Should my Children be Minimalists too?

Photo Credit JapanToday

Many of us have children, in fact for me at least one of the reasons I become a minimalist was because of my children and lack of space to put all the stuff. So should my children be forced into minimalist lifestyle?

Let's say Christmas time comes rolling about and your lovely parents and inlaws are over to visit. For those fortunate enough that is 4 grandparents and if you have a bigger family then oh boy we know what that means. Any who you have specifically requested everyone not to gift you, however does this right extend over to your children? Do you as a parent have the ability to reject your child's presents? Happiness of owning stuff brings them short-term joy? 

On one hand it can be treated like a drug, if a drug brings your child instant happiness and melts the world away but it's terrible for their health. Then a parent is obligated to use almost any means necessary to help their children by either taking away the drugs or by blocking the means of obtaining it.

However, in this situation you would need to treat consumerism like a disease. Is consumerism a disease? A psychological problem that we have all developed but since it benefits the "society" it goes unnoticed? Or about forcing an ideal that the parents or parent much like a religion? We will discuss this later down the road.

Assuming that consumerist attitudes towards owning stuff is not harmful long-term then the parent will be in the position of being a jerk and denying the child of short-term happiness. And in the process violate a core idea of minimalism "the pursuit of happiness" for the child and bring an unpleasant experience for all other people in the room.

What do you guys think?