How did I ever survive

without AA batteries when I was a kid? I've given this far more thought that I should have but while everyone else is up in arms about politics and such, I can't help but wonder when did batteries become such a necessity for kids?

I can't remember having a single toy that required a battery. On Christmas morning, Jacob, Carly, Wesley and Ryan all had a 24 pack of batteries in their stockings. When I purchased those, I bought 3 extra packages also. I'll do the math for you - that's 168 AA batteries. That is a lot of batteries. They are now gone. Every last one of them - used by greedy Leapsters, remote control cars and other battery eating toys. And they've been gone for at least a month.

Oh, I know what you're thinking and I've bought plug in chargers for the Leapsters - 3 of them in fact. I've also bought rechargeable batteries before - they are gone too. Thrown away by kids in too much of a rush to pay attention to what they were pitching.

I have declared a moratorium on battery buying - at least by me. Now they must choose.....do they want a Swiss Roll with that snack money or do they want new batteries? Because this mom ain't buying anymore till Christmas.