It's My Place: The Guilt Factor

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

The Guilt Factor

Guilt is a TERRIBLE thing!!!

My philosophy is that a child's 'job' is to be happy.

Even though P is only 3 years old, she has EVERYTHING (except a pony) a 3 year old could want (including a $900 crazy dog). In the first 2 years of her life, because of the guilt factor, I did not buy more than the essentials for myself.

When she was getting into Barney and Blues Clues at about 18 months old, I decided that I would not allow that on my tv in the living room, so she got her OWN tv AND dvd player (I didn't get one in my room until 4 months ago).

Last year, I was taking a programming class, I was quickly becoming a C++ tard, so my instructor suggested that I take a laptop to class. The problem was I DIDN'T HAVE ONE!!

So, off I went, trolling the internet, looking for the BEST deal around. Even while searching, I started feeling guilty because the money I was going to spend on the laptop could buy something for P instead. After changing my mind many times, I finally bought one. My justification to myself was that it could ALSO be my Christmas/birthday present for the next 3 years. Most of the guilt was relieved.

Here I am, a year later, and I just finished my last class for my Associate of Arts-Computer Studies degree. When I knew the end was in sight, I decided to buy myself something...what did I need? A WATCH!!! Back in the pre P days, I had a SWATCH collection, and when she came along, what's mine became hers, plus who over 30 actually wears a Swatch??

The watch I decided on is a TAG Heuer~~but the prices are OUTRAGEOUS. I wasn't too sure if I wanted a watch to be the most expensive thing I own besides the car. I found the style I liked, but kept looking, then FINALLY 10 days ago, I found it, on sale online for a fraction of the cost!! Even though I still felt guilty, I ordered it. While waiting on it to get delivered, I was thinking of reasons to return it and spend the money on P.

Well, I picked it up this morning, and IT IS GORGEOUS!!!! Although I do feel a bit guilty, I guess I'll keep the watch. We'll just go DVD shopping for P this weekend (like she needs more DVDs).

1:34 PM |