I am not making this up!
Yesterday, I took the children to Wal-mart to pick up a few last minute items that we need to take to Peru. Jackson was being rewarded a small toy for reading his 5th chapter book on his own. He had this toy in mind for some time. It was a proud moment for him.
Obviously, he had his toy assembled in nanoseconds and had been enjoying it all day. Right at bedtime, he noticed the toy had a few structural cracks in it. To this he started crying and crying saying “I hate Wal-mart! They make junkie toys that break after only one day. All they care about is money and not kids who are getting the toys. It doesn’t make any sense.” He kept repeating over and over the part about not making any sense.
I did not tell him about the great debate about Wal-mart. Darn thing is, Wal-mart has trained an entire culture to want LOW prices and not want to pay more for quality work, me included. I guess the saying holds true, “You get what you pay for.”
that is hilarious!
Comment by Mommy Zabs — February 3, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Very insightful.
We were on a Walmart ban for 6 months because of that. But, with our budget, we went back to make ends meet.
the first time back, our 4 year old looks at the cashier and says, ” my mom does not like this store ”
And then gave reasons ……
The cashier leaned down and whispered … ” I agree with your mommy “
Comment by Jeff Greathouse — February 5, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Jeff,
I know what you mean. I would love to shop only at home grown mom and pop places with hand made goods and all organic food. The fact is, I can’t afford it and nether can the people making it. They can’t afford to stay in business because if the “wal-mart” effect.
We just keep making little choices everyday. Recycle one glass jar here, reuse something there etc. etc. Not letting things go to waste, so we don’t have to purchase more of something. Being organized enough so that you are not having to buy doubles of something because you don’t know were the first one is. You know,baby steps!
Comment by Amber — February 5, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
During Farmers Market season, we do buy our fruits and vegetables there. I also do pay a little more money from the local meat maket and we do our milk / cheeses from Amish farms …. but the one salary ( and not too large ) can’t do it all ….
thanks for the post, though
Comment by Jeff Greathouse — February 5, 2008 @ 11:14 pm