Comments on: He Plays With Open Hands http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/ Life is better with the right words. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:18:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Bamboo Forest http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3362 Bamboo Forest Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:32:43 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3362 The odds of running into certain people and then it happening. Makes you wonder about coincidences. <abbr><em>Bamboo Forests last blog post..<a href="http://punintended.com/blog/halloweelection-roundup/" rel="nofollow">Halloweelection Roundup</a></abbr></em> The odds of running into certain people and then it happening. Makes you wonder about coincidences.

Bamboo Forests last blog post..Halloweelection Roundup

]]> By: Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3366 Writer Dad Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:43:39 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3366 Mom: That story is so on the burner somewhere. It's definitely a classic in the making. You and Pop always did a fantastic job at teaching us to save for what we wanted. A skill I still have to this day. Sara: That girl was NOT cool. I can picture hanging out on her half of the tree. She probably grew up and still doesn't know how to share. Let's give her digital raspberries. Max would definitely rather play than have stuff. Malathionman: Every comment you leave, leaves me the message that you've got a really good head on you shoulders. We're the same. We don't spend money on things, nearly as much as experiences. Walks are free, and you can get a lot of life out of the way while you're on one. Mom: That story is so on the burner somewhere. It’s definitely a classic in the making. You and Pop always did a fantastic job at teaching us to save for what we wanted. A skill I still have to this day.

Sara: That girl was NOT cool. I can picture hanging out on her half of the tree. She probably grew up and still doesn’t know how to share. Let’s give her digital raspberries. Max would definitely rather play than have stuff.

Malathionman: Every comment you leave, leaves me the message that you’ve got a really good head on you shoulders. We’re the same. We don’t spend money on things, nearly as much as experiences. Walks are free, and you can get a lot of life out of the way while you’re on one.

]]> By: malathionman http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3378 malathionman Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:53:53 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3378 My wife and I try not to buy "things" for the kids, but we do try to do "things" with the kids, even if it means spending a little more than we would like. But we don't over extend ourselves like we did when we were in our 20's. Some things you just learn with age and maturity. <abbr><em>malathionmans last blog post..<a href="http://malathionman.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanks-dad.html" rel="nofollow">Thanks Dad</a></abbr></em> My wife and I try not to buy “things” for the kids, but we do try to do “things” with the kids, even if it means spending a little more than we would like. But we don’t over extend ourselves like we did when we were in our 20′s. Some things you just learn with age and maturity.

malathionmans last blog post..Thanks Dad

]]> By: Sara at On Simplicity http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3377 Sara at On Simplicity Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:17:23 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3377 I remember growing up next door to a girl who loved to run across the lawn, stop at the alder tree that separated our houses, and hold out some shiny new toy to me. I would get excited, thinking, "Finally! We're going to play!" But as soon as I reached out to touch her object, her mouth would crumble and she'd run back to her house, object in arms. I can't describe the experience as resulting in anything other than utter confusion on my part. But it made it clear to me at a young age that there was a distinct difference between "playing" and "having stuff." Sounds like yours is on the "play" side of the equation! <abbr><em>Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..<a href="http://www.onsimplicity.net/2008/11/handling-feedback-elegantly-and-easily/" rel="nofollow">Handling Feedback Elegantly and Easily</a></abbr></em> I remember growing up next door to a girl who loved to run across the lawn, stop at the alder tree that separated our houses, and hold out some shiny new toy to me.

I would get excited, thinking, “Finally! We’re going to play!” But as soon as I reached out to touch her object, her mouth would crumble and she’d run back to her house, object in arms.

I can’t describe the experience as resulting in anything other than utter confusion on my part. But it made it clear to me at a young age that there was a distinct difference between “playing” and “having stuff.” Sounds like yours is on the “play” side of the equation!

Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Handling Feedback Elegantly and Easily

]]> By: Writer Dad's MOM http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3376 Writer Dad's MOM Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:34:31 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3376 Hi Sean. Yes, I well remember the pre-Christmas days of trying to buy out Toys-R-Us for you and Megan. We did not buy you toys the rest of the year, because these were things that you were expected to buy yourselves with your hard-earned allowances fo regularly doing your chores. We felt that it would help you to appreciate their value and realize how much work had to be done to afford luxuries. It worked (for you...too late for me). The only time I put my foot down was the (you'll shoot your eye out) daisy rifle. Much to my chagrin, your dad caved, and major chaos ensued, including the S.W.A.T. team surrounding our home . (another Oprah for another day...I trust you will later share with your readers. Love ya, mom. Hi Sean. Yes, I well remember the pre-Christmas days of trying to buy out Toys-R-Us for you and Megan. We did not buy you toys the rest of the year, because these were things that you were expected to buy yourselves with your hard-earned allowances fo regularly doing your chores. We felt that it would help you to appreciate their value and realize how much work had to be done to afford luxuries. It worked (for you…too late for me). The only time I put my foot down was the (you’ll shoot your eye out) daisy rifle. Much to my chagrin, your dad caved, and major chaos ensued, including the S.W.A.T. team surrounding our home . (another Oprah for another day…I trust you will later share with your readers. Love ya, mom.

]]> By: Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3375 Writer Dad Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:06:19 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3375 Ian: I love lending books, music, and especially movies. I never care if I get the books back and the music are always burned CD's. I want a ginormous library someday as well. We have one now in our attic, but it's organized terribly. There's no question that letting the children anticipate and want helps them to appreciate things more, and they do go back home and play with their existing stuff with a fervor. Stuff is just stuff, and respect can't be bought. Vered: Just so that we're clear, I have never ever even one single time had my children ass anything to a list. I thought about it once, but simply did not have the heart. : > ) Jamie: We're a LOT better about it with Max than we were with Mia. You are correct. It seems like it always comes back to bit you. Marelisa: Anticipation, I believe, allows us to refine our desires. If we never want, than we're never hungry. If we're never hungry, than we will never work to our potential. Max is the BEST. No doubt. His smile can drop me to my knees. Ian: I love lending books, music, and especially movies. I never care if I get the books back and the music are always burned CD’s. I want a ginormous library someday as well. We have one now in our attic, but it’s organized terribly. There’s no question that letting the children anticipate and want helps them to appreciate things more, and they do go back home and play with their existing stuff with a fervor. Stuff is just stuff, and respect can’t be bought.

Vered: Just so that we’re clear, I have never ever even one single time had my children ass anything to a list. I thought about it once, but simply did not have the heart. : > )

Jamie: We’re a LOT better about it with Max than we were with Mia. You are correct. It seems like it always comes back to bit you.

Marelisa: Anticipation, I believe, allows us to refine our desires. If we never want, than we’re never hungry. If we’re never hungry, than we will never work to our potential. Max is the BEST. No doubt. His smile can drop me to my knees.

]]> By: Marelisa http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3374 Marelisa Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:51:24 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3374 Hi Sean: My little nephew loves trucks of all types and when I take him to the toy store to pick out a gift he spends loads of time carefully weighing his options before choosing hi favorite. I think the anticipation is always the best part, so it's great the your kids get to write huge toy lists in their minds. And Max sounds like the best little guy :-) <abbr><em>Marelisas last blog post..<a href="http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2008/11/12/solve-everyday-problems-creatively/" rel="nofollow">Solve Everyday Problems Creatively</a></abbr></em> Hi Sean: My little nephew loves trucks of all types and when I take him to the toy store to pick out a gift he spends loads of time carefully weighing his options before choosing hi favorite. I think the anticipation is always the best part, so it’s great the your kids get to write huge toy lists in their minds. And Max sounds like the best little guy :-)

Marelisas last blog post..Solve Everyday Problems Creatively

]]> By: Jamie Simmerman http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3373 Jamie Simmerman Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:39:49 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3373 BTW, LOL to Vered. I ASSume you meant ADD! :) I type like I have hooves, so I completely sympathize. <abbr><em>Jamie Simmermans last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BlueDuckCopy/~3/450623182/" rel="nofollow">Ready, Set, Unexpected</a></abbr></em> BTW, LOL to Vered. I ASSume you meant ADD! :) I type like I have hooves, so I completely sympathize.

Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Ready, Set, Unexpected

]]> By: Jamie Simmerman http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3372 Jamie Simmerman Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:38:21 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3372 Giving them the world is the best gift of all, Sean. I cave into my kids too often, and regret the materialistic attitude that spews from them later. Less is more. P.S. Did you know they make a Thomas garbage truck? <abbr><em>Jamie Simmermans last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BlueDuckCopy/~3/450623182/" rel="nofollow">Ready, Set, Unexpected</a></abbr></em> Giving them the world is the best gift of all, Sean. I cave into my kids too often, and regret the materialistic attitude that spews from them later. Less is more.

P.S. Did you know they make a Thomas garbage truck?

Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Ready, Set, Unexpected

]]> By: Vered - MomGrind http://writerdad.com/fatherhood/he-plays-with-open-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-3371 Vered - MomGrind Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:17:47 +0000 http://writerdad.com/?p=1475#comment-3371 I love the idea of having them ass stuff to a list (real or imaginary). It's a great way to avoid impulse purchases. I love the idea of having them ass stuff to a list (real or imaginary). It’s a great way to avoid impulse purchases.

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