To ask him to stop buying so much stuff?

[Littleloafofbread]

My husband can't resist spoiling DD, who is 3. Every time we go out he buys her a book or a game or a toy, and quite often more than one thing.

I love his generosity and how much he loves DD, and technically none of these things are hurting her. She's still a polite child who looks after her things and knows she can't have everything she wants.

But it makes me feel uncomfortable. It's bad for the environment, I hate having so much stuff in the house, I feel we should save money just in case our circumstances change, it might be setting DD up to think you need to buy stuff and have lots of stuff, whereas I think we can be genuinely happier if we have less stuff.

AIBU to want him to buy her less? And if I'm not BU, how on earth do I go about broaching the subject with him?

Yanbu

Can't you just say what you've said here?

I've tried informally, but I don't push it because it just brings him so much pleasure. He works hard and has enough money, so I feel mean depriving him of this, and really who I am to know that my way is better than his way?!

Honestly you'll prob find she starts to be quite discerning with her stuff soon. ExP buys her loadsa crap and I can't stop it, but DD only cares about her books, one cuddly toy and her tablet. He'll probs stop spoiling her once she plays with stuff once then never again

Oh I do hope so! Atm she still has quite a short attention span and will move from one toy to the next every few minutes. That's also why I want her to have fewer toys - so she spends more time on the one she has and gets more out of them

You could maybe say you're at capacity stuff wise and maybe it's wise to introduce a one in one out policy and does he want to choose which will be the things to go.

Not saying actually do that but it might make him think.

Thanks Gamerchick, that's a very good idea! It'll make him think as he's a bit of a hoarder too and I'd be quite happy to give some toys to charity

Oh I have this with DH and his parents. Just a different way of showing affection I think. But drives me nuts. Everything is plastic and comes in tons of packaging. Most items get forgotten about after a few plays. Not sure what the solution is but I'll watch with interest what others say.

Just tell him you don’t need all this stuff, you need to be honest with him.

I don’t think you can ever have too many books though, as a side note...

Maybe he can set up a bank account for her and go and pay in at the counter together. They might get pleasure from 'playing banks' together??? Then when she's saved enough go and draw out the money in cash and buy a larger (less plastic tat!) present like a swing or bike for her???

Clutching at straws as my 8yr old has piles of crap and 4 bookcases in her room!

My sister who is too soft does this with her daughter. My niece has got so much stuff she doesn't play with it or cherish what she has.

If my sister sees a 3 for the price of 2 offer on toys for a child's birthday she will give the 3rd item to her daughter because she hasn't paid for that one! I'd keep it for a third birthday gift.

She is bought something every time they go out which is all the time. Her small house is overflowing because my niece, even though she is 9 doesn't like getting rid of stuff she's outgrown.

I've now treat my niece to the theatre for Christmas and Birthday presents with a small gift like a pen and keyring for the actual day.

Tell him to put each £3/5/10 he would spend into the bank. Then when she is 10 and has been pestering for a pony for a few years he can make all her dreams come true.

I might be projecting