A Future Conflict?
My five year old daughter is so girlie. I am not sure where it comes from. She loves to wear dresses. I don't know how many times I've had to ask her to take off one of her good dresses when we are going to the park, or grocery shopping. She loves dolls, dress up clothes, princesses and all other girlie things. What she is really into right now though is jewelry.
She loves play jewelry, macramé, beads, pearls, chains, lockets, and even animal jewelry. She matches her necklaces with her outfits. She even has a macramé and bead necklace she has determined is appropriate to wear around home.
I don't mind her being so girlie. Now, it is kind of cute, and the jewelry is inexpensive. I do wonder, though, what kind of jewelry she will want as she gets older? Or will she develop a taste for designer clothing, or just stuff in general?
Our kids are young now, they go right along with the frugal lifestyle we have chosen. Will it continue into their teen years? Those of you, frugal types with older kids, I'd love to hear your experiences.
Labels:
frugal thoughts,
kids
9 comments:
I used to worry about that with my daughter, but you know what it seems to be developing into? A love of making pretty things. She will cross stitch for hours, is looking forward to me teaching her to sew and she adores all the little things she can make.
So all in all not too bad. (She is 8).
My daughter was ECSTATIC about a week ago when she found a pair of pink pants on clearance at Justice. They had originally been $30 and she bought them for $6.99! She was THRILLED! She's 13. ;)
Of course, she was spending HER money on them (gift card) so that could explain her frugality, but still, she does look at some items she likes (when I'm paying) and thinks it's ridiculous that they are so expensive and then decides she doesn't want them. Sometimes, I buy them anyway, just because one really nice outfit can do wonders for you. ;)
My oldest isn't much older than your oldest and he's a boy so that makes a big difference. But I think the fact that our kids aren't around a bunch of other materialistic kids will help curb those desires. My kids don't even know what "brand name" means.
But if you're training her to be frugal now, she will know that she can get all these items on sale, at thrift stores, auctions, etc. We love Birkenstocks and have not paid over $10/pair for our last four or five pairs (and they were brand new at the thrift store!) I can be as stylish/fashionable as the next girl and only spend a fraction of the money on the same clothes. It's all in the attitude, I think.
My sisters (in their 20's) like pretty things, a variety of clothing, jewelry, etc., but they buy most of it from thrift stores or outlets.
Thanks for all the encouragement! The latest installment of girlie girl: She reminded me this morning to put on ear rings and even picked out a pair that matched!
One thing I do know though is I'm going to have to take more interest in how to make some pretty things!
My oldest daughter is six and a true girlie, just like yours. We go to Good Will to thrift shop every Sunday. I may not be able to curb her hunger for fashion, but I sure will try to teacher her how to look great on a budget!
As a child, I was very "girlie," like your daughter. For me, that developed into a desire to dress in a modest fashion, covering most of my skin. And, while I grew out of the jewelry thing, all that practice means that I clean up pretty good.
Lauren
I think your example of frugal purchasing will have an impact on them as they become teens. My 13yo is very frugal with her allowance, she is better at pinching pennies than I am! She knows I will only provide the basics, any extras come out of her allowance, so she thinks very long and hard on her purchases. She is no diva, but she does like to look nice at school and have the same bling her friends do.
Now my baby girl, on the other hand, is all about pretty things, dresses, jewelry. I have never seen a child this young so enamored of pretty clothes and trinkets. I may be in trouble with this one. lol
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