How often do you treat your children?

[Dancergirl]

We were back-to-school shopping in Tesco today and my dds were browsing in the toy section. Dd spotted a fur-real lamb (which I had searched for last Christmas to no avail). It was quite expensive for a no-reason treat (£15) but dd had some birthday money and said she would pay for most of it. So I agreed. Would have been a bit mean not to get something for dd2 so I treated her to a couple of Polly Pocket bits (can't stand PP myself but dd loves them and plays with them to death so good value for money I suppose).

When I got home, dh said he disapproved of just buying them stuff as he's worried they'll get spoilt. My logic? They're generally good kids, don't nag for stuff, it's the summer holidays, I just felt like treating them, dh and I both treat ourselves sometimes etc.

So how often do you treat your kids? We used to give them a bit of pocket money each week but tbh it was a pain - we'd usually forget/didn't have the right coins. I'd prefer to just treat them occasionlly.

Is dh right? Will they get spoilt?

[feedthegoat]

I'm sure plenty of people will say that they disagree with children being given expensive toys for no reason but yes, I do it too.

I bought ds an easel from Ikea this weekend because I liked it and knew he would love it. I figure it is my child, my hard earned money and nothing to do with anyone else whether I choose to buy him things or not.

[savoycabbage]

I'm like you. I will buy them very occasional random treats. Largely to benefit myself also! Once when I wasn't well I bought my dd2 a toy and she played with it all afternoon and I could lie on the sofa

Mine don't ask for things either and you are right we do but ourselves things for a treat.

I don't know how often I have done it but probably between once and twice a year.

[starshaker]

I treat my dd1 (first time ive ever typed that ) way too much, but now i have twins i probably wont be able to afford to treat them that often now. I dont think my dd1 is spoilt and she always appreciates anything she gets, whether its a magazine or an expensive toy

[Lynli]

Feedthegoat I agree with you. Sometimes I can't resist, if I see something he will love.

I give my DS 9 pocket money and he manages it himself, I wanted him to learn the value of money.

My two DDs who are in there twenties buy him anything he wants. Everytime they are out shopping they see something he would like, they buy it.

He does appreciate how lucky he is and he doesn't behave spoiled.

[onceamai]

What's wrong with giving children nice things that they like and that make them happy. There is only a problem if you have to say no and the child makes an issue of it. I love treating my children. When they were tiny and money was really tight I had to say no much too often. I will never forget when things got easier and one day my son picked up something in the toyshop and said it was nice and I said well would you like it and his face just lit up and he was so amazed when I said well let's get it then. My only problem is that nowadays they don't seem to want anything.

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I treat DS very often, I cant imagine only buying him something nice twice a year on birthdays and christmas.

I dont know any adults who only buy themselves something on their birthday/christmas so why should it be different for children.

We dont do pocketmoney as DS is still in primary school and will be for a few more years so we treat him. Once he gets to high school I think we'll give him a monthly allowance so that he can learn to budget ready for college/uni/work etc but would still treat him as I enjoy it.

[FloraFinching]

I am happy to buy the odd non-essential for DD. Her birthday is in March, and March to December is a fairly long stretch to go. I buy non-essentials for myself so I don't see why she can't have the odd thing.

She has no expectation of things being bought for her though, and is thrilled with being bought any small treat, such as a magazine, new felt-tips or a gingerbread man. If she becomes more demanding in the future I might have to revise my stance!

[TheUnmentioned]

Ds is only 3 and has recently been treated with toys a fair bit because I am 38 weeks pregnant and desperate for a bit of peace!

Ordinarily though we dont buy him many toys but that is partly because his grandma buys him something every fortnight or so, usually just a wee thing, sometimes something bigger.

We tend to treat ds in terms of days out instead of toys because there is no more room in our house . So we have annual membership to the zoo / museum / science centre / farm park etc. When I was little days out like that were a HUGE treat because we lived so remotely so I want to make sure ds enjoys these things, they cost money though just like toys I suppose.

[PYT]

I buy my kids 'treats' most weeks, but it is always cheap little bits - a Mr Men book, a £2 toy from Tesco, some sweets etc. They get them for being good, not 'just because'. And if they start asking or expecting, I withdraw the treats for a week. I can't abide children whining for treats!

[AlgebraRocksMySocks]

I buy the odd thing but only if it's on sale and normally no more than £5, it's usually something crafty or educational though - we have a tiny house so I don't tend to get just 'playing' toys as she has loads of cars, teddies etc. recent purchases are a load of googly eyes, sequins etc as I know we'll get proper use out of them.

she never expects anything and so far if we're in a shop and she sees something she likes she is perfectly happy to be told to put it back on the shelf.

[The3Bears]

I always treat ds I love to see my child happy I dont know what person doesnt. I try to just give him a treat if he has had a good week with his star chart that way he knows good behaviour is a must.