Would You Buy The Same Stuff For Your 3 Kids?

Toys - Toys of the same brand
@Muelitz (1592)
Canada
October 11, 2012 3:00pm CST
If you have 3 boys or perhaps 3 girls of different ages. Let's say ages 3, 5 and 7. Would you buy clothes of the same pattern and color. Would you buy them toys that are exactly the same kind, color and shape? This way they do not quarrel among each other because they all have the same kind. Or would you buy different kinds so that they can have a variety to play. Of course as long as they share. The latter is what I do, however, I am having a hard time explaning them how they should share with each other. They think that if I give something to them it is theirs and they od not share. How do you deal with this? Let me know. Thanks
3 people like this
12 responses
@eklind (96)
• United States
11 Oct 12
I think that if they are constantly arguing then I would buy them all the same thing for about a year and then see how it goes. They would probably start sharing better to get more different stuff. Great Topic!
2 people like this
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
That is exactly what I am doing and I am really hoping that they learn to share not only with each other but also with their relatives and friends
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
11 Oct 12
Well, I am a mother of both a son and a daughter with an age difference of four years so buying them the same clothes has never been an issue. However, when it comes to some of the toys that I buy for them, I always try to buy them similar things at the same time. For example, for Christmas this year I am planning on getting them each a new bike and a Furby. I'm doing it this way so that they will each have their own and will not fight over the new toys that they get. However, there will also be some things that are completely different so that they will have a variety of new things to enjoy.
2 people like this
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
That is good to hear. If I had a boy and a girl, my life would probably be easier because they would have different needs as well as preferences for clothes, toys and others.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
11 Oct 12
My sisters and I are quite close in age. As children we had different things and we passed them along to each other or shared them. My mom made it very clear that whatever she bought was something she had bought for all three of us to use.
1 person likes this
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
That is what I try to tell all my three boys. Whatever we buy could be shared by all of them. Then again my youngest still could not abide by that rule. And because of that there are quarrel from time to time
• Canada
11 Oct 12
There were times when my sister and I both wanted something and we each got one of the same, and then there were other times when we got different things that we would share. I guess it depends on the thing, and the situation. Then there are times when children are of different genders. Encourage them to share, and okay with eachothers toys too, so as not to develop gender stereotypes.
1 person likes this
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
When I was young, there are things that my parents buy for me and my younger brother that are the same especially clothes. Other people would even think that we are twins because our size is almost the same. When we got a little older we asked our parents to buy us different things which they did. Eventually we learned to share with each other.
@GemmaR (8517)
12 Oct 12
I don't think that I would ever do this to my children, because I think that it is very important that children are able to have their own individuality and style, and if they have the same clothes as their brothers or sisters then I can't see how that is ever going to be a good thing for them. I hate it when I see people dress twins in the same way because this just means that they can't develop their own sense of style, and they are seen more as one person rather than two people which is what they should be seen as by the whole of society.
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
I will definitely let them develop their own personality and let them decide what they want when they are older
11 Oct 12
I don't have kinds yet, but I have an older brother. When my parents tried to buy same things, including clothes as my brother had I never liked it, of course as a parent you think about possible discounts but from kinds point of view it's not really comfortable. When I'll be a parent and have more than one child I'll never buy them same clothes unless they would want them on their own free will.
1 person likes this
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
My 2 young kids always want to copy their older brother that is why more often than not they want the same thing. An example would be the striped shirts which my oldest loves to wear. The other 2 would want me and my wife to by the same design so we get them one with a different colour.
13 Oct 12
Well, in this case the older brother seems to set an example, it might be good to have an example. Of course building your own style is important, but it will come with experience. I'd say it's good that they demand to have similar clothes to their older brother, it builds independence and they will keep making choices on their own later on.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
12 Oct 12
i think if they would like to have similar stuffs, then its okay we'll just have them in different colors. but the thing is if they want it, thye should be able to share it with each other. except of course for shirts where sizes may be diffferent.
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
Thats right, share toys but not clothes. Of course unless they already outgrew them. That is the time the younger one can use it LOL
@kaka135 (14921)
• Malaysia
12 Oct 12
I don't think I'll buy the same stuffs for my kids. I have a 3 year old son, and a 3 month old baby girl, I always told my son to share his things with his little sister, and he is happy to do so, as he is very happy that he is elder brother now, and he has grown up. Since my son was young, I always told him to share, but not force him to do so. Of course, there are some times he would not like to share some of his favorite food with others, but most of the times he is happy to share his toys and food with others. Also, perhaps the age gap between my two kids are quite big (3 years), hence my son will have to give his clothes to the younger sister, so I don't have to buy two sets of the same stuff for them.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
i have two daughters who were almost 4 years apart and i dressed them both differently and of course, both had different interests. as for sharing, i think it is a learning process and you just have to keep telling them that they need to share their toys and whatnot.
@jugsjugs (12967)
11 Oct 12
I have six children and I will say that I spend the same amount of money on all of them for their birthdays as well as for christmas. My daughters are all grown up and my sons are all different ages, but if they all wanted the same thing, like they have in the past for example ipod, dsi, I have got them all the same, but I will say that I put their names on it. If my children want a game and they all want the same game for their consols, then I will get them one each, as that also save arguments.
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
That is also one of the reasons I get them the same one. To avoid one of my sons asking me why their older brother has it and they don`t or vice versa. Thanks for the tip, I would start putting names on items that they have that are exactly alike to identify which is which.
• Malaysia
12 Oct 12
We all have to go through this too. If everythings else does not work tell them that in your house whoever lives here must share stuffs and there is a place where no one shares things and they can stay there. You be suprise that they understand. Sometimes we have to put our feet down. And the eldest must have a slight different takes to tell the younger that the elder deserves it for being elder it will develop the sense of respect and the elder to start to have caring towards the younger if she like she can let the younger share it.
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
12 Oct 12
Sometimes I do pep talks to my 3 kids. I gather them in one place and talk to them one at a time making sure that everyone hears and understands what I say. This way I feel that they do not feel they are singled out. Whats funny is after we talk, they would behave and share and the next day they are back to their old ways. I am hoping that they will change for the better.
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
12 Oct 12
Toys for different ages - Toys depends on ages and preferences. Consider their safety and practicality.
If I have those 3 kids ages 3,5,7. I would by clothes that they really prefer and whats good for them. I know that kids has different preferences. I would consider those age-specific toys or activites. Like those toddlers (3 years old), play is really important, Preschool kids (5 years old), which sometimes they are clumsy, so I would avoid toys or activity that is too physical that can eventually harm them. And for School children (7 years old), I may introduce some computer games, interactive ones. Thanks and good luck.