Compensating With Things

I used to be that person who swore that I would not spoil my kids with the expensive things in life. That is, until I worked 2 jobs and became financially independent.

Nowadays, any rare trip to the mall with my little girl almost always results in me buying something for her, be it a toy, a pair of shoes or some clothes.

For instance, you know the doll I bought for her birthday that I keep harping about (which I eventually caved and opened it for her)?

So pleased with her new Mei Mei!

Well, despite having already bought so many doll assesories for it, I found myself in the doll section perusing through the mechandise again and nearly buying a doll dress which costs as much as a real dress! *slaps forehead*

I eventually settled on buying a Hello Kitty toy handphone after reasoning to myself that it's absolutely necessary so that baby girl wouldn't have to keep playing with her grandma's handphone and unintentionally wreck it.

"Hello?!? Bye!!"

I seriously never in a million years ever thought that I would be that parent, who keeps buying toys for their children for absolutely no good reason.

Maybe deep down in my subconcious, I feel that I'm neglecting my girl and want to make up for it by buying toys. Or maybe... I'm just thinking too much. Most likely the latter *laughs*

But in all seriousness, now that I've finally gotten a permanent full-time job and am in the midst of building up my career, I really gotten keep reminding myself that my way of showing love to my child cannot be in material things alone. It's about giving her the undivided attention at least one hour everyday after I return home from work. I think that's more valuable to her than anything that I can buy!

And if that means that I have to sacrifice catching up on my Gossip Girls and blogging, then that's what I'll have to do (you see how I use my baby to make excuses for everything..*laughs*).

Just wanna end by sharing this quote from Leonny that I thought was very true.

"If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money on them."

~ Abigail Van Buren