5 of 20

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

4 to almost 21 and none are particularly materialistic. They also have come to understand there are many children who do not have toys and are therefore thoughtful and generous at Christmas charities. The older brothers also tell the younger sisters that the commercials are just gimmicks to get them to spend money. It helps that they have an allowance and are told to spend their own money for some of those "gotta have it" items. The result is once they realize how much of their own money they have to spend, the items becomes less enticing.

To sum up what has worked with me is that we have always been honest with our children in what we could afford. We model the behavior we want in them so they never see us clamoring for the latest gadget or shoe sale. We stress delayed gratification and saving for an item like the PSP my thirteen-year-old wants for Christmas. We are also parents and not their friends or genie-in-a-bottle, we use the power of no. We do not bargain or discuss a no answer with our children. We also do not compete with other parents, so what if their little Johnny has the latest and greatest, that is their home, not ours. We do not let indulging our children take the place of the greatest "toys" ever such as dinner together every night, family reading, taking walks together, playing in the snow, working on scrapbooks together, coloring together, or eating popcorn together while watching a DVD. Children ultimately want time with their parents and there are many creative things to do other than buy something hawked by a marketer, especially for Christmas 2007 with the enormous toy recalls!

Learn more about this author, Taye Foster Bradshaw.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How to resist advertising pressure to buy more toys for your child?
We want to hear your view. Write now!