To think Oliver James is spot on, parents need to stop spending so much on toys and spend it on holidays instead

[LardLizard]

Couldn’t agree with him more

Link Here

Lules you are so right.

A life of material comforts is a mistake and a fool's errand, doncha know

You might rhink you want a steady income and to be able to buy the latest tech but that is just worshipping a false god innit. Hang on, I've heard this all before in literally every single religious tradition I have come across

Also the holiday is all about parents making what they deem as suitable and enriching experiences for children. Where is the child's agency in this?! I can tell you categoeically that I would have been far, far happier as a child to have that remote control tànk thing from the Grattan catalogue ( lovingly circled). I could have lived without the improving cultural holidays that were mainly about my parents' needs and wishes if I could have had that tank. As a kid, I could have altogether done with having a few more of the experiences I deemed desirable and worthwhile, to be honest.

It does presume that all holidays are a time of fun and family bonding.

They're not, they're really not. Holidays for us are generally a time of great stress and very difficult.

I remember my toys from childhood as much as the holidays. I don't remember my parents needing to fill all the days with enriching activities.

Absolutely!

Well I can’t afford toys, latest iPads phones blah blah, fancy Xbox etc or a holiday even a weekend to Blackpool these days.

I am skint, I skip meals so my kids can eat. I’m on minimum wage as is dp.

Jeez I’m a shit parent

blackheartsgirl the fact that you are skipping meals so your kids can eat makes you a lovely parent (as does the fact that you are probably hiding it from them).

Hope things get better soon, and don't worry, kids aren't stupid, they know what is really important.

I agree that it's important to make family memories, and that the best way to do this is outside of day-to-day life. I also agree that a majority of toys are underused after the initial novelty wears off.

I do, though, think that OJ is indulging in lazy daily fail journalism in presenting this as toys vs. holidays. As pp have said, many families don't have the option of holidays and days out.

I am fortunate enough to be able to give my children toys AND holidays, and I will appreciate this privilege more after reading some of these posts.

Most of our toys come from charity shops, can I get holidays there too?

I never spend a lot at Christmas I am shocked that many parents I know and not all are wealthy spend £400 on one child

I would put £300 of that towards something else and yes that might be a holiday

Depends on your preferences, my kids would rather have stuff than go on holiday.And I think it’s a bit of a middle class affectation to prioritise or prefer an enriching holiday,bit art gallery, forced yomp over an iPad or PS purchase. Holiday is a couple week in a year whereas an iPad, PS is years of use