DAY 79

Part 4 in a 4 part Vacation Series in which I explain how I have actually simplified things during The Simple year.

These days, when I say no to the kids, they have pretty much figured I mean business and it has cut down the pleeesssses and why noooooOOOOOoooots, from 50 a day to a much more manageable five or six.  They still whine about it, but they seem to be resigned. Plus we obviously don’t go in as many stores, which helps. However there is always the unexpected sales pitch.

Conversation I had with my youngest child and at the carwash a couple of weeks ago.

“Mom, can I have this?” says Kelsey.

I answered “Remember, we don’t buy anything new?” 

“But, it’s a consumable.”   

“Kelsey we need to talk a bit about the difference between consumable and durable goods.  A Webkinz is not consumable.”

“But, we throw them away after we are done.” 

“No we don’t.” 

“OH, ALL RIGHT!”

If you don’t know what a Webkinz is, first of all, congratulations.  Second, it is an overpriced stuffed toy with a unique code that enables you to “take care” of it online.  And while you can play the game online with just the one stuffed animal; the company is constantly bombarding the kids with online ads to upgrade (i.e. more money) and/or buy NEW virtual things.  Which I find absurd that anyone would pay ACTUAL money for DIGITAL goods from the KinzStyle outlet, although my husband had been known to cave and allow my kids to buy goodies like a virtual pool for their virtual pet.  Well, it HAS been hot outside after all.

Additionally, you are probably wondering why we would be having this conversation at a CARWASH, where they should be washing cars, not selling toys.    But here is a photo of the lobby of said carwash:

Oddly enough, this is not a Hallmark store, it’s a carwash.

Apparently, it is not enough to just wash cars, they must have an entire gift store in the lobby selling important things like hand-painted (by machines) wine glasses and plaques that say, “The beatings will continue until moral improves.”    It’s like guerrilla consumerism (oooh, did I just coin a phrase?).  It is enough to make a mother crazy.

However, The Simple Year has given me additional leverage in places like this and has really set different expectations for my kids.

Update to this post:  I wrote the above before we left on our trip with Grandma who is not bound by the same Simple Year rules.  It is amazing how quickly children revert to their former demanding selves when “Grandma the Good” starts buying them Mike and Ikes, truck stop tstotkes and American Girl outfits.