Ideas of things grandparents can buy.

[quaz]

I'm stuck.

We are 'homepreschooling' for now, and I have no idea what is going to happen for K+ at this point.

We don't need any more 'stuff'. Our house is 'big', but no storage. The girls have plenty. We have grandparents that live across the US. My mom, has always been really big on giving gifts.. and with 2/3 of her granddaughters far away, I understand why... but we don't need more 'stuff'. We don't need more clothes.

If I tell her things like passes to museums, zoos... that will fall on deaf ears. She really, really wants to buy 'things'.


So, I'm trying to think of ideas NOW for Christmas, before she starts buying a bunch of stuff we do NOT need..... or anyone that has been in this situation and has gotten through to their parents.


I've thought of simple things like microscope...things we could potentially use for homeschooling if we go that route longer term...

Anyone have other suggestions, or advice?

thx
Tammy

[KC in KS]

I'd look for stuff you could use whether or not you homeschool in the future. The microscope is a great idea. Art supplies. Sports equipment. That sort of thing.

[mamacitarisa]

YEah I'd try and stress "educational toys" or give her a "Wish list of Books" you'd like for your kids...

Maybe a weaver, i had one of theses as a child very fun for making scarves...

My folks are difficult like this, they think my son is "T.V. deprived" & that I don't buy the "Cool" toys, so they like to buy the plastic noisy toys...i think just to spite me... God help me when i tell them i plan on homeschooling!

So my son really digs going to Grandmas they load him up with "Treats" and plunk him in front of the TV... and say ahhh he loves that show so much... he doesn't get to see them a whole lot so i can't see any long term effects, but i do sometimes worry he will desire their lifestyle sometimes.

But at least mine do understand I'm not impressed by "new " clothes, I basically make them buy second hand, and they don't really go overboard on toys.

Good Luck

[Karenwith4]

not sure how old your child is but what about a lesson or program that they might love - art, music, gymnastics etc and the equipment to do it? You would limit the stuff and get some experiential learning as well.

Karen

[quaz]

not sure how old your child is but what about a lesson or program that they might love - art, music, gymnastics etc and the equipment to do it? You would limit the stuff and get some experiential learning as well.

Karen

While I like the idea... that's the problem... it won't fly.

I remember hearing once this person give this talk about the '5 languages' of love, and how people tend to express love by one of these methods and like to receive love by one of those methods...

I don't remember all of them, but some of them physical, philanthapic, gift-giving, words... something else.

Soon as I heard it, it clicked for my mom. She likes doing the physical act of giving "something"... for an adult that actually can be a card, but for a child a 'gift' like a zoo pass, dance lessons.... it isn't tangible enough for my mom.

My kids are only 3 1/2 and 2...but I need to nip this in the bud now.

Tammy

[frogguruami]

Magazine subscriptions

Also alot of museums and zoos have specials at Christmas where they will mail a "gift" to you with a stuffed animal or something all wrapped up pretty. Maybe they will feel like they are give some"thing" that way. Also maybe next time the kids talk to them they can tell them how much fun they had at the zoo and they wish they could go everyday. Maybe a little guilt will work, LOL.

[quaz]

The 'equipment' to do it might work. I've thought about art supplies, but we already have a good chunk... I've thought about something like nice beeswax crayons, but she'd have to buy them over the internet, and she doesn't feel like she is 'buying' it... mail order catalogs, though... she is willing to buy from. (don't ask me... this is just the way she is :lol )


Tammy

[boheime]

Have her video tape herself reading stories or telling stories about her child. Does she ever come visit? Go to a musuem or zoo - whatever- and have her get the membership there with you - that way she has been to the places with you and it might mean more to her.

Anything you use a lot of - art supplies.

Books - giv eher a list of books youe kids would love. She could even buy the book and then tape herself reading the book, too.

Subscriptions to magazines. Right now we have a gift subscription to Zoo Animals.

[MyLittleWonders]

I would definitely ask for things like magazine subscriptions, books and/or books & tapes, puzzles ... what about a nice set of unit blocks (good, old fashioned wooden blocks - Melissa & Doug makes a great set of true unit blocks), a nice US and/or World Map for the wall, or a globe ... dress-up clothes (dance clothes or playsilks or such) ... outdoor play stuff that can be stored maybe outdoors in a shed or something ... Do they each have a tricycle that you can ride outside? My boys love to do that, and the grandparents might be willing to invest in the more expensive, "good" ones ...

[rmzbm]

Well, two things that my Gram bought that are hits over here are a globe (the kids actually REALLY like messing with it) and a subscription to Highlights magazine. :thumb Something she does with my 4 YO DD is send her bunnies (M's fav animal...) - so every time there's a package we think of "what kind" of bunny could it be...sometimes it's a purse, or bunny stickers, or books...it's limitless & DD LOVES her bunny surprises!! Sometimes it's just a bunny card. :) That would work for anything that any child really loves!!

[Lillian J]

Bev Krueger makes some nice suggestions in this article (http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/bev_krueger.html) - scroll down to find the links.

A microscope is the first thing I thought of too, and she mentions what she's found to be a good one.

Maybe a list of some really special art supplies - maybe easels for one. The thread on electronic toys (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=449301) had some good non-electronic ones discussed too.

;) Lillian

[jessielove]

A few ideas, since they are in to buying 'things':

A telescope and books about astronomy, star gazing and constellations.
A microscope and books about science and microbiology for kids.
A good, sturdy easel {or two!} with a side for painting/coloring on paper and a side with a magnetic chalk or marker board.
A toy kitchen set. My kids have this one (http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2ssid=222E05AC-1143-E489-2D75B4251E8C2C4F&action=details&category_id=1000&subcategory_id=1026&product_id=1218&link=textlink) and it's been a great imaginative play center for us ~ we pretend to cook, play house, to shop, all sorts of things with it! I am 'guilty' of removing the batteries from it, though.
Bookshelves or storage shelves with bins for supplies, books, games and toys.
Books, books and more books :D
A globe, atlas, maps.
A digital camera ~ they have ones for kids and decently priced 'grown up' ones that kids can use ~ and books on digital photography for kids. Digital cameras are worth their weight {and more!} in gold IMO, especially for kids, because they get instant gratification in seeing the pictures immediately and you only print the ones that they really want.

[mattemma04]

I think I got the link here for this catalog.Lot of great science stuff you could have them order.Get a catalog,circle what interests you,and then hand it over to them so they can order:
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/catalog.php

Ant farms,magnets,test tube activies like water sand/snow making,microscopes,and so on.

[reeseccup]

agree with many above, adding board/card games and storage for them :lol I love the subscription thing, mil gives us National Geo every year and we just devour it. My sil asks which mag I 'd love to have and she subscribes that for me as well. :D I love my inlaws!

art supplies are always a hit in this house.