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?
