Homemaking: Creative Deprivation

My goal when my kids were young was to deprive them.

Deprive them of STUFF.

I first read about this parenting principle in The Complete Tightwad Gazette (still looking for the page #, but can't seem to find it.)

Amy D. wrote that when her kids would complain about the size of the ice cream cone she bought them, instead of buying them a bigger ice cream cone, she would not take them to the ice cream shop as often. The theory being that they would appreciate the small cone once again.

I found that the more "stuff" I bought my kids, the more "stuff" they wanted. The same principle holds true in my own life. However, when I focus on being thankful, I can appreciate what I have.

Teenage Years
I'm finding that I don't have to be intentional at all about depriving them of STUFF any longer. Given our parenting values and financial goals they are naturally deprived (the items they would love to have now cost a fortune compared to the little things when they were young.

Never deprive your kids of what they need....

unconditional love, touch, undivided attention, time,

but there is a time and a place to deprive them of things THEY think they need.

Other Posts:

• I wrote a blog post about the Fulfillment Curve a few years back. While the post needs updating, (we actually NEED two cars now given my husband's job situation) the principle is the same. 
• Decorating and the Fulfillment Curve
• Frito Free Child
• Investment Purchase

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