Lynne spent $246 on a series of books that she was saving for when her daughter was older "for when she turns maybe a teenager for how to approach friends at school. And how to pick the bad side or the good side." Likewise, Jill appreciates books as valuable tools for learning. She purchases educational workbooks for her son and also has books tucked away for when her son is older. She adds, "Like every chance I get, I try to get him a different variety of books. Ah whether it's ah…teaching him his shapes, to counting, to ah…how to make pancakes!"

Computers and education-oriented resources.

None of the homes have personal computers which could serve as a tool to allow families to experience other worlds of possibility, at least vicariously. Jane takes the bus to the Parent Resource Centre downtown and uses the computer available there. Both Andrea and Lynne express a deep desire for their children to have access to a home computer. The notion of the computer as an important educational tool seemed to be heavily influenced by its promotion as a learning tool at school. The parents know, however, that they are restricted in purchasing one due to their financial situation.

These parents acquire toys and books for their children that they feel are educationally oriented. Lynne, one of the few participants with access to transportation since her partner drives a taxi, goes to great lengths doing the Saturday morning yard sale circuit to buy books, puzzles and other toys at church bazaars and summer yard sales:

[I] pick up all kinds of books there and puzzles [at the yard sales]…And she [my daughter] come with me to yard sales in the summer time…My day off, she'll come with me…Like she saves up her money and she'll say "Mom let's go shopping at [the yard sale]"…'cause now they got like a store. The [church] they sell to help families that can't really afford the basics…a shirt they sell it for a dollar…a toy for 50 cents. She goes there and looks at the clothes and toys. To her it's new. It's the first time she weared it [or played with the toy], she says it's new.