Spill the beans..

Lunar_Eclipse

compforus wrote: »

Last year we spent £5. He had two games from a charity shop. Any money we were given we then spent on warm clothes for him. He was one very unhappy child.

...I can thank the tenants who lived in my flat, didn't pay the rent and then did a runner for that... if only they realised the consequences.

...bitter, me?

Will things be any different this year?

If I knew you in real life, I would have bought your son a present for Xmas last year. Did you not have any friends who realised how dire your finances were and wanted to help make Christmas a bit more special/normal for your son?

This has just reminded me that two years ago a parent in one of my daughter's classes at school went bankrupt (both parents worked together in their own business) and she broke her leg in Nov/December. It was a very stressful time for the family, whose sole focus was keeping their house. I offered to buy stocking fillers for her three girls, which she gladly accepted. I probably spent around £30, but was pleased to have helped them out. I think that is what the Christmas Spirit is really about. Apt to write that on Thanksgiving! I hope things are better for you now.:)

moomoomama27

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

This has just reminded me that two years ago a parent in one of my daughter's classes at school went bankrupt (both parents worked together in their own business) and she broke her leg in Nov/December. It was a very stressful time for the family, whose sole focus was keeping their house. I offered to buy stocking fillers for her three girls, which she gladly accepted. I probably spent around £30, but was pleased to have helped them out. I think that is what the Christmas Spirit is really about. Apt to write that on Thanksgiving! I hope things are better for you now.:)

How kind of you! Reading things like that restores my faith in mankind!

thumperrabbit

I have 4 kids ages 19, 18, 16 and 14. We will spend about £400 on each this year but try and make them useful items that we would end up having to buy them anyway. e.g laptop for Uni etc.

Lunar_Eclipse

moomoomama27 wrote: »

Reading things like that restores my faith in mankind!

Good!

I think it's so easy to lose faith, but know that a positive outlook and a smile works wonders. I try hard, but fail miserably on a daily basis, especially in the eyes of one of my children at the moment.;)

sunrise27_2

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

sunrise27 wrote: »

I do have to agree about tv's for young children , my children had to wait until they were in year six until they had a tv in their bedroom and at 13 they were allowed cable tv [/QUOTE


Really like the way you handled the Uggs purchase, but laughed at the above, because I think Y6 (10/11) is really young to have a TV in the bedroom!:D

but much better than a tv in their room at three or four lol and there weren't many channels on it as they didn't have cable on it and they were limited to time watching it
funny how we've all got different ideas but as long as our children all end up as good well rounded adults then we'll be happy x x x

rozeepozee

We don't even have a TV for the adults! :rotfl:

Lunar_Eclipse

rozeepozee wrote: »

We don't even have a TV for the adults! :rotfl:

I wouldn't through choice either. We didn't have one for 3 months (it broke in August and was fixed last week) and nobody missed it much. Root of all (consumerist) evil!:D

smk77

pippitypip wrote: »

OK, I know I'm going to sound really rude and I honestly don't mean to be, but why does a 3 year old need their own TV? Let alone a new TV for xmas?
pippitypip

It means the 3 year old can still have a baby sitter whilst mum is watching Jeremy Kyle...

Ok, that was rude but I too have no idea why a 3 yr old needs TV of their own...and I have a 3 year old!

rozeepozee

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I wouldn't through choice either. We didn't have one for 3 months (it broke in August and was fixed last week) and nobody missed it much. Root of all (consumerist) evil!:D

I think it's a bit of corrupter too. When we did have one, my son didn't watch any commercial channels but there's that much merchandising even with the BBC, it's nearly as bad. We've taught him about advertising, how it makes you buy things you don't need, and try and limit what we buy for him generally. New toys and clothes are very much a rareity around here.

mrshassall1987

smk77 wrote: »

It means the 3 year old can still have a baby sitter whilst mum is watching Jeremy Kyle...

Ok, that was rude but I too have no idea why a 3 yr old needs TV of their own...and I have a 3 year old!

There is a TV in my little boys room (he's nearly 3) simply because there is nowhere else to put it and I am saving it for when he starts using his v tech learning games. Doesn't even have an aerial attached to it lol. Think it would need a freeview box anyway and I have no intention of buying him one!