Comments on: What Is a Parent to Do About Children and Consumerism?

By: mother earth aka karen hanrahan

mother earth aka karen hanrahan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:05:06 +0000

I absolutely love this post. I had strong feelings about this while raising my own kids but didn’t have what it took to battle the relatives, or the ones who did most of the buying. I did encourage educational or useful gifting or college bonds. Which I have to say now that they are both in college was a very useful suggestion!! I can thank my parents for not allowing too much television when I was growing up. I had so little and still had little tolerance for it even now. Commercial abuse – nicely stated.

By: Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green

Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:47:02 +0000

I think my parents did a good job with my brother and I but it would be even harder now. My parents had an unsaid rule of no toys with batteries. We got toys that made us use our imagination. I had lots of dolls but they were just dolls. None of them cried or peed. My brother had army men and Ninja Turtles (which he didn’t like me using with my barbies).

Also my parents would almost always buy us books. Toys were pretty much only on Christmas and birthdays and we didn’t complain cause that’s how it had always been. We could however ask for books and almost always got them.

We had a Nintendo and tvs but time was limited as was what we watched. I think limited tv time can be key in all of this!

By: Diane MacEachern

Diane MacEachern — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:24:39 +0000

We were able to control consumerism when the kids were little in one simple way: we didn’t let them watch tv. We had so much else to do, there wouldn’t have been time anyway. If they needed to zone out for a little while, we’d put on a movie. But we just didn’t get up on Saturday morning and turn on cartoons (and commercials). If they’re not being bombarded by ads for whatz-itz and doo-dads, they don’t know to ask for them.

By: Yes, Cloth Diapers Are an Appropriate Holiday Gift | ecobabysteps

Yes, Cloth Diapers Are an Appropriate Holiday Gift | ecobabysteps — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:06:02 +0000

[...] of the keys to cutting down on unnecessary consumption is putting the focus on people’s needs. Give people what they need but either can’t buy or just [...]

By: Attached Mama

Attached Mama — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:25:29 +0000

Beth, it’s so interesting that you say that about McDonald’s. I was looking at company visions yesterday and came across theirs: “To be our customers’ favorite place and way to eat.” I found this quite surprisingly customer centered. Whatever they did, I guess it worked.

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:51:06 +0000

Marketing to kids certainly does go back pretty far. I actually have a really hard time resisting McDonald’s because it has become synonymous with comfort and family and childhood. No other fast food restaurant does that to me.

Nowadays it’s even worse with brands advertising in schools and branding everything they possibly can. It’s a bit overwhelming and depressing.

One things my parents did, however, was to make us work for every penny we earned. That’s what happens in the real world. It helps kids to understand the value of money and perhaps be less likely to waste it when they actually have to work for it.

By: Linda Anderson

Linda Anderson — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:05:20 +0000

Last weekend I was at a mall in Parkersburg, WV. There is a play area there that is sponsored by Coca Cola. The over-sized toys that the kids can climb into and over include a cupcake, a giant hot dog, and a spilled Coke! Talk about propaganda directed to young kids! What crap.

By: Local holiday consumption discussions & No Impact Man screenings | ecobabysteps

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:05:41 +0000

[...] you been talking about holiday consumption with people around you? Our post on children and consumerism sparked discussion on Twitter and Facebook. How about joining in the discussion locally as [...]

By: Forum on Food Marketing to Children | ecobabysteps

Forum on Food Marketing to Children | ecobabysteps — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:24:31 +0000

[...] our post last week on what parents can do about children and consumerism, I see crazy and questionable marketing to children everywhere. Granted, tis the season to sell to [...]

By: Green Bean

Green Bean — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:37:14 +0000

It is so difficult to combat the marketing aimed at our kids. Thank you for these helpful tips!