My niece, Kendall, turns seven next month and the only thing she wants for her birthday is a Ninentendo DS.
This portable gaming system is about $150 and because of the high price tag, I asked my younger sister and parents if they want to purchase this gift together and it would be Kendall's one birthday gift. My younger sister said she's in. But my parents - specifically my mother - said absolutely not!
Her argument is that Kendall is just turning seven and it's way too much money to spend on such a young child. She accused me of spoiling Kendall by getting her what she wants no matter the price and referred to the $175 telescope she got for her birthday last year. Kendall's really into astronomy and I thought it was important to support her interest. She could be a future astronaut, for crying out loud! My mother also said I'm setting Kendall up to believe that she should get whatever she asks for.
My argument is that Kendall is a good girl; makes good grades and it's the only thing she's been asking for for months. She started talking about her birthday about three months ago! Yeah, it's pricey, but that's the going rate for game systems and that's what kids are into and have been into for years. I had an Atari 2600 when I was just one year older than Kendall. I have no idea how much it cost, but my parents bought it for me because it was hot and I wanted it. Kendall's no different from me at that age.
I talked with my older sister, Kendall's mother, about the DS. She said she doesn't have a problem with me purchasing the system for Kendall. That's all the go-ahead I need.
My husband and I don't have kids, so we feel it's OK to spend money on our nieces and nephews, to even spoil them. Isn't that what aunts and uncles are for anyway?
Kendall will be alright if she doesn't get the DS; her world won't come to end. But with the DS, her birthday will be even sweeter. And if I can have a part in putting a cute crooked smiled on my niece's face, then point me in the direction of the game.
What do you think? Is $150 too much to spend on a gaming system for a seven-year-old?
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4 comments:
I'm 35 years old and nobody has ever spent $150 on me for my birthday! Just kidding.
From one auntie to another--trust me the spoiling has only begun. I have a 17-year-old nephew and a 15-year old niece. Thankfully their parents have always tackled game systems, but I was happily left with the little extras like concert tickets. For my niece 16 is just around the corner and we're already planning her "White Party."
In the end, I say look at it like this-you're teaching them the value of sharing. So what if it's your extra change...
she didn't need it!
she didn't need it!
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