spending on "fashion"

Isabel

After my six month hiatus ( SYC ), I went a litttttle, crazy during the holidays and the post holiday sales. BTW, I am a stay at home mom.

My daughter ( 7 ) noticed I had on some new boots yesterday and said, " Don't you think it is time you get a job ? "

We had a budget talk and how daddy's money wasn't just "his"...also reminded her that she gets stuff all the time with "his" money !

15 years ago

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Haqha! Great story. Can I borrow your daughter to be my voice of reason sometimes?
Seriously though, great opportunity to have that conversation. You'll have fun reminding her of this one in 10 or 15 years!

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Good for you! Just because you dont work outside the home doesnt mean you dont have much more than a full-time job already!

15 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Kids are funny...I think that she is having some anxiety over the economy. I am only 1 of 2 SAHM who have not gotten jobs ( that we know ) as the economy tanks. She has been hearing many people say, " We can't afford that." She must wonder why that hasn't changed for us. We are very lucky and privileged. So I have been taking care of different children as their moms settle into new jobs and get their schedules straightened out.....and this must be affecting her but she doesn't have the words for it. So we talked about that too and what it means.

Michelle, just let me know when you want her !

15 years ago

Kim

Veteran

Pictures? (Of the outfits...LOL)

I was a SAHM for 15 years and my kids wondered out loud too why I didn't "work"?? Working would have been less work than homeschooling! LOL

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

too funny!
I remind my boys that I work darned hard around here for a pittance wage. Kim... I homeschooled for years as well... a TON of work!

15 years ago

Active Member

Oh, my 7 yr old son made a comment last week. I said something about "my" van and he says, "It's not really your van because it's Daddy's money." Oh boy, did we have a talk! It was more like a lecture, poor kid.

I also home school and there are days I tell my boys that they should pay me for letting them do their lessons while wearing pjs on the couch.

15 years ago

Patty

Veteran

That's the life my oldest son wants--homework on the couch in PJs and a drink with a little umbrella.
I am SAHM also but the kids go to public school---I give you home school moms big props!!!

15 years ago

Deb

Active Member

That is too funny - keep it handy for when she wants a car someday ...

Another funny kid story I heard today from our office manager, who works as a mother's helper on weekends: The 6-yr-old boy was helping her in the kitchen on Saturday morning when his Dad passed through, on his way to shovel snow. The little boy stopped what he was doing and demanded, "Are you wearing that jacket outside?" The Dad said yes, and went on his way. As soon as the door was closed, the boy asked the woman, "Are you ever going to get married?" She said maybe... and he responded, "Well, if you do, make sure you *never* marry a man who dresses like *that*!"

:-O

When I heard this story, I immediately flashed to The Satorialist - the kid's got a future!

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Ah bless and it seems like a good age to introduce the concepts of 'team work' and budgets to your daughter.

15 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Isabel, how precious!

And brutally honest, as children are. I am laughing so hard right now I may injure myself.
Your daughter is SCARY smart!

15 years ago

mumtojessandluke

Active Member

OMG LOL!!!
So funny! wowser.
I think I'd be so stunned if my kids came out with anything like that. I'd like to think that my kids know I make a valuable contribution to the house hold, both looking after them and DH, and earning a little bit too teaching. DH has a business, so I do 'work' almost every day, but it isn't paid- LOL. Amazing that your kids know that there is a 'daddy's' money and 'mummies' money. Our money is all together. My kids aren't that old yet, I've so much to look forward too!

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Oh, the little darlings! Enjoy your new goodies.

I was only 1 of 3 SAHM in the 80's in my kids kindergarten class..It is a privilege for sure

15 years ago

LoP

Veteran

This is a cute story, Isabel. Thank you for sharing. She must be hearing it at school as well.

15 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

kh - I try really hard to never refer to the car I drive as "mine", for exactly the reason that R&J said, that it is about "teamwork" - that is a great concept !

Patty - I am soooo with you. My kids attend public school. I have a hard enough time with homework. I really admire the women who home school.

Deb - that is, I think, one of the funniest stories I have ever heard about a little guy ! I can't wait to tell my husband.

MumtoJ&L - Yeah, we don't separate out our money either. When I first stopped working, I was really overcome with guilt ( I also help take care of my disabled sister and parents ) - like I wasn't bringing anything in ( monetarily ). Then it struck me that the reason my husband can do the job he does and travel and work late into the night, and on weekends, is because I don't work outside the home.

( Pictures coming soon ! )

15 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Isabel, too cute!

Deb, that little boy sounds like he's already a Mum!

Have been having an ongoing conversation with my kids on why they need to help with household chores when I am a SAHM, and 'it's your JOB, Mum!!".........

15 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Lynne - that is one of those "step back" moments, as I call them. It is really interesting to see how kids view this whole thing. When my girl was about 5, I mentioned, " when mommy worked", she literally shrieked, her eyes got wide, and she said, " you used to DO something ? "

15 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Poor thing - she must be worried about money because of her friends' situations. Good for her for being cognizant that THINGS COST MONEY. My five year old is pretty good about that already...some of the time! I hope you were able to reassure her.

15 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

MJP - yes, when I thought about it, I realized that she is definitely getting vibes that things are tough for many people we know. We think that they don't get things, but the are really clued in. I hope that I reassured her too. I also explained that so much of what we have is "gravy", things we don't really need to survive.

15 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

First, kudos to you and your hubby for working it out on a single income.

I love how others have referred to it as "teamwork." I don't have children but, growing up, that was never a guiding theme in our lives -- even though both of my parents worked, they always seemed to be pitted against one another as the Spender and the Saver.

I wonder if a part of your daughter's anxiety is also the ever-present pressure to be like everyone else? Or, rather, the idea that something is amiss if your family isn't like all the others? When I was very young, I remember wondering what was wrong that my mom "had to" work, while other moms didn't. I didn't understand that it was a choice my parents made until later.

15 years ago

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