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You actually do not owe a child of any age an explaination for anything you do as a parent.
Be the adult, get her whatever gift you choose to give her and leave it at that.
It might be better to make a donation in her name to a children's charity or research hospital for children.
She might learn the value of giving to others and quit having the expectation of every whim or desire being fulfilled.
30% off is not really a good enough deal to purchase each prince and princess in your household a tablet.
Have you figured in the extra cost of having those tablets on a data plan?
You stated you are sick of the entitlement mentality of children yet you think giving them all tablets is not adding fuel to the entitlement fire?
How much homework do you really think those tablets are going to generate?
Get one desktop computer for the entire household to use, set parental controls so no games are played and make sure homework is the only thing that is done on that computer.
I still think tablets are a pretty extravagant gift, but I'd like to point out that they do not require a data plan; I use wifi at home, at work, at the library, at my kids' school, at the local coffee shop, etc. I'm just careful about what I access on-line, depending on my location (e.g., no on-line banking at Starbucks).
Honestly, looking back, my only regret growing up is that I wish my parents had been more forthcoming about finances. .
<had to cut 99% of excellent post for brevity>
I have the same regret. My parents never really talked to any of us (and there's 7!) about money, budgeting, large purchases, credit cards, etc. We've all made serious mistakes. And like you, when I planned to move out for the first time, I did my own research and was flabbergasted. Then, like you, I made my parents sit down with me to talk about money. Now, by that age, I already had a checking account, and was doing my own taxes (very basic), but I knew NOTHING about consumerism in general.
Growing up, I Knew my parents had financial limits due to the fact I heard all my life, "we can't afford it." So, when it came to my Christmas list, I knew I listed more than what I would actually receive, but I figured I was giving my parents a choice of items they could buy that I would really like. Now, multiply that by 7, and I knew the reality in which I lived.
30% off is not really a good enough deal to purchase each prince and princess in your household a tablet.
Have you figured in the extra cost of having those tablets on a data plan?
You stated you are sick of the entitlement mentality of children yet you think giving them all tablets is not adding fuel to the entitlement fire?
How much homework do you really think those tablets are going to generate?
Get one desktop computer for the entire household to use, set parental controls so no games are played and make sure homework is the only thing that is done on that computer.
These are becoming necessary for school. 'Tis not the 80's anymore. This is indeed the computer generation. They are not fancy pants iThisandthats...but sturdy, practical machines. I use mine all the time, and you don't have to pay extra for it. They are more convenient than a desktop and you can do the same things on them. Gone are the days of the encyclopedia...
I'm paying $250 for both total and I see that as a real deal.
My son is the gamer, but he likes console games (like Xbox...and they already have that). I think I can live with finding my 8 year old playing chess on it in the bathroom instead of researching grasshoppers.
And, really, I have a problem with Christmas lists. A gift is something the giver gives out of kindness and/or because he thinks you should have it. If you have demanded it on a list, it isn't really a gift anymore. The concept of a list actually helps create the entitlement, doesn't it?
And, really, I have a problem with Christmas lists. A gift is something the giver gives out of kindness and/or because he thinks you should have it. If you have demanded it on a list, it isn't really a gift anymore. The concept of a list actually helps create the entitlement, doesn't it?
No. Why do you look at it as a demand? I think that's what you need to ponder.
We're playing to gift game until they hit middle school...as soon as each one has reached middle school, they'll get a gift card to toys r us....or whatever store they might be into then for $100. We're not made out of money.
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