Free kids book- batteries not included

[pingu97]

I saw the advert on TV to phone for this free book from the childrens society, with cheap activities & recipes in it to do with your kids over the xmas period, so i rang it up and ordered it, but was then asked if i'd be kind enough to make a small donation of 20 quid, which i immediatley said no to as i dont have that kind of money to spare at this time of the year, before the lady asked for it she told me all about the charity & the kids that would be suffering at xmas time, so i ended up feeling rotten for not being able to donate anything! Just wondering if anyone else thinks it's a bit much to ask for at xmas time, it wouldnt of seemed so bad if she hadnt of asked for a specific amount! i'm in no way tight i do as much as i can for charities including helping out in the kids wards at xmas, i know they need the donations to survive i just thought it was a bit much!

[smudge742]

I rang up for this book, and the guy I spoke to was very pleasant, and asked if I wanted to make a donation, said any amount, even a pound would help. I certainly wasn't asked for �20! That's awful. I did donate, but he understood that at this time of year, people don't have a lot spare. The book is really sweet, and I didn't mind donating for it. If you want the book, then ring back and see what happens, if the same happens again, I would ask to speak to a manager, after all, the ad says it is free!

[pingu97]

No sorry i'm still getting the book, but they did ask for 20 quid, i wouldve probably donated had it not of been a set amount, the poor girl sounded embarrassed after she asked me for it, but they're still sending it, glad it's good it's so hard to find cheap things to do with the kids at this time of year!

[Thunderchild]

hm 20 pounds is a bit stiff no charity shoukd set such figures I'd say 5-10 pounds gosh 20 pounds is what nearly 1/2 a days wages and we don't always find full time work do we

[FoxLee]

I don't know how old your children are but surely just spending time with them, playing with them, needn't cost anything at all. A pack of cards and you can play snap or pairs with young children or knockout whist/rummy/brag with older children. Playing give us a clue is fun and free. Organizing a treasure hunt in the house or garden with choc.coins wrapped in gold as the treasure. Get a book out the library on magic tricks and learn to do some with your kids. Go for walks, feed the ducks, kick a ball around in the park. Loads of things are free, just use your imagination.

[amonty1144]

I should have sent for the book, my 5 year old son decided to entertain himself by seeing if he could sledge down the stairs on a matress, he now has a broken collar bone ...

[Ice.Maiden]

Oh bless! Hope he'll soon feel more comfortable - but isn't that just kid-like? A perfect example of what most children'd like to do! Ours used to try and slide down the bannister, but a drop onto a stone floor could've killed them, so we had to put a stop to it. Shame really. Guess we should've padded it with mattresses and let them get on with it!!!

[pingu97]

I do loads of free & inexpensive things already with my daughter we have even made all our own christmas decorations this year and seem to spend nearly every day at the park, I just thought it'd be interesting to get some fresh ideas!

[JOJOLAMOORE]

I got this book but instead of ringing up i got it online by typing in "batteries not included".I don't agree with being asked for a specified amount as a donation as it puts you in an awkward position,a donation should be whatever you can afford.I did'nt have to make a donation as such,but there is a form you can fill in to make your own contribution which i am going to do.