What's the most extravagant indulgence you buy for your DCs?

[peaceanddove]

Inspired by another thread over on AIBU, but just wondered what crazily indulgent treats have you bought your children?

Ever since she started wearing make up I've always bought Chanel foundation for DD because I was determined she wasn't going to have that dreadful orangey-chalk face beloved of so many teenage girls.

DH is a trainer geek so splashed out on different trainers for 4 year old which i totally ignore the waste of and do not get involved

I treat baby daughter to white company and hand made bespoke clothing

Which I will stop doing as it’s frivolous (it makes me feel good supporting small businesses too though)

We generally buy the best food we can

Too young for expensive hobbies yet

We buy books quite often. I see them as a general household expense, not a treat, though.

They have a switch each, because sharing and autism just isn’t the easiest thing. They have multiples of certain games too, to avoid flash points.

The eldest has quite a collection of Doc Martens.

Not really much else.

@beetyaxe yes I'm with you on the vbucks!

Tennis - lessons, squads, racquets, restringing, comp entries etc, but they are doing really well, love it and I can’t really complain about a sporty hobby.
Other than that it’s holidays as we live in Australia and travel back to the U.K. 1-2 times a year and all hate travelling economy.

Insurance on my 18 dd's car. The car it's self was relatively cheap.

There’s a lot of people on the thread spending on what they wish their parents would or could have given them in childhood.
Our biggest spend is on private school, and I guess that’s partly because my parents chose a horrible and very cruel religious school for us (when we were closer to a good non-faith school).

Little Moons from Waitrose - £2.55 for two!!! I'm quite happy to spend money but I do feel I'm getting my eyes ripped out there. Still, she does love them.

Expensive trainers
iPhone
Hobbies, back when we were allowed out.

@MySocalledLoaf

There’s a lot of people on the thread spending on what they wish their parents would or could have given them in childhood. Our biggest spend is on private school, and I guess that’s partly because my parents chose a horrible and very cruel religious school for us (when we were closer to a good non-faith school).

That's astute. I hadn't thought of that. We spent on private schools because I hated my comp. One of the first things I bought DC when I went back to work after they started school was beautiful new beds because we had ancient sagging beds with springs poking through the mattress in childhood. And I was obsessive about new well-fitting school shoes as my parents weren't.

Oh God, the trainers. The trainers! DD isn't especially picky about clothes but is such a trainers snob. Typically her trainers cost more than my first bloody car! Then there's her gym membership, and she only likes to wear Gymshark gear, of course But I justify that because health and fitness are so important, right?

Also, private orthodontics, my God that was eye wateringly expensive but it was nearly a 2 year waiting list on the NHS. And a couple of unsightly moles removed by a private plastic surgeon which was worth every penny because the scars are barely visible.

Probably food. No 'children's food' in this house, DH is an enthusiastic cook and we all eat like kings!

@MySocalledLoaf

There’s a lot of people on the thread spending on what they wish their parents would or could have given them in childhood. Our biggest spend is on private school, and I guess that’s partly because my parents chose a horrible and very cruel religious school for us (when we were closer to a good non-faith school).

Yes I agree with this. I was good at hockey at school and my parents gave me zero encouragement, even though I was asked to try out for the county, my parents thought it would take up too much time and basically talked me out of it. Never encouraged me to practice music etc so I’m very facilitating with my kids and when an opportunity comes up for them, even if it’s a bit inconvenient, I support them to take it.

Mine are still young but pre covid it was regular breaks (UK and abroad), theatre trips and classes (gymnastics, cultural classes, language etc).

From September, we will have school fees to add to the list

DS age 3 gets indulged with PawPatrol toys. He loves them.
Pre covid - a trip to the bookshop every Friday for a new book and cake in the cafe, finished of with a bathbomb he picks from the market shop for himself. Not a huge indulgence but still a treat.

DD's university accommodation will be costing us £180 per week. Admittedly, it's absolutely gorgeous, more like a 4* hotel, and she has her own double room with en-suite. The complex has its own fancy gym, cinema room and cute cafe. Students don't know they're born, these days!

Clothes for my DS17 it’s all branded barring his P.J’s.
He only uses Molton Brown or Similar shower gel.

Peace totally agree with you about student accommodation- when we were looking round with our DS I was overwhelmed with the luxury on offer (obviously at a price!) one block even had a 'sky lounge' over looking the city with complementary soft drinks, huge screens for film nights etc - wonderful ! This year he is in a private flat share but even that is pretty smart with a washer-dryer etc. A 'Facilities Manager' is available for any problems ....

I remember my student days in grotty house shares, one bathroom between seven of us, we never seemed to have hit water, heating was 20p in the meter .... but it was very cheap and no long contracts!

Computer and Xbox game crap. Complete crap. DS 13 is indulged by the occasional Xbox gift card which he uses to buy 'stuff' for his games, V bucks, skins, whatever. A complete waste of money, but it keeps him happy in these boring times.

Some seriously lucky children on here!
and I'm feeling a bit tight reading it

We don’t have a lot of money, so our splurges aren’t that extravagant.

• Berries year round, because DD is a fruit bat
• Decent quality shoes (usually Clark’s or Bobux)
• A monthly secondhand book subscription

I got a little bit of extra money earlier in the year so I got her a new coat for spring from Frugi with little ducks on it- she looks so cute in it I think I probably enjoy it more than she does xD

@peaceanddove - oh god yes the student accommodation - DC's is the same - can't complain though as the tuition will only be £300 a term - better than the £10k+ at the moment......

Not a massive splurge but I tend to get nicer outerwear and shoes (Jojo maman, Boden, wet Wednesdays, startright etc.). I don't mind buying cheap t-shirts and joggers as long as DS's coats, shoes and wet weather gear is good quality.

Garden toys and play equipment over lockdown 😬

Before when the world was open I used to spend a huge amount on toddler groups. The only one I'm planning on picking up again once lockdown eases is swimming.

Dull, tasteless and insipid strawberries all year long

Books, so many books.

@MrsCrosbyNRTB same here, now the boy wants to go to Lego land, that's going to cost. I'm okay with that though, it's my retirement fund.

@tigertubbie

My 3 year old has a lush bath bomb almost every bath time. Sometimes I substitute for cheaper ones and mix them in the lush box.

I'm so ashamed writing that. It's literally money down the drain.

I thought they weren’t suitable for under 7’s as they can cause UTIs? (Except the little robot one).

Mine is Sylvanian families. Thank God they’re not as expensive as they were when I was young!

For teen daughter skin care and expensive Nike and designer trainers.

For younger DS football kits and martial arts lessons.

We also love Florida as a family.

@peaceanddove I took my daughter for foundation and we found the best match to be No 7, they use a little sensor thing to find their closest match. I was very impressed and like you was determined she wouldn’t have a different colour face and neck!