Possessions: Valuing Material Things
By Mary Ann
@therealmaryyy (3162)
Philippines
December 22, 2016 5:27am CST
Material things will not bring you happiness. a common and popular quote that doesn't apply to most of the kids.
my mom just told me now that my son destroyed his bike. well, he dismantled the bike pedals. my mom is furious! she is mad! she said that she has to punish my son cause he doesn't know how to value things. they were planning to go to a resort on the 27th for a holiday getaway but she changed her mind. so they will be stuck in the house during the Christmas break. i understand my mom. being a parent-- it is honestly a challenge to constantly remind our child that we don't get things for free. WE WORK TO GET MONEY! MONEY IS NOT GIVEN FOR FREE! Money doesn't knock on the door on Christmas day or in any ordinary day. we work hard to get what we want. my son does not fully understand about working really hard for the things that he wants. he is spoiled in some things but not to the extent of he will scream and throw extreme tantrums if you don't give him what he wants. we're not rich. we are thankful that we can eat meals everyday and we have a house. i'm feeling upset because he crosses that line again. i've had a talk with him and explained to him that he needs to value everything. i told him that the only thing that we ask him to do is to do good in school and be kind. that is not too much to ask really. it is more difficult to be away from him too cause i won't be there- physically to talk to him face-to-face.
i'm really praying and hoping that he will 'understand' what VALUE means and VALUING material things and the people who is around him and who are working for him to go to school and the things that he has....
possessions of material things is not bad. the practice of a mature person of constantly finding happiness to material things is not good. valuing people, experiences, memories, relationships and life has a moral sense than 'material things.'
4 people like this
6 responses
@marguicha (215898)
• Chile
22 Dec 16
@therealmaryyy At that age you can teach him to value things. And the way to do it is not with a sermon. He will not listen. Just buy him less toys. It seems from your words that he has too much. Maybe the Getaway was a treat to your mother. So she doesn´t have to punish herself. But don´t buy another bike. Tell him to repair it or not have one.
1 person likes this
@therealmaryyy (3162)
• Philippines
22 Dec 16
@marguicha my mom easily loses her temper over things like this. he does it with of his toys and with what he has sometime house things. he is a creative kid. he likes to dismantle, recreate and experiment things. i think most kids are- on a different level and manner.
we are trying to give him toys to play or let him do things outside. we are balancing the outdoors and the attention to gadgets and technology.
1 person likes this
@therealmaryyy (3162)
• Philippines
22 Dec 16
i know in time he will. but it requires constant patience to teach him the importance of valuing things..
i told him that if he couldn't understand the value of education then he won't give a damn about school. he will just be this lazy immature kid who just go to school because he is asked to go to.
@therealmaryyy (3162)
• Philippines
22 Dec 16
@Madshadi yes, true. like if you don't work, you can't buy food or you can pay your bills and rent or go shopping
1 person likes this
@Madshadi (8841)
• Brussels, Belgium
22 Dec 16
@therealmaryyy I think they must be told things they'd understand in the near future. Like if you don't behave there is no icecream tomorrow. I don't think they would care about any distant future event.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37763)
• Philippines
22 Dec 16
That is true. People, experiences, relationships are more valuable that materials things. We must not cling so much on material possessions. They lose their value over time.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37763)
• Philippines
22 Dec 16
@therealmaryyy Children need to learn to value their things
1 person likes this
@therealmaryyy (3162)
• Philippines
22 Dec 16
yes i understand and i know in time he will
1 person likes this
@I_m_the_alter_ego (49)
• Surat, India
22 Dec 16
mam, I just wanna say that kids need time to mature and that even when I was his age, I would do things that you least wanted. I m not taking anybody's side. By the way, you have written very well.
1 person likes this
