Has baby gear become the latest markings of status? When it comes to gearing up for the appearance of your pride and joy, should money be no object?
In an article in the Globe and Mail, dad Mark McGregor admitted his motives for getting the Origami had little to do with the baby he was about to have. The Porsche of strollers, it apparently "charges his smartphone, measures his distance and speed on an LCD screen and guides his way with headlights."
“It’s kind of an ego-booster,” admitted the 31-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., in the article which draws attention to a so-called "era of conspicuous parenting."
The Origami, owned by the likes of Natalie Portman, doesn't come cheap. Like the Bugaboo before it, at a staggering $900 the Origami is not the only eye-wateringly expensive baby product out there. There are car seats retailed at $450 and an internet monitoring system with a $350 price tag, even a diaper bag priced at $180.
First-time parents are likely the worst culprits in the spending craze. They are excited, and no doubt, having no idea what they truly need, impractical and willing to overspend.
As parents, are we really justified in spending such obscene amounts of cash on baby products? How much is too much? Or is there no such thing as too much when it comes to our little darlings? Or is the trend simply due to a demographic shift? Couples are deferring parenthood until later, typically when careers and earning power are more established. And with many families opting for fewer children, they can afford to spend more on their children than their own parents could.
Are parents getting better quality products, asks the Globe and Mail article, or are they simply being manipulated? The answer, not surprisingly, is both.
As a self-professed tight wad mama, I have made an art out of saving money when it comes to my son. Toys—often plastic and wipeable—are often second-hand. Clothes are often gifts or very 'gently used' (he's only going to wear out the knees in a couple months, anyway, with the exceptions of underwear, socks and PJs, which are always new). My jogging stroller, from a yard sale, turned a nice profit when I sold it a few years later. Personally, I'd rather spend money on things that matter: experiences that in turn create memories. My son honestly is none the wiser.
Do you shell out on luxury baby products? Why/why not?
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