Tell Your Kids No
Dear Parents:
On Yahoo, there's an article about how some parents are begging toy companies to stop marketing toys directly at children, because then the kids will nag their parents for what they want. A lot of folks can't afford the shiny new toys with the big price tags and some kids just want everything they see (and whine until they get it). Heavens forbid parents have to tell their kids "no," or that they have to substitute something more affordable.
As someone who grew up poor, I have this to offer: Parents need to teach their children that they can't have every little thing they want *anyway,* regardless of whether times are lean or lush. It's not about disregard or neglect but about self-control and reality. Children need to be taught to be grateful for what they have, and they need to hear the word "no" once in a while, even on Christmas. It will not break their life if they can't have the latest toy.
As for children whining for what they want? If I had done that to my mother, it simply would not have flown. I knew better than to cry or whine or nag, from a very early age. Tantrums and continual bombardment were simply not tolerated. If you start training your children early enough, you will not have to put up with the incessant whining that drives so many parents to give in. If you've let your small children make the decisions about Christmas spending thus far, then you've made a problem for yourself that will have to be fixed - and that's all on you.
On Yahoo, there's an article about how some parents are begging toy companies to stop marketing toys directly at children, because then the kids will nag their parents for what they want. A lot of folks can't afford the shiny new toys with the big price tags and some kids just want everything they see (and whine until they get it). Heavens forbid parents have to tell their kids "no," or that they have to substitute something more affordable.
As someone who grew up poor, I have this to offer: Parents need to teach their children that they can't have every little thing they want *anyway,* regardless of whether times are lean or lush. It's not about disregard or neglect but about self-control and reality. Children need to be taught to be grateful for what they have, and they need to hear the word "no" once in a while, even on Christmas. It will not break their life if they can't have the latest toy.
As for children whining for what they want? If I had done that to my mother, it simply would not have flown. I knew better than to cry or whine or nag, from a very early age. Tantrums and continual bombardment were simply not tolerated. If you start training your children early enough, you will not have to put up with the incessant whining that drives so many parents to give in. If you've let your small children make the decisions about Christmas spending thus far, then you've made a problem for yourself that will have to be fixed - and that's all on you.