Telling your kids “No” on TMX Tickle Me Elmo
September 25th, 2006 by KenricI saw this post on the All things Financial blog and thought it was interesting. I’m not 100% sure that it is talking about me, but it sure seems like it.
What’s Wrong With Simply Telling Your Kids “No?”
I’m sorry if this sounds preachy, but I have to get this off my chest. I have read on a couple of blogs this morning about this year’s Christmas craze: Tickle Me Elmo. I’m of the opinion that there should NEVER be a craze for a TOY! The idea of paying $100 or more for a toy that normally sells for $40 is pure insanity. Why can’t people tell little Johnny that Tickle Me Elmo is too expensive and that they need to pick out something else? Will that scar little Johnny for life? Not to mention the fact that like almost all other toys, once the “newness” has worn off, these $100+ Elmos will be found in the backs of closets across America.
One blogger (I don’t want to link to the blog because I don’t want to help draw attention to what he’s doing) was talking about rushing to Toys R Us to buy as many Elmos as he could get his hands on so that he could turn around and sell them on eBay once people found out that all the stores were sold out. He’s of the opinion that once kids start asking for them, parents will have no other option but to pay out the nose on eBay. There’s that old Christmas Spirit!
Posted in Making Money Online | 
Stumble it!
Did you see the comment I left on his post? I agree that people shouldn’t frenzy over trends- but that is the nature of people. You can’t judge someone else’s spending habits or how they raise their kids, but you can see oportunities to make money yourself- which seems ot me is more the point of what you are saying Kdog. How can I afford it mentality, instead of how can I deny myself more.
By prlinkbiz on Sep 25, 2006
I like that YOU’RE the problem. Ha. Way to withhold that link! ;)
By jen on Sep 25, 2006
What ever happened to capitalism? Sounds like he might have not gotten to the store in time for his Elmo. He probably got stuck in traffic coming from his Marxist club meeting. :P
By RealOG on Sep 26, 2006
Hey, I’m ALL FOR CAPITALISM! The point of my post, which I think was lost on most people, was how crazy parents are to get caught up in the hype of these fads.
By JLP at AllFinancialMatters on Sep 27, 2006
I agree with JLP about some parents’ parenting methods. It is so much easier for someone to give in rather than instil tough love these days. Unfortunately, doing so only breeds adults who not only put materialistic tendancies ahead of all else, but are quick to point the blame instead of taking responsibility for their (in)actions. Much of today’s societal problems can be traced back to one thing: poor/no parenting.
By Steve on Sep 27, 2006