Dear Parent,
Are you the parent of a "gimme gimme" kid?
Are your kids always at you to buy,buy,buy?
Do you tell your kids, "Money doesn't grow
on trees?" At the same time do you feel
like you can't say no? And to top it off
do you feel that your kids are ungrateful
for what you get them?
If you are like most parents, you can say
no some of the time. But sometimes, your
kids just wear you down and you give in.
Then you just want to kick yourself and
find yourself wishing you hadn't said yes.
I am going to help you with staying on
track for saying no, when you really want
to.
But first, I want to tell you that it is
not your fault. You are not weak, a bad
parent or disorganized! Our society has
drastically changed in the past 30 years.
Buy, Buy, Buy is everywhere!
We have been conditioned to believe that
buying makes us feel good. But we know
that that "feel good " thing is temporary
and only lasts until we buy the next thing.
Our kids are being conditioned at a pace
that makes our childhoods look like we
had no toys! You order a happy meal and
get a toy-more stuff keeps coming into
your house.
Now not only do you have a
toy explosion, you have so much clutter
you can't even think straight.
So here are a few suggestions to help
you stick to your values about stuff.
1. Don't take your kids shopping with
you. I know this sounds a bit crazy and
at times will be impractical. But it
does solve the problem. If you don't
take them to the grocery store, they
can't ask for a candy or a toy.
2. Give your kids a weekly allowance.
In the event you do have to bring them,
make sure they bring it and spend their
own money-They will learn quickly if
they want to save for something that
they really want.
3. Limit TV, Internet. The media wants
your children to buy. They convice your
kid that they won't be cool unless they
have the latest game or gadget.
Public TV does not have commercials.
4. Get your kids outside in nature.
Let them get creative with the outdoors
and the elements. Remember what is was
like to lose an entire afternoon in
pretend?
5. Save toys for special occasiions such
as birthdays and holiday giving. You
don't have to gift your children in between.
Having them wait,teaches them not to
crave immediate gratification..
If you enjoyed this, hope to have you
join me for Secrets and Lies of Raising Kids:
Free tele-seminar: Tues. May 20, 2008
8PM EST
Click here to register for:
Secrets and Lies of Raising Kids
http://parentingpowers.com/freetel5_20.htm
susan@parentingpowers.com
860-437-0233