In yesterday's post, I stated that "[Ella's] starting to think that she gets whatever she wants and honestly, she kinda does." I don't want y'all to think that I think Ella's spoiled. She isn't. But just as any 3yo thinks they are the center of the universe, Ella does as well.

I'm just so hyper-vigilant about not raising a spoiled child that perhaps I'm a bit ahead of myself. There are times when I think I was a spoiled child and still am. I've seen really spoiled children - went to high school with a lot of them. I'm even aware that as an only, people see Ella as spoiled.

We don't buy her toys. Of the toys she does have, most are my toys, and the rest are gifts from others. We don't buy her toys because we know others do. For Christmas this year, we know others are getting her toys, so I'm getting her clothes and the hubby is getting her books. OK, I got her a book too...but that's for the Winter Solstice!

I talked with a veteran momma last night and she nodded...a lot. Her kids have everything they would need, but she walks that tightrope of spoiled as well. I also know she's an awesome momma and her kids *know* how freakin' lucky they are to have so much. In the latest Bitch magazine (more on that later), Katha Pollitt talked a bit about raising her daughter and the difficulties of explaining black poverty to her at 5. I think it all goes together. As I attempt to teach Ella to be grateful for all she has, I also have to teach her about poverty & all the other social ills. At an age-appro level.

Gotta say, this parenting gig is tough. Really tough.

Labels: Ella, family