Having Parents That Are Both Bloggers: Are The Kids Lucky Or Spoilt
My wife and I are both Bloggers as many of you probably already know. I’m a father of five children, two of whom are five year old twin girls. The most fascinating thing to me is that they are fully aware that mummy and daddy blog.
I’m assuming to them that this means parcels turn up at the door on a regular basis which at this time of the year seems to be everyday, that it’s Christmas week every week.
Nowadays if we are sent toys for review, PR’s are asking if we can include our children in the images playing with the toys, and actually I personally think that is the right thing to do. It can hardly be a bona fide review if your children are not playing with the toys. I’s pointless, because after all we want their opinion on the toys, not a parents view.
This leads me on to the question are my five year old twins spoiled or simply lucky. Most weeks around this time of the year the girls will have three or four new toys a week. So it’s a bit like Christmas week every week.
Many people I’m sure would say that our five year old twin girls are spoiled. In the last week or so they have had Hatchimals, Shimmer & Shine toys, a Chad Valley Garage, an interactive Barbie horse and actually quite a few other things too. So are we spoiling them and will their appreciation of receiving presents and toys at Christmas or on their birthday be diminished?
It’s a difficult one because they could grow up expecting toys 365 days a year because we are both bloggers, and consequently Christmas and birthdays become just another day.
When I was growing up I never really had anything unless it was my birthday or Christmas, but even though it only happened twice a year I don’t think I appreciated it anymore. It was simply what I was used to.
In my opinion I think our five year old girls are lucky. They are lucky because they get to have new toys around the whole year, which I don’t think is a bad thing. The reason I don’t think it is a bad thing is because their mummy and daddy work very hard on their blogs to be able to give them some lovely new toys which I think is definitely not spoiling them. They are lucky girls and all we ever do is emphasise to them that mummy and daddy have to work very hard to get them really nice toys, and also teach them to appreciate that they have lots of things that other children don’t.
Maybe lucky is not entirely the right word because all is actually happening is our five year old twins are benefiting from our work as bloggers.
If you are blogger with children and you review toys do you think they are spoiled or lucky? I would love to know.
17 Comments
Meg
October 20, 2017 at 7:20 am
Tricky one! I had toys in between Christmas and birthdays, because I had pocket money, so I used to pick them myself. I don’t think I was spoilt or unappreciative. But I worry about the same thing happening to my kids at Christmas and birthdays when they are totally overloaded with toys from loved ones! Your little ones are definitely lucky thanks to your hard work, bless them. They look very happy! #ThatFridayLinky
Oldhouseintheshires
October 20, 2017 at 9:59 am
That’s a tricky one isn’t it?
I think they are lucky. Lucky in that your job gives you perks that they can enjoy! Other people have perks with their jobs that may impact the children such as having a company car or the ability to take more trips abroad. I know teachers who teach in independent schools whose kids get very much reduced fees….it’s all relative to each family.
Being spoilt does not have to include giving your children lots of toys! Being spoilt is how they react to situations and how they treat others. As long as you are showing them that these toys come as part of your job then they will know how lucky they are. Could they share the gifts? Or give some to others once you have reviewed them? Meaning then they are learning that these toys are not “theirs” but are yours as part of your job? Just a thought. Lucky children. X
#pocolo
Daddy Poppins
October 20, 2017 at 11:39 am
I think they are lucky too. I love being able to give new things to my kids for review and see their reaction. I generally do reviews on whether my kids will enjoy the product or not.
Mama Grace
October 20, 2017 at 11:43 am
They’re lucky and I’m sure both mum and dad have discussed the whys and realties. #ThatFridayLinky
Sadie | Be Your Own Example
October 20, 2017 at 12:05 pm
That’s a tough one. I suppose it’s all in how they receive it. If they were to give the toys to charity after they reviewed them, or had to save up pocket money/do chores for the ones they wanted to keep I suppose that would be a good opportunity to teach them about the value of things or about giving to those less fortunate. Birthdays and Christmas can still be special, maybe by focusing more on experiences rather than things?
#thatfridaylinky
Christopher McGuire
October 20, 2017 at 12:53 pm
I think they are lucky – but lucky isn’t a bad thing and certainly not the same as being spoilt. What parent doesn’t work hard to provide for their kids? Why is blogging any different? Great post.
Channel Island Mama
October 20, 2017 at 1:29 pm
I think your children are very lucky to have such clever, hard working parents! With my two boys, I have noticed that the appeal of most toys wears off pretty quickly. We often rotate toys – i’ll put a load away and they magically reappear a good while later and all of a sudden they’re exciting again!
I think Christmas and birthdays are even more special because of the sense of ritual and togetherness ….the toys and presents are fab obviously but I remember as a kid thinking the anticipation of all those wrapped boxes and wondering what was inside of them was often as exciting if not more so than what was inside. Sorry…long comment but I think this is a really interesting topic!! all the best
Michelle #thatfridaylinky
Tracey
October 20, 2017 at 2:25 pm
It is a difficult one. I don’t review toys but I think I might save them each week and give them to the kids when I think they’ve earned them… done well at school, been kind, helped in the house etc. Maybe if you think they have too many by Christmas they could put together a little toy hamper to donate to a hospital or something then they can feel like they are doing something good and see the value in them. #thatfridaylinky
jeremy@thirstydaddy
October 20, 2017 at 3:28 pm
we’ve never received any toys but my daughter got to go to a really cool toy convention last month that she probably wouldn’t have otherwise. It was great fun. My wife and I got a weekend away last year and there is a new printer on its way. Maybe I need to get into the toy review business! I think that as long as they know that theses things are coming because of the hard work you guys are doing, its fine. Maybe find a way to make it their “job” also so it’s not quite so free for them #thatfridaylinky
Nita
October 20, 2017 at 5:09 pm
They are definitely very lucky to have parents like you that are both bloggers! I would love to be able to achieve that someday! But if you really think they receive too many toys, there’s always some charity or good cause that you can donate it. Win-win! #ThatFridayLinky
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies
October 20, 2017 at 5:29 pm
I think its all about perspective. As long as kiddies understand that its a benefit of a job that is lots of hard work – then great!! x #ThatFridayLinky
Heather Keet
October 20, 2017 at 6:17 pm
I think they’re lucky! #ThatFridayLinky
Amie
October 20, 2017 at 8:36 pm
I can see why it would be a tricky one. My partner is a firm believer in children only having toys at Christmas and birthdays but I like to treat them and at the end of the day if it is free and for work purposes then I think it’s great! #ThatFridayLinky
Kate
October 20, 2017 at 10:52 pm
I think all jobs and parents’ situations tend to come with both good and more negative aspects for children. One thing I think all us bloggers have to watch is that our children are getting our time as well as stuff because to be a successful blogger takes an awful lot of time. My children are older now and made it clear they did not want to attend any more blogger events and I respect their decision on that one.
Chloe
October 22, 2017 at 7:10 pm
I think so long as the girls know that it is all as a result of hard work it shouldn’t be a problem. Many children get things as a result of their parents job, blogging is no different #thatfridaylinky
Musings of a tired mummy…zzz…
October 22, 2017 at 10:31 pm
My children have to earn their toys even when they have been sent by a company for review. They help out with chores or earn through good behaviour #thatfridaylinky
Jade – Raw Childhood
October 26, 2017 at 12:55 pm
I don’t class it as being spoilt, I don’t really class it as anything. I just think they benefit from my blogging and they get way more than I would ever be able to buy for them! #thatfridaylinky