(rated PG)
I
’m not typically one to spread
rumours, but I’ve been hearing the
same one for quite some time, so I
think it’s probably OK to share. I mean,
you guys aren’t the kind to gossip, right?
Great! Lean in.
So, I’ve heard it on good authority
that it’s OK to stop spending all that
money on entertainment for your kids.
Yup, you heard right. Nobody from the
Parenting Police will pay you a visit if you
decide right here and now to put your
wallet away when it comes to your kids’
entertainment needs. Seriously. Isn’t that
the best rumour ever?
Look, I know it sounds insane. I mean,
even I refused to believe it at first. But I’ve
tried it and it’s all true – although there
is an accompanying caveat: You can
definitely stop the spending, but you are
required to replace it with something
else – your time. I know, I know, time
isn’t something you have in abundance
right now; in fact, you barely have time
to even look at a clock. I hear you loud
and clear, but I’m telling you this deal is
worth taking. Think of the savings for you
and your family. No more spending on
phones, consoles or tablets. No need to
feel pressured into keeping your child
up to date with the latest and greatest
device. That stuff adds up!
But it’s not just about the financial
gains. Oh no! This little change in your
lifestyle could significantly increase your
happiness, too.
Think about your own memories of
childhood and the particular ones that
make you smile the most. Was it really
that bike you got one Christmas or that
outfit you got for your birthday? Or,
could it have been that time you went
for a walk with your dad and he told you
– and only you – the best joke you ever
heard? So funny that you almost peed
your pants? (Don’t worry, your secret’s
safe with me.) Or, that day when your
parents pulled you out of school on your
birthday to go and have ice cream? Or
possibly, all those times you sat on the
edge of the bath watching your mum
put on her make-up before she went out
for dinner?
OK, I confess that last one’s mine,
but my point is that our most treasured
memories are bound up with the times
that our parents had time for us. And so
it is for our own children. Yes, of course,
they want all those shiny new things in
the stores, but they want our time far
more. And if we offered them a choice
between all the toys in the world or some
guaranteed regular time with us, they
would choose us. Well, the vast majority
would. There’ll always be a rebel or two
out there.
So next time Junior appears to want
to add to his toy collection, try a new
approach. Offer him something far
more valuable than anything you could
buy anywhere: regular time with you. It
doesn’t have to be hours and hours of
time you don’t have; even a guaranteed
one hour a week playing football or a
short bedtime story every night will pay
dividends. The smallest amount of time
still matters to them. Plus, you will be
creating memories for your own child to
treasure when they’re all grown up.
Keeping your child happy really
doesn’t have to cost the earth or even
the price of a small car. Swap your
spending for time spent with them and
watch your investment grow in a way
that money simply can’t.
Orla Breeze’s parenting classes,
including Daddy 101 and Mommy 101,
offer tips, techniques and humorous
insights into life as a parent. If you’d like
to discuss what every parent thinks, but
seldom dares to talk about, and learn
other secrets to parenting success, visit
.
Stop your spending, implores
Orla Breeze
.
Can’t buy me love
October 2013
29
