Tuesday, June 12, 2007
WOMAN TO WOMAN--HAVING THE LATEST, GREATEST
It is Woman to Woman time. If you would like to participate please run on over to Seeds From My Garden and let Morning glory know you want to get in on the fun. Here is our topic for the day:
"Having the latest baby everything..."
This topic will be particularly relevant to today's young mothers. There is such a variety of baby products available in stores that it can be overwhelming. Add to that the pressure you often feel from your peers to have the latest and greatest of baby equipment. Add to that still the bombardment of products that promise to make your baby smarter, faster. When you want to be hip AND have those things that make mommying a little easier, how do you keep from breaking the budget?
For those women who are past the child-raising stage, do you have difficulty with these pressures in wanting to provide the "goodies" for the grandchildren? Do you see them as a hindrance towards a child's natural ability to develop? What were some ways that you were able to achieve similar benefits without all the bells and whistles?"
For those women who are past the child-raising stage, do you have difficulty with these pressures in wanting to provide the "goodies" for the grandchildren? Do you see them as a hindrance towards a child's natural ability to develop? What were some ways that you were able to achieve similar benefits without all the bells and whistles?"
"Having the latest baby everything..."
I have thought and thought about this topic. I have tried to remember what it was like to want "the latest baby everything" when my children were born and I have tried to relate to it as a grandmother. As I was about to come to the conclusion that I really don't have much to contribute, I happened to recall a family story.
This little story pretty much sums up how I have come to view the idea of needing the latest or most popular of anything. Granted, the story does not speak to such things as baby equipment, but it is an example of working with what you have, even without all the bells and whistles. My grandson, S Guy, who was five at the time, provided a real-life illustration of the concept of stepping out of the race for the latest brand name whatchamacallit-especially for children.
S Guy is a very creative and innovative child. He loves to draw and make things. While he was at our home for Thanksgiving we had a piece of furniture delivered. It came in a box. S immediately asked the delivery men if he could have the box. No child has ever been prouder of any toy than he was of that box. He entertained himself for the remainder of the weekend!
That box became a magnificent pirate ship. S got his dad, Kevin, to make him some swords out of cardboard. A piece of packing material became a pirate hat. He asked for something to use to "tie the boat to the dock." He and I went searching for something he could use for that. We agreed on one of Poppy's ties. Poppy was glad to donate one to the cause--He doesn't wear ties anymore and never did particularly like them!
When his family got ready to leave s wanted to take his ship with him. There were TEARS when his parents told him it had to stay at Grandmama's house. I suggested that his other grandmother, who lives next door to him, might have some cardboard. He tearfully assured me, "Nanny never has cardboard!"
Now, I know Nanny! First of all, girlfriend can SHOP--Something has to come in a box! More importantly, she would move heaven and earth to get cardboard for that little boy if he asked for it. But at that moment, he thought he would never see a cardboard box again. He was not a happy child as he left with this parents. I assured him the box would stay in the garage. It is still there, ready to become anything he wants it to be.
Is it necessary to have all the latest and greatest? Of course not. Is it OK to have it? I think it is, if it is reasonable to do so. Do most people have it all? I doubt it. I imagine most of us have quite often used the cardboard box philosophy--make do with what you have. After all, the old cardboard box can be anything you want it to be!
Pirate Boy
Note the "rope" that secures the ship to the "dock."
Pirate Boy in Hat
This little story pretty much sums up how I have come to view the idea of needing the latest or most popular of anything. Granted, the story does not speak to such things as baby equipment, but it is an example of working with what you have, even without all the bells and whistles. My grandson, S Guy, who was five at the time, provided a real-life illustration of the concept of stepping out of the race for the latest brand name whatchamacallit-especially for children.
S Guy is a very creative and innovative child. He loves to draw and make things. While he was at our home for Thanksgiving we had a piece of furniture delivered. It came in a box. S immediately asked the delivery men if he could have the box. No child has ever been prouder of any toy than he was of that box. He entertained himself for the remainder of the weekend!
That box became a magnificent pirate ship. S got his dad, Kevin, to make him some swords out of cardboard. A piece of packing material became a pirate hat. He asked for something to use to "tie the boat to the dock." He and I went searching for something he could use for that. We agreed on one of Poppy's ties. Poppy was glad to donate one to the cause--He doesn't wear ties anymore and never did particularly like them!
When his family got ready to leave s wanted to take his ship with him. There were TEARS when his parents told him it had to stay at Grandmama's house. I suggested that his other grandmother, who lives next door to him, might have some cardboard. He tearfully assured me, "Nanny never has cardboard!"
Now, I know Nanny! First of all, girlfriend can SHOP--Something has to come in a box! More importantly, she would move heaven and earth to get cardboard for that little boy if he asked for it. But at that moment, he thought he would never see a cardboard box again. He was not a happy child as he left with this parents. I assured him the box would stay in the garage. It is still there, ready to become anything he wants it to be.
Is it necessary to have all the latest and greatest? Of course not. Is it OK to have it? I think it is, if it is reasonable to do so. Do most people have it all? I doubt it. I imagine most of us have quite often used the cardboard box philosophy--make do with what you have. After all, the old cardboard box can be anything you want it to be!
Here's Pirate S Guy to prove it!
Pirate Boy
Note the "rope" that secures the ship to the "dock."
Pirate Boy in HatLabels: Family, Grandchild Fun, Woman to Woman
11 Comments:
I'm glad you remembered this story because it goes along with the theme perfectly. I know how magical cardboard boxes can be -- my grandchildren have enjoyed them. Thanks for getting your thoughts in print!
What a handsome little pirate! He sounds like he's cut from the same cloth as my son...we've been pirates & crew for over a year now.
Enjoyed your post!
Absolutely delightful post! You have a "precious pirate" (but he probably wants to be a "fierce pirate!")
xo
Cute story and I totally agree. My children loved to play in a box---- all 4 of them at different times.
Susan
Myrna - You would think that by now some genius would have thought about making cardboard boxes for kids!! It seems to be the universal favorite toy!!
It's funny - we know better really, but somehow we just think our precious little ones have to have everything. And really they are content with very little - as long as they are loved.
Great post.
Myrna,,,,,,what a handsome pirate....would give Johnny Depp a run for his money...
I selected you for the meme 'I Dream...' in the sense of dreams coming true...
I posted mine tonight and I hope you will participate....Thanks Betty
There's been many a time my kids have enjoyed the box a toy came in much more than the toy itself.
What a terrific post!! I have to remove boxes at naptime or else our house would be filled with them!
My children have always preferred the box to its contents! I recently did a blog review of a sweet little children's book about this very thing.
Thanks for participating!
What a cute little pirate! Boxes make such fun toys. It looks like your son has a wonderful imagination!
Kelli
I just love the wonderful 'reality' in children' minds!
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