An aquaintance of ours has grandchildren. He appears to care for them, but every conversation he has about them, usually contains what major purchase he made for them or with them.
I don't mean to sound cheap, and I enjoy being generous with those I love as well. But I don't purchase stuff for folks for each time I see them, even if I see them a couple or three times in a week.
This person loves to shop and I think part of this scenario is the pleasure of shopping. But, I also think there is a competition there between the other grandparents...this person wants to be thought of as the generous one. Believe me, these grandchildren are not poor and are not doing without -- the parents have good jobs and take good care of their offspring.
I reflected the other day about my grandmother. She was kind to me and she often bought me gifts for Christmas and birthday. But, she didn't have the money to constantly purchase gifts. I didn't feel like I was unloved by any means. She gave me something else -- her time and attention.
In a way, I sort of feel sorry for this person because he must feel he has to buy his grandchildren's affection. The sad part, he can't afford all this spending.
Buying Love
July 3rd, 2012 at 02:41 pm
July 3rd, 2012 at 04:26 pm 1341332818
July 3rd, 2012 at 05:39 pm 1341337180
So the sad thing is, he's spending money he can't afford on stuff that's probably being tossed or, if he's lucky, given away to someone else.