NWR: I really don't like being told what to buy...

caymans_christy

Since when do 11-12 year olds get to dictate what I buy them for Christmas?  Or how much I am going to spend??What ever happend to writing a list for Santa?  Or telling mom and dad?  And then, when I ask, the kid's mom or dad can give me options??  With a range of costs...  So irritating

Soon2bMrsNaylor

It's sad how materialistic some kids are nowadays. I really hope I can teach my kids not only better manners, but to appreciate the little things so it's not always about bigger and better stuff.

chosen175

I think by 11 or 12, the kids should know better.  If they were 5, MAYBE.  As a mom, I DREAD having a greedy kid!  I would be so embarassed if dd did something like that.  I'd let the parents know , cuz I would definitely want to know myself so I could have a nice talking-to with dd about appropriateness and materialism.... right before I grounded her. lol

MzelleRicaine

Dudette,Just because the pre-teen brat is being, well, a brat, doesn't mean you have to give in! I think that oftentimes our roles as adults in children's lives make us the "bad guys" in their eyes at the time, but it's worth it in the long run. It's important to teach them that gifts and services (tk version: wedding gifts and showers are expressions of love and gratitude and never to be expected, and that there's no price tag on that.This kind of explanation often brings on a good deal of pouting and maybe even some name-calling, but IMO, we as adults are not there to be liked, we're there to love them and help add polite, properly functioning people to the world! *m*