Back in my parents home, we always had what we needed and the most important thing was that they were enough.
My dad was no Adnan Khashoggi and I am not going to paint a picture of any silver spoon.
Our home was a respectable middle class Nigerian Lecturer’s home where the basic things were provided and on special occasions, such as birthdays a communal party was organized for the celebrant with other children within the neighbourhood.
In my family back in those days, we had no idea that we could ask for presents or the likes. We just did not have the mentality of such entitlement or expectation that exists today.
So, as a result, the presents you received on your birthday tended to be something more practical that you had need for and during Christmas your presents were based on what was currently in vogue for children: a doll, books, football, a mouth organ, an accordion, a flute etc.
We were contented. Like my mother always said, ”you don’t miss what you never had.”
I missed nothing because I had everything that mattered.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
In response to The Daily Post prompt Out of your reach
Was there a toy or thing you always wanted as a child, during the holidays or on your birthday, but never received? Tell us about it.
very lovely post!!! nice reminder to be grateful!
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Thank you Mama. We should always appreciate and be contented with what we have 🙂
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Oh yes for sure
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🙂
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Absolutely! I grew up very middle class in the Chicago suburbs, but so did all my friends, so if we were not wealthy, we had no idea 🙂
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Thank you dear for your input. Life was simpler in so many ways. There were no Jones’s to keep up with and there was a lot of learning to imbibe too.
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it’s not just about not being indulged as a child. it’s about being taught the righth values so that you did not need to be indulged.
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Precisely. Teaching the young ones such right values matters a whole lot. It helps to foster better sense of well-being. Thank you so much for this comment, Violet. Enjoy your weekend 🙂
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I agree thhat back then there was no expectation of what presents you got, you might wish for it but it was not guaranteed and you would never dare ask for it! 🙂
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We lacked the gumption to dare ask such questions 🙂
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This is really good…sounds like a perfect childhood to me!! 🙂
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It was near perfect my dear Sabah. Thank you so much and do have a good weekend 🙂
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Your welcome,same to u:)
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🙂
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Just yesterday a friend called and we discussed this very thing. Not having much but you have what you need and it is good……enjoy our little visiting through the blogland my dear blogging buddy 🙂
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True Sarah. There were lots of positive things growing up. I do enjoy our chats my dear. Have a beautiful weekend 🙂
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I missed nothing because I had everything that mattered<<< ❤ ❤
Too bad our society today don't realize that many kids nowadays are spoiled brats
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Truly had no idea that there was anything to miss 🙂
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Of all the sins that have plagued me, I’m glad materialism isn’t one of them. I can be happy with very little and I’m thankful for that.:0) None of us need so much stuff!
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That is a huge virtue Ma’am. It definitely keeps a whole lot of other things in check. We truly don’t need too much!
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Theses days far too much is expected and peer pressure among even quite young children is horrendous.
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It is scary and really dreadful. They no longer find pleasure in the simple things of life
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I really can relate to this…Thanks so much for your beautiful writing and for being a great friend in the blogosphere, I have nominated you for the Infinity award because I think you are awesome. Check it out on the link http://www.tribe53.com/?p=1222
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate them and honoured to receive your nomination. Kind regards and have a great day.
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Talk about being contented. Less is more!! . Great post. 🙂
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Thanks dear 🙂
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I grew up in a similar manner and have become a better person for it. I’m not sure why nowadays we feel the need to give our kids so much….”Oh I want my kid to have everything I didn’t have”…is why we have a generation of people who don’t appreciate much. It doesn’t mean kids should live in poverty but that they should know the value of things.
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Precisely! I am really trying to reduce the buying of this and that but to spend as much time with them as I can.
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