So we go to the malls again and tomorrow, we are canvassing for toy prices at Divisoria (the Philippines’ top bargain center). Bearing in mind the admonitions against buying cheap toys, my agenda for this Christmas is to give out books and educational stuff to my godchildren. In the past, this has always been a dilemma. Most kids have not felt the need to conceal their feelings and I could tell that kids I gave books or clothes to would rather have toys.

It seems ironic that I feel the same way now that I’m a mom. I would rather that my son received educational materials, but then I’d get broken hearted when I see him ogling the big and fancy toys in malls. Granted, I have learned to cope with mommy guilt and now spend less and less on my son’s whims, but there’s still a part of me that wants to give him everything he wants, and it includes plastic toys and toys that do not in any way educate. Even the “educational toys” are not too fun compared to the ones that kids just bash and toss mindlessly.

Nonetheless, for the “inaanak” (godchildren) it’s educational toys all the way. They can thank me later when they’re getting gold medals in high school.