Pocket money journey - an update

Hello everyone,

Its been some time since I've talked about pocket money and my children so I thought I'd give a bit of an update.

My son (at almost 6 years old) is showing signs of becoming interested in money now. Like my daughter, I have told him that when he can recognise the dollar values of the money, add and subtract 1s,5s and 10s, then he can get pocket money. I have also added an extra requirement - that he understands how to store his money safely! My daughter was always very careful about putting things (including money) she valued away in a safe place. My son is a little bit more absent minded with his things - he always seems to be leaving things behind or forgetting where he put things. He has been given money in the past (by his grandparents) but unfortunately he often forgets where he's put this money (I'm sure we will come across a treasure trove of coins one day). So once he's learned how to store his money safely, he will also get pocket money soon.

My daughter is continuing learning about savings, delaying instant gratification, and finding alternatives. Her current goal is to buy a DS!

Photo by Emily

When I explained to her that she will have to save up about $300 for a new one, her immediate response has been can she buy one second-hand?

I helped her research the types of second-hand DS's out there and she was surprised by the price range and asked me why. I explained to her that some had different features, some are older/newer, some come with lots of games and some don't.

She considers this for a bit and comes back to me and says:

"Mum, I don't want a DS with a camera or anything fancy like that. I just want one that I can play games with but not too many games. Because when there are too many games then I just play those games all the time and then it gets dark and I have to go bed and then I get sad because it means I have missed out on playing with S [her brother] and you."

So can you help me find a second-hand DS with about 5 or 10 games only please?"

Once again, I am in awe that my daughter can have such a clear grasp of impulse and self-regulation. I am so proud of her.

I wish you all a good weekend!

Incidentally, my daughter has now saved $71 of her pocket money. She wants to save $90 (going rate for a basic DS with not too many games). She's not far off her goal on getting her DS! (Oh and I did explain to her that she can if she wanted to, get a DS with more features but she's adamant that she wants a basic model only - I guess she can always sell her basic model and get a better one when she's older.)

I see green (first attempt at crazy patchwork)

Hi all,

I spent all day today at home... because my children are sick. Yep, its that lovely time of the year again when everyone around me seems to have the cold or flu. I am okay though. I'm dosing up on Vitamin C and echinacea. It seems to be working (knock on wood).

Anyway, I thought I'd use the time at home to do some sewing. I made some more hankies for my children. The hankies only took me 5 mins to do (made 3) but the exercise just highlighted to me how many fabric scraps I have. The different size/shape scraps, in part, were created by my children who have been making fabric collages.

With the scraps being all different shapes and sizes, I thought I'd try my hand in crazy patchwork. To be safe, I thought I'd stick to the colour green :)

Here's the result:



And I had enough to make a European cushion cover.



The entire project took me only 2 hours to do. It was a great way of using up the different shaped scraps. As usual, all fabric and thread for this project were sourced second-hand. :)

My son loves it and has already taken it round to my neighbours to show it off. I will be going through the rest of my scraps in the next few days so I can make one for my daughter too.

Anyway, I hope you are all well and not suffering from any illnesses!

"'Pretty' is a word unworthy of everything you will be"

Hello everyone,

As you can see its been awhile between posts. I am missing blogging but I guess, at the moment I'm in a point since my separation from my husband when I am reflecting on things that do not have much to do with consumption and are too private to share publicly. Having said that, I want to assure those who have emailed their concerns, that I am very well and truly on my way to healing. Thank you. The concerns of people (some I've never met) never ceases to amaze and touch me. I'm very lucky.

Work is as hectic as ever but I am loving my life at the moment. I have been making a conscious effort to reconnect with friends and past pleasures.

Recently, a friend of mine shared this video on Facebook and it touched me deeply so I thought I'd share it here. It touched me deeply because I have already heard my daughter (then 5 years old) ask me if she was "hot".

The early and inappropriate exposure of damaging sexual messages to children continues to be something I am most concerned about.

For those who have not seen this before, this is Katie Makkai - a poetry slammer (ie a poet who performs her original works in front of an audience). What I love about this video is its key message. A message that I hope to pass on to my own daughter:

"'Pretty' is a word unworthy of everything you will be"

I wish you all well.