Back to school purchases?

Question

Aimee,thanks-my ex has done this before,I feel that he and his wife are trying to make me look bad,which is just childish.If it happens again I will talk to him.

Answer 1

I would just explain that its your job as a parent to help the kids learn the difference between the needs & the wants.  You have to make decisions and set the priorities concerning where the money is spent because there is only so much to go around for the FAMILY.  

  Being grateful for what you have is a hard lesson to learn.  I might be tempted to do a family volunteer project at a homeless shelter so the kids will see what its like to really go without.      

I would also approach this as a separate issue or lesson that you want to teach in your household, or in other words. NOT in response to their dads comments.  You don't need to focus on teaching them that their dad was wrong(Even though he is)  You need to focus on teaching them what is RIGHT.  Better they learn from experience as opposed to from a lecture. Especially when they are obviously going to be exposed to contridictory points of view.

Answer 2

I agree with you and have always just explained to my kids from the time they were little why one may get something and the other doesn't, so my kids both understand this.

I think you need to have  a talk with your hubby because he was way out of line to say that to your boys. If he had a problem, he should have spoken to you in private. I would let him know that he needs to explain to the boys why your daughter was getting new shoes. She NEEDED them, period. It's not about playing favorites.

We only buy what we need also, especially with money being tight. It's not an option for us to just go on shopping sprees for things we don't need and it's a waste of money.