Hooray for Friday!! Here is another Aloha Friday from Kailani of An Island's Life! Just answer this short easy question - you can even skip my long post if you want, I won't mind :)
Wow, my title sounds terrible. Since I am from a rural part of the country, this reminds me of branding cattle.
But to some people buying children name brand toys/clothes/books (like Disney princess or Star Wars) is just as bad as cattle branding. Once you start introducing the idea of buying things in themes they grow up to be consumerist, not happy unless they have the "cool" version of an item.
I grew up pretty poor - food stamps and such. I had Wal-Mart shoes and plain t shirts to wear. My backpack was plain colored and my crayons were the cheaper simple kind, without the sharpener on the back. But I also grew up learning that I didn't have to pay 20 cents more to have Lisa Frank pencils or folders. I was (mostly) content with what I had and today I am totally content wearing plain shirts and cleaning with vinegar (better for the environment - bonus!!)
To save money I went back to our VCR (VHS tapes = cheap!) and Lizzie has been watching Disney movies. Now she is in love with Belle, Snow White, and Cinderella. I have enjoyed her joy at wearing her 1 Disney princess nightgown and purchased Disney princess books at garage sales (if she loves the pictures, she'll love to read, right?) She isn't spoiled - she doesn't get something at the store very often, and doesn't throw a fit to get stuff when we go shopping. But she still knows what she loves - Disney princess, and Thomas the Train.
Have I introduced her to consumerism too soon?
I don't think so. I think it is part of our culture and I need to teach her how to enjoy the fun things in life with balance and responsibility. I can't protect her from it, but I can teach her how to discern between wants and needs and how to handle her desires.
Your Aloha Friday question:
What do you think of Child Branding/Marketing?
Do you purchase name brand (Disney Princess, Thomas the Train, etc) for your children/grandchildren/friends?
17 comments:
Yes, I buy name brand stuff, but it also makes me sad. My son loves to dress up in costumes, but his favorites are movie characters. He just looks at me like I'm crazy if I suggest he put on old clothes and be a hobo or a clown. The name brand stuff really helps to limit their creativity (in my opinion).
I did. Lots of Barney, (this was 15-20 yrs ago btw), Disney, etc. BUT...big but...It was a treat most times. And my kids turned out pretty well and frugal. Although the last 2 years in a recession and little $$ has also helped instill that value, lol
Sounds like you're a great mom!
Yes when they were young I did.
I grew up poor too. There is a secret that the people who only buy their kids expensive brands don't know- that kids are happier and more likely to think outside the box when they have to make their own or do without. :)
I buy my kids some name brands. If I can find them on sale for cheaper than WalMart! Lol! I would never spend more money on something (that I can find the same quality and style of in WalMart) just because it says Baby Gap on the tag. However, if I go yard saling or go in the Carter's store with a coupon on sale day I can get stuff for cheaper than I could in WalMart or the same price and it's better quality, so I will. For Christmas and birthdays we might get something that has Dora on it over soemthing that does not, disregarding price, for my daughter (my son is too young to care), but that's about it. Usually it's just what's the best deal for the money, and I hate to say it but those character toys and clothes are just not made any better than Faded Glory stuff from WalMart.
I think that the point really is not to make a big deal of brands. If you're always going,
"Oh my look at this (insert $$ brand and item... 'Gymboree dress,' etc.)! Isn't it CUTE?!"
every time you're going shopping, you're brainwashing your child that particular brands make things cuter. If you're always buying certain brands your child will naturally be partial to them. If you only buy expensive things your child will pick up on it. "More is caught than is taught" applies to brands as well. If your child sees you making decisions based on practicality more than brand, it will help to influence them to do the same. I don't think popular brands are bad, but I do think idolizing popular brands by preferring them over something that makes more practical sense is bad.
That's my 2-cents. ;)
We have always bought whatever was better quality. Some store brand things are better, and some name brand things are better.
I'm a bit of a Disney nut....they called me Tinkerbell since I was a kid. That being said, I'm sure my little one will grow up loving Disney........but we really don't buy her that many toys (we rotate what she gets for birthdays and Christmas)....she loves to read. But she's 2, so we really don't have any issues YET.
For Christmas we tend to buy only 1 or 2 bigger items that will last forever....instead of many many smaller items. In the end I think we spend less than other friends we know.
I do let my kids have some things with brands -- it doesn't really bother me. But I refuse to pay outrageous prices for the things -- we shop second hand and garage sales mostly. And I make it clear to my kids that "brands" are not the end all and be all!
I don't mind child brands but I don't have the money to spend on brand name things. they are alot more expensive and I want food in my pantry.
If there's something I can buy, I will, but I'm not a brand nut.
And I agree with you about teaching your child how to enjoy the fun thigns with balance and responsibility.
Of course I want stuff, and wouldn't mind my kids having the stuff they'll want, but do they need it? no.
we have a few "brand" specific items, but I just buy whatever I think my sons will like the best. We have more little people, fisher price that kind of item than Disney, Thomas and what not
I purchase both brand names and non-brand names. Sometimes it's worth it to pay extra for brand names I know we like. However, I've also found store brands that are more affordable and just as good :)
♥ Happy Friday! ♥
It depends...
Not everything is name brand, but not all is generic! It depends on the item!
Thanks for visiting my blog...
KSU..... I worked in a bar that had KSU alumni... as well as KU... Talk about fun times when they played each other!
i am totally for functional and economical shopping if i can get a brand name on sale i will but it's not a must we are raising 4 kids on 1 income over here so it's all about the deals. :)
For my family...it is always a healthy balance. I do buy them name brand clothing and items like Disney Princess but it is always done when it is on sale or on clearance. On the other hand we also have worn clothes and accessories from the .99 cent store. Hey if it's cute and only .99 why not?
My point is that I try to make them see that it is not the price tag but the person wearing it that makes the clothes.
They are 6 and so far have never "begged" for Roxy, or any other name so we are so far so good.
ooops! by the way...Thanks for the fun and for stopping by The IE Mommy today!
I buy whatever is clearanced. LOL
I like a balance between the two, only because there are some brands that are popular for a reason: good quality. But, there are great generics out there as well!
Sure but my kids don't watch commercials. They don't have the patience for it. lol
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