How Can A Parent Not Give Their All To Their Children?

Before I had kids, I used to imagine that I would be the type of parent who can be firm and yet generous in my fantasized interactions with my children. I figured that since my father brought the 5 of us up with only the bare necessities in life, I will be able to not indulge in the whims of my own children when I do have them in the future.

In reality, I fall really short of my father's disciplined method of bringing up kids. I do not know if I am subconsciously compensating for my lack of exposure to the material world, in my childhood; I have been trying to analyse my inability to draw a line when it comes to giving my children everything that might help them maximise their adult potential, but so far, I still have not figure out why I simply cannot say No to my kids or to any marketing representative of kids-related businesses.

Every month, I make resolutions to not add any extra expenses when it comes to the children. Yet somehow, it happens. I find myself either signing up the girls for some interesting lessons or I end up buying some 'educational' plaything or shoes and clothing for my fast growing dolls. I find it so difficult to hold back and wonder sometimes if I might some sort of undiagnosed obsessive compulsion.

At this rate I'm going, I wonder how on earth we're going to afford to bring up all 3 of our babies with the very best in life, till they reach adulthood. Very scary thought!

I think that both Gerry and myself will have to work really hard for a very long time before we can retire. That seems like the most likely scenario judging from my inability to exercise self-control. =P