Cost of Family Outings

[Laurie919]

I would have made my daughter save up for it, in a consumerist, debt filled society the greatest gift any parent can give their child is how to be financially responsible.

She didn't ask for it. I just saw it in her eyes and wanted to give it to her.

She did buy herself one a couple weeks ago. She isn't as quick to spend money now that she is working for it.

 

[Tawny]

I find that too with Kirsty, she is 9 now and she earns her pocket money by doing jobs round the house like tidying her room, making her bed, putting the laundry away, washing up etc.

I too buy things for her just to make her light up. I know what you mean, and believe me I know you are not being offensive to people. I work hard to give her the things she wants as well as all the love she needs, I go without myself for her, and if I do buy myself clothes etc they are from budget shops and usually once or twice a year. I then feel guilty for not spending the money on her.

We all live within our means (well try too) I work hard to provide for Kirsty, I am in a tough boat, here in the UK, an awful lot is blamed on 'broken homes' and 'single parent families'. Some condemn me for going out to work and not being at home when she finishes school (she goes to a childminder) saying I am not giving her enough attention. On th other hand, if I gave up work and lived on benefits, I would be condemned for being a bad example, 'sponging off the state' and not showing a good work ethic.

 

[Laurie919]

I find that too with Kirsty, she is 9 now and she earns her pocket money by doing jobs round the house like tidying her room, making her bed, putting the laundry away, washing up etc.

Taylor actually got a little job at a snowball/snowcone stand. She makes $5 an hour works 3 days a week 7 five hours a day. The only perk of her job is that she gets all the snocones she wants free.

Since it is working with money I would never let her do it alone. So, I go sit there with her and read a book while she is working.

Then she has her lawn service, it has gone down to about 3 yards, so she isn't making as much but she is still trying.

So at least I know that I am teaching her something right.

 

[AJ29]

I find this really funny!

Taylor didn't ask for a new purse, so you bought it for her... yet she bought herself a new purse just a week or so ago... I mean, seriously, how many purses does a 10 (?) year old need?!

Ok - you give where you can and you say you want to do the 10/10/80 thing... yet you buy a new purse for a child who already has a new purse?!! I don't get it!

That new purse money could have been put to better use - either given as cash, saved for a rainy day, or even to have bought a purse for someone FAR less fortunate who doesn't have the luxury of new stuff every week.

Ok, ok, I get it. You don't splurge on yourself. You certainly do an awful lot of splurging on your daughter - more than many families could ever dream of splurging!!

God will provide, sure. I pray that you don't end up under a bridge with nothing, but I also know that God calls us to be wise (good stewards). Spending money willy nilly is not being a good steward. It is not being wise.

I know about God being a provider. I know that when I have done the right things (ie - the wise things), I have never lacked. If you want God's blessings, you have to put yourself in a good position for receiving - that means using wisdom.

If you enjoy seeing Taylor's face light up, help her get to know Jesus. I have never seen peoples' faces light up more than when they are worshipping their saviour.

I really do consider the way you spend your money to be foolish and wasteful - sure, I don't know you, so my opinion is only based on what you say on these boards. I totally understand why people take offence to your posts. Many people have to work hard to make ends meet (which I consider to be them using wisdom), yet you complain of no savings and not being able to live according to 10/10/80 except in the good times (the point of 10/10/80 is to get you through the hard times!!).

You COULD do 10/10/80 if you stopped all your willy nilly wasteful, splurging and indulging!!

But hey... that's just my opinion!

 

[AJ29]

I don't mean that Taylor doesn't know Jesus at all, I simply meant help her get to know him better (reading back, that wasn't entirely clear - the way I worded it, could have been taken either way).

I would be really surprised if Taylor doesn't know Jesus (at all) - I assume that she does. What I meant was to see her face light up in "active" worship would be the ultimate face-lighting experience. That is certainly my experience with my own children, and other children I know.

To me, worship is different to just quoting scripture or saying prayers. Worship goes to the "next level". There is every possibility that Taylor already does that - I just imagine that to be the best thing to watch as a parent - even greater than the smiles and twinkles in eyes at Christmas or on birthdays.

I think it is about finding true joy, not just fleeting moments of happiness.

Does that make better sense?

 

[AJ29]

It is less insulting like that.

Phew!! Thats a relief!
I wasn't meaning to insult you!
I do hope that what I say helps you in some way.

I don't think you are a bad person at all Laurie. I just think that you need to find the right balance - as we all do! You just post about stuff more than some of us do, so it opens you up to more of our questioning!