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A multi-acred really really huge farmhouse with a lake/pond and lots of horses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissTerri
This. I'd love to be able to buy a house with land, on a lake. That would be a great place for kids to grow up. No horses for us though. Maybe some more pets though of one kind or another. And a boat or two.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Molli
I grew up that way, including the horses, staying with my grandparents every summer. I still have horses to this day.
Molli: Must have been fun!
I can afford to buy such a property in northern VA if I am willing to increase my work commute by 1 whole hour (right now it's 20 mins) each way. But, if I had to buy such a property in the local area where I stay, I'd looking at spending upwards of 3 million! Tough choices... ...
Wow, I'm realizing how lucky I am - my daughter gets lots of travel, we go with dad on his work trips. (We just got back from spending all summer in Hawaii, we were in Florida before that).
My daughter would love a horse - she's been taking lessons for the last year (she's 4). I grew up in a old, old farmhouse and rode alot when I was a girl - sometimes I wish she had that...
I'd love to have another baby but I'm not sure if a sibling would be for her or me....
I grew up with most of the things people have said in this thread, although all of our travel was by car in North America, rather than overseas, since my mom doesn't like to fly. We vacationed at a houseboat on Lake Powell or at our family's cabin on a lake outside West Yellowstone, or at Disneyland. We lived in a 6000 square foot house with a pool, volleyball court, basketball court, pool table, foosball table, air hockey table, etc. If I needed (or even just wanted) money for something, I had it, as long as I kept my grades up and helped with the housework. I realize I had a very privileged childhood. They gave me my first car, and then when that died (it was older than I was), cosigned for me and helped me pay for a brand new one in college. They gave me the down payment for my house. I've worked for them most of my teenage and adult life. So they've given me a lot.
I'm incredibly grateful for the life they've given me, and I promise I don't have an entitlement complex. But more than any THING my parents gave me, the thing I value most is good dental hygiene. One of the best things they ever did for me was to have my adult teeth sealed and insist that I brush regularly and see the dentist twice a year. Now, at 36, instead of having an entire mouthful of fillings and crowns, I had my first filling last year. I can't think of a single thing they ever did that I appreciate more than that. It is a gift that has kept on giving my entire life.
The other thing I appreciate most wasn't a THING either. My mom read to me every single night almost from the beginning. As a result, I learned to read when I was 3, and have had a lifelong love of reading and learning. No thing can ever be more appreciated than that, either. That one is even free.
The thing they didn't give me, that I always wished they had, was a lesson in personal finance. Because money was so plentiful, even though I was grateful for what I had, I didn't know the value of a dollar, quite literally, until after college, when I went to move out on my own and had to sit down with mom and ask how much I should expect for utility bills, and what was reasonable for rent, and what I should budget for groceries, etc. I didn't learn about investing for retirement until I was nearly 30. If you can find a personal finance/budgeting/basic investing class, take it together with your teenager. They'll thank you for it later.
Things can be appreciated, and parents should work to instill a sense of gratitude for those things, but if you raise your children right, what they will most remember and appreciate you for aren't THINGS at all.
My kids are grown. I'd buy my oldest a complete home remodel. I'd buy my youngest a great course of education that would end up with him being able to get the job of his dreams.
If money is not an issue, I will have my child having occupational therapy everyday! However, insurance company only gives 60 hours in total for Speech therapy and phisio therapy and occupational therapy.))
If money is not an issue, I will have the best team of specialists helping my son.
These services cost much much much more than the usual toys.
Fortunately we have unlimited ABA therapy from the insurance company. I can not imagine what if we don't.
If money is not concerned, I might take the gamble to have another child to give my son a sibling.
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Maybe some more pets though of one kind or another. And a boat or two.
