some resistance bands. Sometimes DD will order a movie from Amazon, which is fine. If I am at Aldi or Lidl and they have something cute in their special offering I might get it. The other day I bought a storage basket that was 4.99 for dd. DS gets steaks, I am not sure that counts, I mean that is food.

[Anonymous]

A decent amount. kids are 10 & 13

Movies, snap circuits arcade, escape room/challenge puzzles, gravitrax add-ons, books, chalk, art stuff, clothes, a better badminton net

I'm still spending less then when we were always out doing stuff.

[Anonymous]

I certainly went way overboard supporting our local, independent toy store that was delivering. We spent more on legos, outdoor toys and craft supplies than one kid’s summer camp. However, we did have 2 spring birthdays and explained the $$$ that would have gone to the party went to extra lego sets this year. Worried they may expect it next year too.

We still have 3/4 of the stuff hidden in the garage and will slowly dole it out this summer.

I feel the same way as you op. We can’t go to camp, we can’t see our friends, we can’t go to Sesame Place or our planned summer vacation, but at least I can give them the $200 lego train they’ve been eying for a year or more!

[Anonymous]

Nothing. Ages 15 and 18.

[Anonymous]

Just novels and extra craft supplies for them to entertain themselves. They have enough toys and I agree that's a terrible precedent.