HELP : Mother-in-Law at Xmas!

elona

Bargain bunny
you must be so proud of your little boy.

jellyhead

thanks, i am. he's very caring and not at all greedy. but he's right, he does have too much stuff, he's an only child with lots of adult relatives wanting to spoil him. he's also a little bit autistic and doesn't actually want anything new, he likes his old stuff and doesn't like change (except for new board games or playstation games lol!). he doesn't value material things highly and prefers to spend his money on temporary entertainments such as cinema and theme parks, he sees the value in days out (even free things such as adventure playgrounds) and having fun with people he loves which i think is a very good thing.

he gave his pocket money to the RSPCA once, that was nice. he's always affected by charity adverts on TV. we have £2 a month subs to a few charities. his friends at school think he's mad though, they don't understand why he gives some of his money away, especially when we only give him £2 a week where most of his friends get £5 or more. i got total disbelief at school when i explained to the year 5 class i help in about the oxfam charity gift scheme (where you buy a goat etc. for somebody in need instead of a gift for granny and they send her a card saying that you've done it). the 9/10 year olds thought it was a horrible idea and that the recipient of the card would be angry that instead of a gift they got a card saying you'd given the money to oxfam instead. i don't suppose that any of their parents give anything to charity. i think it's sad that in todays world where most people have everything they could ever need or want that they still want more. maybe my poor upbringing has done that, made me value things more and see the difference between 'need' and 'want'

anyway, enough of my babbling :-) i hope you all had a lovely christmas and did what you wanted at least for some of the time :-)

elona

Bargain bunny

I am surprised a class of 10 year olds were so mercenary usually it is children who are the most idealistic.

Don't let it get you down as sensitivity is one thing that cannot be bought. If it could certain people would not want it anyway.

jellyhead

maybe it's just the run up to christmas, everyone's greed goes into overdrive?

margaretclare

Hi all

Caterina, thanks you so much for the hugs and kind words. I've been feeling a little fragile these last few days and appreciate the kindness.

Re giving: how lovely to be bringing up a child whose heart is in the right place and who is sensitive to the needs of others.

Children do not really need huge amounts of toys. We had very few, and we still grew up without feeling hard-done-by! I could never get enough books to read, but nowadays everyone has access to a library.

Re Oxfam: they are appealing for good-quality goods to sell (not jumble). I have some books and video films ready to take down to the local Oxfam shop later. They're also appealing for more volunteers to staff their shops - a few hours a week only, surely more people could do that. Christian Aid also do the JustGifts scheme where you give a goat or chickens or something. As a granny I wouldn't mind being given a card saying some family had been given a goat in my name - I'd feel warm and pleased that I had someone in the family who thought of others rather than self, self, self. After all, as a granny you have most things, and often it's hard to think what to buy them! A set of Bridget Jones style knickers or some awful old-fashioned slippers - no, I'd rather have a goat!!

The need for relief is going to go on a long, long time after the immediate crisis, so everyone can do something.

With love to all

Aunty Margaret

elona

Margaret Clare

I am sorry you have been feeling a bit fragile and please take care of yourself - we need you to help us keep things in perspective.

Big Hug from us all