CBB featured in Chicago Tribune article 'Born to be Spoiled'

Laura Castle of the Chicago Tribune has written an article titled "Born to be Spoiled," which discusses the trend towards name brand items for babies, and CBB is featured in a paragraph regarding celebrity moms and Bugaboos. It reads, "Celebrity moms including Liv Tyler, Heidi Klum and Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly tote their tots around in Bugaboo Chameleon strollers, a popular pick since its appearance on an episode of "Sex in the City" in 2003, according to celebrity-babies.com."

Amazingly, the article states that Americans spent $29.4 billion dollars on infant and toddler clothes, toys, furniture and accessories in 2005, according to Marketresearch.com. Apparently, says Jelani Mandara, a professor at Northwestern University, parents are willing to spend big bucks on expensive brand name products because it improves their own image. She says, "It’s a status symbol to try and make the parents look good. Designers know that people love to have the name brand right where everyone can see it. They buy nice things and tell everyone about it."

What do you think – do you agree or disagree with Mandara’s statement? How do you decide what to buy for your children – is your decision based on name, quality, price, look, etc?

Comments

Price. I don’t buy anything expensive for my kid, since she’ll outgrow it/ruin it so fast.

The only thing I splurge on is Christmas dresses.

- Stacey on June 15th, 2006

CBB reader Elisabeth can’t log in to comment, but emails:

I am not rich but I cannot help but spoil my little ones. I use the links on CBB all the time to online stores. I love buying what the stars have. What I love most is that CBB posts it before the magazines hit the shelves so I get people saying to me “did you see Angelina’s baby has the same T-shirt as [your daughter] Mackenzie?” or “Denise bought the same socks as you!”

- Sarah CBB Editor on June 15th, 2006

I would feel ridiculous if I bought my daughter a pair of socks like, let’s say Zahara’s. I don’t like to imitate anybody, and obviously I won’t make my daughter a fan of celebrities, or an imitator at this early age! She is unique and perfect the way she is.

To answer the question, brand names don’t do anything for me, but it’s true that sometimes the nicest little things are expensive. But you could definately find reasonable, quality clothes.

- ali686 on June 15th, 2006

I splurge on things that will make a difference. I see nothing wrong with spending $300-500 on a Maclaren stroller since they are so much easier to push compared to cheaper ones. I can’t see myself spending $1200 on a stroller just to look like a celeb though. I buy my daughter used name brand clothing on ebay just because it’s cheaper and also because they last longer. She plays hard so I don’t want something wearing out before she outgrows it.

- Lorus on June 15th, 2006

I think it’s utterly ridiculous to spend huge amounts of money on trendy stuff for little kids – it’s all about the egos of the shallow parents.

My girls wear 90% hand-me-downs. I don’t even care much about what state the clothes are in. They’re kids for goodness sake, what does it matter if they look shabby when they’re only going to be climbing trees and playing in the sandbox. If there’s a special occasion I’ll dig out something nice, but I’d never spend a lot of money on anything. Second-hand or home made is just fine.

Whenever I see someone pushing a Bugaboo stroller I assume they are pretentious, unimaginative and clearly have work to do on their priorities. I can’t help but wonder what that $900 could do for say, orphans in Darfur or even the many children in this country that live below the poverty line.

Sorry, I know I’m on my soap box, but this topic hit a nerve. It speaks to the rampant and mindless consumerism that to me represents everything that is wrong with America today. Like, if I dress my toddler in some hip, overpriced, “vintage” Ramones tee-shirt then suddenly we’re all “cool.” Yuck.

- faghag on June 15th, 2006

I invested in good quality items when my daughter was born (pram, carseat,cot) but my decision was based on safety and brand reputation, not whether a celebrity endorsed it. And I make 95% of her clothes (sewn and knitted) so I barely spend anything on clothing her. I will admit to making clothing based on stuff I’ve seen in magazines though – why spend $70 on a onesie when I can spend $5 and make on in a similar style?

- meliciousgirl on June 15th, 2006

Amen to that faghag!!

“I think it’s utterly ridiculous to spend huge amounts of money on trendy stuff for little kids – it’s all about the egos of the shallow parents.”

That could not have been worded better, especially the last part of it!! My husband and I both have awsome well paid jobs. We are not rolling in endless piles or anything like the Hilton’s but are happy. He is a Surgeon and I’m an RN. We buy our children items based off a a few different criteria. First off when it is bigger items like carseats and strollers and that those items we go and review safety reviews on each item and also go off other users reviews either in person from friends or through stores like babiesrus.com. They have the reviews posted. Who knows better than the experts that review them and other parents! When it comes to clothing and shoes I buy what I like. My kids closets have a large range. We have from Wal-Mart to Gymboree and those other type stores. My daughter is currently wearing a Wal-Mart tank top with a Lily skirt. I could care less what anybody else thinks as long as my kids are clean, clothed and happy! I too wear things from Wal-Mart to the higher end stores. What matters is if you like it. I personally think some of that garbage from those celebrity stores is awful and just plain trashy looking. Children look like they have horrible additudes in those logo t-shirts. I think the Mom ones are class less too. They come across being so negative. Not something kids should be taught.

I think those bugaboo strollers SUCK!! My husbands co-worker bought one and she hates the thing too! She tried to pawn it off on me and I told her I wanted nothing to do with it after pushing my kids in it a few times. I have had so many better cheaper strollers. My third child we bought a Venezia and I hated that stroller also and gasp lol donated it to a battered womens and children shelter. I personally recommend the Maclaren in every style. That thing handles like a charm. It is actually worth the couple extra bucks!

I think that too many people buy these things to look classy or upper class but really look like snots! I wish people would quit worrying about everybody else and buy items that suit them and their needs not the eyes of others!

- 3SweetKiddos on June 15th, 2006

I forgot to add something. We feel that is much more important for us to spend money on the kids future in addition to not splurging on every “in” item everytime a new one comes out. We put money into our childrens IRA’s and stocks for them in addition to their college funds and saving accounts. I think the future investment well outweighs looking “in” when in reality most people don’t care!

- 3SweetKiddos on June 15th, 2006

Honestly here in Holland, everyone has a bugaboo and not the rich either! We have friends who don’t have much money at all and they have one. Know why? ALL strollers in this country are insanely priced. May as well pay a little bit more for a nice one! Our first quinny stroller we got ON SALE for 450 euro and out 2nd quinny was 200 euro but it’s a very very tiny one with not many bells or whistles. I had originally bought a Graco in the USA but since we do everything with strollers here it wasn’t durable enough for all of the stone streets and grocery shopping (most of us don’t drive we bike or walk!). So if you think about it that way, a nice quality stroller is a necessity for people here. I don’t know that you need one to shop at an American mall though

- bookofsnow on June 16th, 2006