Materialistic kid

Many people today are becoming victims of the consumerism culture. Consumerism culture is basically living in a materialistic world. It’s all about who has what and who has bigger and better possessions’. In order for individuals to be able to afford to keep up with this culture, they are putting more hours in at work and taking away time for their home. Also, families become affected by this because parents are not at home teaching their children the true joys of life and family values. Because parents feel guilty for this they buy their children the latest gadgets, electronics, and other extravagant gifts to hopefully make-up for the neglect.

Children are becoming too materialistic and are unappreciative now and days. One reason is because; parents’ shower their children with gifts hoping to make-up for their absences in their lives. Another reason is many parents today are unconsciously teaching their children that nice expensive things are important rather than teaching them what’s really important.

When children are spoiled with gifts, they want more and more and nothing is ever good enough for them. It’s like a drug addiction, a need that seems to never get filled and if it is, it won’t be for long. It seems like they are trying to fill emptiness inside of them but maybe it’s the unconditional love that they lack from their parents that they yearn for.

Parents don’t realize that they are teaching their children that happiness is something that can be bought, and that they are shaping their children into materialistic people. Parents should show their children that there are other joys in life not just the joys that come from materialistic things. For example, the joys that come from family bonding, contribute to their community, even more so the joy that comes from doing for others.

Family traditions are wonderful ways to spend time with family and if there isn’t any then make one up. Not just the traditions that are performed on holidays or special occasions but, little traditions as well. For example, some families might religiously hunt for yard sales every Saturday, have a picnic every other week, or even take a trip to the local library once a month. These are fun ways to spend quality time with family and there is very little money being spent, if any.

Another way to show a child the values of life is to include both the parent and child in contributing to the community. For example, volunteering at a convalescent home; where some of the senior citizens are lonely due to their family forgetting about them. A child can go to the convalescent home maybe once or twice a week and visit with the seniors who are lonely. Maybe get involved in some community service by going to a local park and pick up garbage off the ground or to local neighborhoods and paint over graffiti on the walls. Last but not least it’s always nice to plant a tree or some flowers at your child’s school together.

Furthermore, it’s always a nice feeling to do for others. For instance, a parent can be a good example to their children by showing them the pleasures of doing something for others, without any personal gain other than a thank you. Children should be taught by their parents that real happiness comes from within. For example, an older neighbor who doesn’t have the strength or the money to maintain their yard, it would be nice to offer your assistance and go help out. Maybe even contributing old unused clothes to the Salvation Army or donating some money to a charity with a good cause.

All these activities are ways to show your child how to be empathetic and to care about how others feel rather than what they think. Therefore they wouldn’t care how they appear to others; per se when shopping for tennis shoes they wouldn’t mind wearing $40.00 tennis shoes compared to $100.00 tennis shoes.