Oh Happy Days!

This post is going to be a random rant. As usual :)

So, 2012 is now well and truly on its way. Most people seem to be quite happy with it, thus far. I am not complaining either. No major upheavals (as yet!). The kidlet has moved up to the next class in school. We have more or less settled into our new house. My weight is, errr..not going up atleast?... It is actually this type of typical hum-drum that this year has brought with it, that is keeping me awake nights nowadays - sigh!

I really need to be do something with my life now - and the feeling of 'being on the threshold' of something new, bright and mind-numbingly exciting is hanging around my neck - not like an albatross- but like a - a nudging presence if you please. Not trying to be too poetic or anything - but it really is how I've been feeling this past month or so.Hopefully the subsequent posts should be the bearer of news about my 'bright new future'.

Until then, I have one thing to rant about -Toys-r-upon-us : I am so damn furious with these totally age-inappropriate toys that have flooded the market from wherever it is that they are mass produced. More disturbing is that fact that parents are actually buying these things for their children. Please tell me why 3 yr. olds need mani-pedi sets, hair curling irons and make-up however non-toxic!! I am telling you, everytime I go to the toy-shop I am filled with a very bad feeling at the pit of my stomach. How long am I going to be able to shield this little kid from these temptations? She already goes to playdates where dress up is played - and not with mommies old togs - but with kiddie versions of ornate ball-gowns and high heels. And like I said, there are people who find it perfectly fine to buy make-up sets for kids. How long before the kidlet starts asking for her own ?

And what is it with this personalised 'return gift' culture. Sure, this 'Have money will throw ' attitude sits well with those who can afford it - and what goes of my father etc. Yet, I find it really annoying when people send texts asking for correct spelling of child's name, so that the name on the child's return gift is correct. And then? Then they proceed to gift your child something which not only is ghastly (usually a bag, runs colour, made of itchy material) but also has the wrong spelling! And then what do you do with these things that you do not want, yet cannot give away/throw because it has your kid's name on it (albeit spelt wrong!)?

I am telling you - I've hardly seen a kid - any kid - more excited by personalised bath towels than they are with really sasta dinky cars/funky erasers/hairbands etc! Till date my daughter's most favoured return gift is a flip-flop she painted herself. And a whistle.

Am wondering why we are hell bent on complicating things for ourselves and our kids already. It can only get worse with time, no? Simplifying and un-complicating would be much easier - and rewarding. Sigh! That indeed is the wish I have - for my child and my family. Hopefully we will soldier on - without relenting - to the temptations that seemingly abound all around!