Entitlement

Ok, I wanted to come back with a bunch of info on Walmart but my family is personally struggling with this topic... and this is my blog about us becoming better people, not fixing Walmart so I'm shifting gears today. The last few months we've struggled with entitlement with our dc. Particularly the oldest who seems to expect "surprises" from us often. I blame it on my addiction to thrift stores. For instance, I found a wooden toy cube at a thrift. It's about 2 foot tall with activities like mazes, magnets and wooden beads all over it. I've seen it in catalogs for anywhere between $65 to $100! I got it for $4. SCORE! Right? I got a rush just like a junky! I scoured thrift stores daily following, looking for my next big deal... Like a gambler at a slot machine. So I have this thrift/garage sale addiction... and it's leading to entitlement to my kids. They get new (to them) stuff all the time. If I find wooden or good quality toys at a great price I just can't seem to not buy. I'm just so disappointed in myself and lack of self control. Before having children we agreed new toys only at birthday & Christmas. Books, art supplies and necessities anytime. I have veered terribly off course. It's not just me though! Dh travels often and likes to bring home a momento for the wee ones. Mostly he brings found natural items such as shells, pine cones, anything to represent where he's been. An occasional small toy treasure. Or maybe a package of cookies from his lunch. Either way, when she greets him at the door with "Where's my surprise?", it just breaks my heart! My new mantra is simplify, simplify, simplify. Less stuff will set us free! Now how to get the wee ones on board?