OP, you're crazy.

- signed a book lover

Geez lady. Buy Cat in the Hat, Big Red Barn, the Belly Button Book, you're set till the kid is like 18 months old.

Lucky you, you've received a ton of books as gifts. Lucky you, your library sales have great books. The point is, that although OP's husband disagrees, it is not unusual to have $200 worth of childrens books in your home.

My library sales are full of 1980s self help and mildewy junk. We didn't receive a lot of books as gifts. I do go to a lot of garage sales for books. But to pretend it's so outrageous to own $200 in kids books is sad. And bizarre.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My kid's development will benefit for years to come because of having books in our home.

Team op.

Your kid didn’t need those books at minus 3 months, or even $200 in books a year later. OP needs to prioritize; yeah hormones, but at least recognize that you’re not thinking straight.

I'm very surprised that so many people here are opposed to having a lot of books for babies, toddlers and young kids. In fact, I don't actually believe that you people don't/didn't have books in your homes for your babies. If you truly believe it's best to not have books around, then you must be woefully uneducated. Are you?

I think op has just played you all: you're SO invested in being anti-op, that you've declared books are unimportant or unnecessary. Lol.

I think you’re missing the point. My house is overflowing with books for my kids we got as gifts, hand me downs, library sales etc etc etc. I’d say I’ve spent less than $50 total on books and only $5 on new books (got one on potty training). There is no need to spend so much time and money on books for a baby much less an unborn one.

But I do think OP is a troll

Anonymous wrote:

My kid's development will benefit for years to come because of having books in our home.

Team op.

Your kid didn’t need those books at minus 3 months, or even $200 in books a year later. OP needs to prioritize; yeah hormones, but at least recognize that you’re not thinking straight.

I'm very surprised that so many people here are opposed to having a lot of books for babies, toddlers and young kids. In fact, I don't actually believe that you people don't/didn't have books in your homes for your babies. If you truly believe it's best to not have books around, then you must be woefully uneducated. Are you?

I think op has just played you all: you're SO invested in being anti-op, that you've declared books are unimportant or unnecessary. Lol.

This post is beautifully crafted, troll or not. The fact that you are spending $200 on books to read to an unborn child is great. I suspect your husband would have preferred to spend much less on the books but compromised at $200 thinking you were being irresponsible to begin with. You reinforced this belief when you overspent. My advice is accept the limit then spend less. Read all those books multiple times to your unborn child. If you believe your child is bored with these books quietly borrow new ones from the library. Unless your unborn is one of the extremely gifted ones (which may be an issue given you post on this forum) they won't know the difference.

My kid's development will benefit for years to come because of having books in our home.

Team op.

Your kid didn’t need those books at minus 3 months, or even $200 in books a year later. OP needs to prioritize; yeah hormones, but at least recognize that you’re not thinking straight.

Isn't "Hooked-on Phonics" much cheaper than $200?

get a library card

Anonymous wrote:I am not a fan of separate accounts. I think it makes it harder for the couple to keep track of the big financial picture and manage that. Add hormones and soon, a third member of the family, and suddenly you're arguing over $5 - why make it so hard for yourself?

This. My DW is a SAHM, on occasion she will say do you mind if I spend $X on Y item. She catches herself because she knows my reaction is spend whatever you want on whatever you want. I married her because I trust her. If she wants to empty the checking account on a luxury car, fine, just know that money can not be replaced overnight.

We have spent over $200 on books for our 2yo, but we spent nothing before he even born. OP, wait to see what books your baby receives as gifts, why baby gets free from the DC library, and then supplement with what you think is important. We ask for books as bday gifts from everyone instead of toys. I've bought really detailed animal books for my toddler because he is obsessed with animals, as well as books by illustrators that he already loves. You will be able to make more informed book buying decisions when baby is here.

I do think it's important to discuss what books to buy with your partner.
But your husband is crazy if he is going to nickel and dime you over $5. Just wait until baby is here....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I just wanted to say that when my son was a baby, my dh and I got into an argument about books. It was the most bizarre thing for him to get pissy about. I can't even explain how perplexing it was to be that he would choose this to put his foot down about. I was being thrifty with everything, where's he was the one lobbying for the most expensive baby seat and crib mattress, yet he got all huffy about books. I told him that as ds gets older, the library will be a good option, but I wanted a nice collection for around the house. He eventually dropped the subject.

Op, just so you know for the future, my son is now 6. We get tons of books at garage sales and also new. But mostly from the library. I'm still glad we had lots of new books in our home when he was a baby and toddler.

You find it perplexing that your husband wanted to spend money on items direct.y related to your child’s health and safety, rather than on unessary luxuries like books?


This board never fails to surprise me.

Pp here. What are you even talking about? My husband wanted the most expensive baby seat (baby bouncer) and crib mattress. Top of the line baby bouncers and crib mattresses are unnecessary luxuries. You think that's more important than books, good for you. My kid's development will benefit for years to come because of having books in our home.

Team op.

Thank you PP! OP here. He apologized and we talked. All is well now he never meant to hurt my feelings and explained his POV and I can see my own short comings. All is well and just ordered a few more books .

Anonymous wrote:Spending $200. on books for a child is crazy. Who does something like that? Better apologize, he’s right and your wrong.

Depends on what the SES of the OP is. $200 is not a lot to spend on something for the baby. Still the fact that the DH said that she has to pay for it and that it went $5 more than he wanted to pay is very very uneducated low class. He is certainly not a great provider. Sounds like a real loser and a control freak.

Oh my god. Want some free books? I can’t wait to toss half the books my kids never look at

Lady go to friends of the library next to Katz.

For $200 you could have had close to 100 kids books.

Return that stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I just wanted to say that when my son was a baby, my dh and I got into an argument about books. It was the most bizarre thing for him to get pissy about. I can't even explain how perplexing it was to be that he would choose this to put his foot down about. I was being thrifty with everything, where's he was the one lobbying for the most expensive baby seat and crib mattress, yet he got all huffy about books. I told him that as ds gets older, the library will be a good option, but I wanted a nice collection for around the house. He eventually dropped the subject.

Op, just so you know for the future, my son is now 6. We get tons of books at garage sales and also new. But mostly from the library. I'm still glad we had lots of new books in our home when he was a baby and toddler.

You find it perplexing that your husband wanted to spend money on items direct.y related to your child’s health and safety, rather than on unessary luxuries like books?


This board never fails to surprise me.

Pp here. What are you even talking about? My husband wanted the most expensive baby seat (baby bouncer) and crib mattress. Top of the line baby bouncers and crib mattresses are unnecessary luxuries. You think that's more important than books, good for you. My kid's development will benefit for years to come because of having books in our home.

Team op.