How to gently let down a four year old :(

[Florathefern]

My DD (4) originally wanted a Pony Cycle for Christmas. As we simply do not have the space, I persuaded her that Santa wouldn't be able to bring one as there just wasn't enough room for it and after a number of months (!) she accepted it and decided she will ask for a Zoomer dog instead. There are two problems -
One is that the reviews for the Zoomer dog are terrible. They don't work, don't charge, break easily, don't respond to children's voices etc, bad aftersales service etc.
The second problem is that presumably due to the above issues, they seem to have stopped selling them and it looks like it was replaced with the Zoomer Chimp.

But she wanted the dog. I asked her if she'd like Georgie the dog who looks pretty ok but she already has two similar type dogs and she doesn't want Georgie. I showed her Zoomer Marshall (Paw Patrol) and she isn't keen. He seems to have limited functions he doesn't appear to roll over etc and she just doesn't want him.

What do I say/do in this situation please? She has her heart set on him and I feel guilty because I have already said no to Pony Cycle........

[Rockpebblestone]

Just tell her the truth, you have found out the Zoomer dogs keep breaking so nobody (including Santa), can obtain them anymore.

[Florathefern]

Thanks Rock I told her that this morning and she burst into tears. She is a really great kid and usually accepts things easily but she just has her heart set on this toy ;(

[TheWrathFromHighAtopTheThing]

I wouldn't go on about it to be honest; she'll be blown away on Christmas morning by having a pile of presents that she'll probably be thrilled no matter what.

[tabulahrasa]

www.buysend.com/Product/Details/196540?U=zoomer-zuppie-flora-electronic-toy/&gclid=CK-lkLOrqNACFQ0z0wodM08GJw

Is it this one?

[ghostspirit]

I would try not to make a big deal over it. As said above I'm sure she will have lovely presents.

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

Aww, get her a real puppy.

[TKRedLemonade]

My little one has repeatedly asked for Tickle me Elmo. They dont make them anymore either. However I plan on buying a second had one so if its crap it wont have broken the bank and am spending the extra money on a great surprise so she still gets what she wants but incase its crap she has her surprise.

[Cheerybigbottom]

My son wanted a particular toy that was expensive, hard to get and had awful awful reviews. He's 4 as well.

I just explained that the elves thought the toy he wanted was for bigger boys but they can do him something similar. He took this well because I mentioned something else he's asked Santa for and oh yes they say that's fine because cheery's boy always washes behind his ears lol.

Can you contrive something similar for your daughter? The elves have run out of parts for the dog and are making monkeys now? Or they suggest something else, but don't worry that other thing you wanted is already packed up in the sleigh...

[Notso]

Just don't mention it. Mine ask for all kinds of stuff they have never received but are always happy for what they do get.
My five year old would love a mobile phone, he will be getting playmobil!

[Mol1628]

Just get her something else nice and she will forget it.

[Tiggles]

I rather like this book it tells the story of a boy who keeps asking for wonderful things for Christmas and Father Christmas never quite brings them. Then one year he asks for a real live penguin, and he gets him, and then he finds out that maybe owning a penguin isn't quite as easy as he thought. We have read this story for many years and talked about how we don't always get what we ask for.

[Florathefern]

She will ask lots of questions about how I managed to speak to the elves. She is a thinker and it will open up a big can of worms.

I have used 'that toy is for bigger kids' to death I'm afraid.

The Zoomer puppy linked above is less than half the price of the original one. I guess it could be worth a gamble and if it is rubbish, it won't be as bad. I will read the reviews and check it out. Thanks for posting it.

[ghostspirit]

Depending on my mood I eother say you can't have it you will have to see what you get for Xmas.

Or I tell them to choose 5 things and I will (try) to get at least one of them items they have chosen.

[throwingpebbles]

I think it's actually quite important, hard that the lessons is, that their expectations in terms of what Santa will/ can bring them are managed. Otherwise you end up being one of those parents frantically chasing the latest "must have".
(I am highly indulgent and want mine to love Christmas, but part of that means not getting swept away in huge gestures)

[Florathefern]

I think I am more worried than I perhaps should be because while I got Christmas presents, I rarely got what I wanted. I got eg a music box instead of a radio, a doll that was the most non cuddley doll imaginable when I really wanted a baby doll with a soft body.

My childhood memories of Christmas morning are pretty non existent. I remember maybe one or two years. The rest were disappointing but I learned to hide it as there was another reason that Christmas was not a celebratory time in our home. Even now, I find it hard to get worked up about Christmas. I smile, I play Christmas songs, I put up the tree but there is little inner excitement.

I suppose I want my kids to feel differently. That doesn't all come down to what gifts they get but it does contribute to making their morning better than my Christmas mornings were.

Sorry: that is a bit much for a Christmas thread.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

How about the Lucy dog Here

It responds to commands and not too expensive.

I understand what you mean about Christmas; I always got the slightly 'wrong' thing. But you can only do your best, and just the fact you are putting so much effort in will mean your dd will have lovely memories.

[Keptmanskeeper]

Create some family traditions for Christmas! I have wonderful memories of Christmas as a child that don't involve presents at all: going out in the snow to choose and chop down the tree; decorating the tree while drinking a glass of non-alcoholic egg nog; Dad telling us the Christmas Story (or the Night Before Christmas) in front of the fire; the Christmas lights being on when I got up in the morning (someone had got up early to put them on!), and so on. With my sons, we make a new Christmas tree decoration each year. By the time they're 18, we'll have enough to cover the tree

[DefinitelyNotRuth]

*Tkredlemon
*
I have a tickle me Elmo in great condition, if you want it. DD1 doesn't like it. Can't pm you now as I'm on the app but if you pm me, I'll pick it up later

[winterisnigh]

steer clear of Lucy, she is hard work too its only dh who can work her.

what about the little live pets dog - new toy was on this morning i think? looked really cute - moves a bit?

Op I have always managed to avoid dc lists somehow and just get one or two things from them anway and lots of surprises...I have never until now - asked them what they really want! I have managed to keep things vague and loose...

[Florathefern]

She has the Lucy dog and another similar type one but they don't really respond to her voice.

Choosing and chopping down a tree in the snow every year sounds beautiful. Unfortunately we live in a suburb of a large city and it is more likely to rain than snow :-) But I get your point about traditions and need to start thinking of some.

[Madcats]

I'm with throwingpebbles on this one, but DD(9) is fairly easy-going and easily distracted. She usually accepts my "no, that's vile...reviews say this toy is useless..." with a shrug.

Saying that 3-4 years ago I did let DD have a cheap (smaller version of a) Furby after months of listening to her talk about how she would love one. We'd warned her that it would be a passing fixation....and dig it out from time to time to remind her what a stupid gift she asked for.

Ebay have a few Zoomer dogs on auction at the moment (I doubt a 4 year old would notice if it was secondhand).

[SatsukiKusakabe]

Ha ha good to know

[winterisnigh]

manage present expectations op, plant subliminal ideas! you mentioned celebratory atmosphere and to me this is the key, up beat parents - dressing up for dinner, xmas music, twinkly lights, spoiling them even more than usual with affection that day..silly hats etc etc

I mean we can go to in laws and be given gifts you want but its like being sat in a funeral, its hushed, quiet, restrained....I much prefer the party atmos of my house growing up - drowned in xmas decs, a real fire - and slightly disappointing gifts than the other way round....

My mum also had a particular thing with nuts and oranges, a pile of them which sticks out and xmas cake.

[winterisnigh]

and dig it out from time to time to remind her what a stupid gift she asked for


^^ sounds a bit harsh?? whats xmas for if not for being occasionally frivolous? My dd has mentioned a few things like boom boom balloon, it was played with for one day, I would never of dream of digging it out to rub her nose in her silly choice

[Florathefern]

I think we share the same in laws. I put my foot down two years ago as it sounds very similar to your description!