What do you give the child who has already cost you $12,000 this year?

by Elizabeth on December 17, 2009

As I try to finish my Christmas shopping, my inner Grinch is raising its ugly head. And this green eyed monster is asking me one question: Why?

Why are you stressing about buying gifts for the child who has a pony? But yet I am consumed with thoughts such as: do I have enough? Will she notice that her brother has more gifts in his pile? Will that upset her? What else can I get her that won’t cost too much? Why is there no more room on my credit card?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

As far as I’m concerned, the fact that she has a pony should absolve me from any parental gift-giving for the rest of her and my natural life.

So here’s what I am reminding myself, in an attempt to be my own therapist:

The girl is very appreciate. Otherwise she wouldn’t have said pony.

Our “gifts” to the girl this year have already included:

$6,000 in room and board for a Connemara pony that has a better view of Vermont’s Green Mountains from her stall and paddock than I do in my own home.

$1,500 in lessons.

At least $1,000 in farrier and vet bills.

M ore than $3,000 spent on horse shows.

And I’m guessing a few random thousand here and there on horse related items that I have chosen to forget.

Not to mention the free room and board, pony boot camp and trailering provided by Auntie Kathleen in New Jersey over the summer.

I feel like I should close with a thanks to my own parents, who suffered these same indignities with not one, but two daughters.

Happy Holidays!

Share

{ 6 comments }

Melissa December 17, 2009 at 9:01 am

Ah yes. It could be worse ….going thru this with 2 girls instead of one. 😉

Question: What do you get your younger of two horse obsessed children who doesn’t want or need a thing because she has all her sisters hand-me-downs? Any ideas??

Marissa December 17, 2009 at 2:10 pm

Don’t stress. I would have given up all other presents (Christmas, birthday, tooth fairy, what have you) in lieu of a pony when I was a little girl. I’m sure if your daughter is anything like I was, she loves her pony so much that she already feels like she has everything she wants!

Cynthia January 6, 2010 at 11:08 pm

I have to say I am enjoying your blog! It is so nice to relate to the topics. I have a 10 year old on her third pony since the age of five. I am now living in beautiful Colorado but moved from California 4 years ago. Snow sure does bring in a different element of horse care that is for sure! I think it just makes you even more aware of your love for the animal.
My daughter is going to try to qualify her pony for the Pony Finals this year in the green divison. Any suggestion? We have never even been to good old KY. Oh… going to bookmark ya.

admin January 7, 2010 at 8:56 pm

Cynthia, so nice to meet you! CA to CO is a big change! Are your horses at home? What does it take qualify for pony finals? KY is supposed to be beautiful and WARM. Save your pennies for show season……

Cynthia January 26, 2011 at 3:12 pm

I am on your blog hoping to find a little comfort from todays task… my daughter’s medium pony has been sold, in thirty minutes she will be loaded up into a trailer to live with another lucky little girl & show barn. She is the most amazing pony ever & is so loved. My daughter is so heart broken that she is asking to get a horse this time instead of a large pony. I have to say I can’t blame her.

Elizabeth January 28, 2011 at 10:11 am

Oh! My heart is with you and your daughter! It is so hard. Hugs and kisses to both of you. If she is ready to make the jump to a horse, go for it.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: