Christmas survival tactics
 Say
no to pester power!
With all the adverts on TV and sparkly shop displays, your child will
be hyped up to the hilt with ideas for Christmas presents. So much so
that, as parenting charity Parentline Plus recognises, it can be hard
to say no to their pester power. Here are their tips for surviving
"It can feel good to spoil your child with expensive gifts and it's
hard to say no sometimes', says Parentline Plus's Shirley Parker, 'but
parents can actually help their kids see they can't always have everything.
One thing we advise is ask children to list presents in order of preference
with a limit of five."
Even if your child faithfully says 'please' or 'thank you' every time
they are captivated by a new toy, it will not help you or your budget
if you constantly find yourself giving in. For this reason, Parentline
Plus has drawn up a list of top tips to get you through the run-up to
Christmas.
- Don't feel guilty for not having a bottomless purse. Especially if
you want to give them things you never had. It helps to be calmly honest
and explain what you think is value for money and what is affordable.
- Don't say yes unless you mean it. If your child asks you if they
can have something and you feel put on the spot, tell them you will
think about it so you can give them a final answer rather than break
a promise which can be hard for your child to understand.
- Remember that children change their minds every week with new crazes.
Help them to see that they can't have everything they want - tell them
that not even Father Christmas has that much money and ask them to list
presents in order of preference with a limit of five.
- When you say no, mean it. If your kids know that you will eventually
cave in they will keep trying.
- Agree tactics with your partner and stick to them so you don't undermine
each other.
- Even if you say no try to show your child you understand how they
feel. Sometimes as parents we forget how important something can be.
Even if the answer is no, try not to be flippant with your answer.
- Try to get out of the habit of buying something every time you go
out and make treats be what they are treats - especially in the run
up to Christmas. If you know your child will start asking for a new
toy, take one of their favourites in your bag to distract them. Or if
you know your child will want a drink or a snack pop some in your bag.
They will soon learn that mummy or daddy's purse doesn't come out for
them every time you go out.
Where
to next?
|
