4 Things Your Kids Truly DON’T Need!

Karen duBarry, a writer at the blog For Every Mom, has it all figured out. She's been through the lists of all those things we're supposed to need for our kids and she's sharing a secret: you realyl don't need all that stuff!

If that's not a relief to you now, it will be the morning after your kid's first Christmas.

Here's what she has to say:

We’ve all seen long lists of what it takes (and the cost) to raise children. Those lists can be overwhelming. We start to wonder what our children need and whether we’re actually providing those things.
Here are a few things I think children do NOT need:
-They absolutely do not need hundreds of toys that light up, play “music” or require batteries.

-They do not need the latest gadget, just because you know someone else (“everyone” else?) who has one.

-They do not need many different pricey outfits, all color-coordinated from charming boutiques with French names.

-They do not need expensive “enrichment” activities every night of the week.

 

So, if you’re looking at a list longer than your arm of the toys the child thinks she needs for Christmas, or you’re watching your friends buy their kids the latest gadget but your family budget won’t stretch to that this year, or you’re feeling guilty because you didn’t sign your kid up for the children’s choir so they could sing a miniature version of Handel’s Messiah while their grandparents oohed and ahhed over them … well, you have my permission to stop feeling guilty.
There are only a few things kids really need, and most of them don’t cost too much money. They may cost more of our time, or some of our sense of safety, but in the end those things may be a small price to pay.

—They need time with their parents and siblings. They need to play outside. They need to go to a zoo. They need to visit a farm (if they’re city kids) or the city (if they’re rural). They should visit an art museum or two. They need to see a great body of water. They need to get messy. They need to go swimming. They need to walk quietly on a nature trail. They need cuddling and tickling, joking and gentle teasing. They need to be around many different kinds, types and ages of people. They need grandparents or great-grandparents or an older family friend to spend time with.

—They need books. They need adults to read to them. They need to read to each other. They need books to admire and funny books to laugh at. They need rhymes to jingle in their minds. They need familiar characters who are just like family and historical figures who inspire. They need tall tales and small creatures who make a big difference.

Thank goodness! In all seriousness, society's stance on material objects has really made me question whether or not my children could develop appropriately without all the battery powered educational toys from VTech and Fisher Price.

But, are we sure they don't need those cute monogrammed smocked rompers for their Easter photos?  I'm getting them anyway.

So what else do your kiddos really need? Karen argues that things like sleep (if only!) and clothes they can actually get dirty top the list.  To find out what else your kids need and what they can live without, check out For Every Mom.