Sarah’s Kids, Materialism, Presents and the Peaceful Parenting Long View: Episode 215

In this episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I bring back one of my favourite holiday episodes, which is an interview with my kids, where we talk about ‘people, not stuff’.

Every year around the holidays, I hear from parents who are worried their kids are too focused on presents, too greedy, or too materialistic — and they’re afraid they’re getting something wrong. I made this episode to offer a long-term perspective.

I interviewed my own kids (then 14, 17, and 20) about what holidays and gifts felt like when they were little — and what actually mattered as they got older.

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We talk about:

• 2:00 — Intro: replay episode + why parents worry about “greedy/materialistic” kids
• 3:00 — Holiday schedule update + invitation to email podcast ideas/guest suggestions
• 3:34 — Why this episode: parents’ concerns about consumerism + interviewing Sarah’s kids
• 4:00 — Important context: privilege, money, and why this worry comes from a privileged place
• 5:00 — Two practical ways to handle privilege: Santa gifts + donating new presents
• 7:00 — Meet Maxine (14): how holiday meaning shifts with age (family time, traditions, coziness)
• 11:38 — “Ungrateful” little kids: why it’s normal + what parents shouldn’t panic about
• 13:23 — What helps long-term: building traditions + experiences as gifts
• 16:34 — Meet Asa (17): growing out of the “wanting stuff” stage + values changing over time
• 21:05 — Middle school + fitting in: when brand-name wanting peaks (and why)
• 22:30 — What parents should do: keep kids grounded + relax
• 23:01 — Meet Lee (20): consumerism awareness, “people not stuff,” and the post-holiday letdown
• 32:00 — Gratitude + privilege: why kids can’t fully grasp it yet, and how it comes with time
• 33:31 — Reassurance: if you’re worried about this, you’re probably already doing fine
• 34:34 — Wrap-up: “the parenting podcast paradox” + holiday wishes

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Download the episode transcript HERE

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