I'm concerned how competitive or coercive a kids in common friendship has become. The friend, who loves researching, is always telling me about stuff she's bought or going to buy. I'm intrigued but as a family we just buy less for financial and practical reasons (always been keen to simplify 'stuff')
i feel i can't win if I copy her or don't copy her or insult her by purchasing a different item despite her recommendation.
I've also started keeping quiet about stuff I've bought my children because it often ends up with her duplicating it for her family.
Any words of wisdom? similar dynamics? I do value her friendship, but this aspect has recently got more noticable.