Understanding the sentimental value of objects

 

Understanding the sentimental value of objects

 

An object's value is often expressed in terms of how much it costs, but is that always the case?   Do you know what sentimental value is? Sentimental value is the attachment we feel for something that's rare or valuable. It can also be attachment for an item that brings us comfort and is hard to part with.

 

Use bartering as an analogy to explain this to your child:

In the old days, to get something, you had to trade it for something else. The object's value was determined by how useful or necessary it was for immediate survival. You could exchange a valuable item for an essential one. Its value was based on scarcity, quality or function. The trust you had in the other person was the main factor guaranteeing the object's quality. Today, money makes it very clear what a person has to give up to get something in return. Back then, you would simply swap an object for another object or a unit for another unit. And these could be rounded. Now with money being used to buy and sell things, we need to be more precise and calculate amounts exactly.

 

When you get attached to an object, it's hard to part with it. Plus, our sense of value varies from person to person. You might think it's worth a lot more just because it belongs to you.

 

Martine's blanket

 

Take, for example, Martine's polar fleece blanket, which she treasures so dearly. It reminds her of her grandmother, who made it herself. When she was younger, Martine would drag it everywhere for warmth and comfort. Today, the blanket is all worn out. When she shows it to her children, they find it rather ugly and even suggest that she get rid of it. They don't understand what the blanket really means to her. They suggest she could throw it away. Yet the blanket means a great deal to her and is worth far more than the PS5 in the basement. Listening to Martine share her memories helps her children understand why she's so attached to the blanket. They even come up with a great idea to repurpose her beloved blanket. They've decide that, together, they're going to use the blanket to make a new pillow. This way, the blanket will be given a second life and Martine can continue to cherish it.

 

This short story illustrates how much can someone value an object and how proud they are to have it and show it off. It also helps teach your child that sentimental value increases the value of an object and that value differs from person to person. Just as a child might view their drawings as works of art.

 

Explaining the notion of sentimental value to your child can also help make certain conversations easier. They'll better understand their emotions and reactions as well as those of other family members. When the time comes to do a major cleanup of their room or the playroom, they'll be able to use what they've learned, talk their decisions through with you, be aware of the different perspectives and help find an agreement.

 

Good luck!