Random Parenting Tip: Don't Buy Your Kids Stuff They Just Asked For

Happy Monday Fellow Parenting Enthusiasts!


Like the subject line suggests, random parenting tip coming your way. This one comes courtesy of Mary, a mother of 4 boys whom I met during a Body Pump class at the YMCA. During a break we were talking about our smalls and she offered this gem: Don't buy your kids stuff they just asked for.


Very early on, Mary set the precedent that her kids would not be obliged if they asked her to buy them anything while at the store. Any store. She would remind them before entering and would defer them with any of a number of tactics: "let's put that on your wish list" being at the top. Whatever the case, she would not cave. It didn't always avoid a melt down, and yet, she felt it minimized them drastically. With four kids in tow, can you imagine the racket with everyone begging for their own stuff? Mayhem! And financial ruin to boot.


On the analytic side, not buying them what they ask for accomplishes a number of objectives. First and foremost, it saves money and time. Second, it teaches patience. Third, it helps separate the wheat from the chaff in that if they ask for something more than a couple of times, chances are they really want it. If not, well, you saved the money and the space in your house. Fourth, it sets you up for success, for if you give that wanted item to them later,  "just because" or for some other occasion, you're the hero. And they learn that sometimes, you CAN get what you ask for, just not right that exact moment. Win-win parenting moment. Hey wait! That's awesome! I think I have a new tag line. Homegroan by di, helping identify the win-win parenting moments! Huzzah!


Thanks Mary for offering this helpful hint in parenting!


Happy Parenting!