When In Touch reported that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes bought 5-year-old daughter Suri a $100,000 tree house, the initial reaction from most people was likely one of shock, disgust, revulsion, etc. How anyone could think a mini-estate for a kiddo "complete with running water, electricity, as well as shag carpeting" is a great way to spend $100K seems kind of mind-boggling at first. But after considering it for a moment or two, it doesn't seem that crazy. Hear me out.
First of all, in relation to the mansion TomKat must live in and the moolah they have to their names, spending $100K on a mini-house for their daughter probably makes sense. And in defense of spending like this on a tree house at all, let me tell you -- it was one thing I would have been over-the-moon for when I was Suri's age.
Actually, there were a few homey things I coveted as a kid: A window seat, where I could look out at our front or backyard while reading my Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High books (I was obsessed), a canopy bed (I was also obsessed with this, and heartbroken when my mom told me it was "bad Feng Shui"), and a tree house.
I don't know if I ever expressed my desire to have a tree house. I do know I loved hanging out in the "fort" my guy friends had built in one of their backyards, and when I saw what the girls in Now & Then had, I was super-jealous.
Why? A tree house is a place to get away from the grown-ups when you're a kid and to really own any kind of make-believe game. PLUS, I would think as a parent, depending on the child's age, it's probably nice to know they're having fun with friends or, in Suri's case, a nanny or two or three.
If used properly, Suri's tree house will probably afford her a lot of awesome good-time memories and bolster her imagination. That, to me, seems worth what her uber-rich Hollywood parents spent on her mini-mansion in the sky.
Are you pro- or anti-tree house?
Image via D'Arcy Norman/Flickr
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Comments 78
It’s their money to do what they want and besides it keeps people employed every time they purchase something.
The $100,000 tree house and $150,000 shoe collection that this child has could have been well spent on charity or a child whom needs to be fed and/or sheltered.
I think that price tag is a bit extreme....
I am just as blown away by some of these comments as I am with Tom and Katie's immature and selfish behavior. Seriously? Their money? Wow! They could put their money to better use and help others. Feeding the economy? Hardly. Donating it to a school or playground? That's exactly what hungry and homeless kids need. It must be nice to live in the bubble you all seem to hide in. If I had the kind of money those tools have, I would do everything I could to help the less fortunate. People can be so self involved.
Please. Judging them and calling them selfish and bad parents because they didn't give all of the money away to charity is just silly. Do you do that? No? Why not? Oh because you live paycheck to paycheck? What about those that dont even have a paycheck? Do you help them? No? But you would if you had Tom and Katy's money right? I'm sure I could find plenty of people who would find YOUR spending excessive because they are out of a job and getting food from a food bank while you buy a second car to ease the "stress" of only having one car.
Moral of the story: Life is hard enough without being judged.
Just because you think the spending they do is excessive doesn't mean t
Mindy, don't assume to know what I do with my money. My house did not cost as much as this child's toy. I know how to keep things in perspective.
I guess the difference between me and people like you is that I realize that children do not need these types of things to make them happy. I hate to see children spoiled in this way and not be taught the value of that "hard earned money".
Of course my children have more than one toy, but most have been bought by friends and family and we do donate to the less fortunate whenever we can. I do not believe that children need so much "stuff". Especially something so extravagant. Please stop defending this, you sound as bad as Tom and Katie. I want to know why you are so upset by comments not patting these two on the back. Are you guilty of not teaching your children about people less fortunate?
I totally agree "kjsbugsmom". What is the point of the tree house if you arent having her use her imagination. And i dont care if they earn it or not . IT makes me sick to think of someone spending that much $ on a freaking treehouse, yes! it is definitly he mini mansion". THere is animals that get abused who need surgery or whatever and thousands of strays who need homes,people, kids, babies who are are lucky if they have food and dont starve that day. SO YES I DONT CARE HOW MUCH THEY MAKE ,I DONT KNOW HOW THEY COULD EVEN SLEEP AT NIGHT. i always said if i was rich i would rescure the dogs from the pound and give them away. Id make sure they would get a good home. well that is just my opnion.
I totally agree sgr123! its so annoying hearing how much celebrities spent on this or that. How much crap is going on in this world and they spend the $ like its nothing. there so many charities that i would donate.