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Can you buy me something? Can you buy me something? Can you buy me something? ARGH!

22 replies

RillaBlythe · 02/09/2012 11:01

DD is currently wailing in her room because I said I wouldn't be buying her anything in the shops. We are going to fucking Tesco. Every time we go near a shop it's this constant lament about buying her CRAP. No tactic seems to work. Driving me mad. Help?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
RillaBlythe · 02/09/2012 11:17

Still screaming. She's 4 btw.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 02/09/2012 11:24

Online shopping?

Or give her pocket money to spend on stuff and when it's gone it's gone?

ggirl · 02/09/2012 11:24

well definitely DON"T buy her anything
has this tactic worked for her previously?

BlendingIntoTheBackground · 02/09/2012 11:26

Just didn't want your post unanswered, but not sure on advice!

How about having a talk before you go next time about what you are going to the shop for, and how it costs money. Explain that you can't buy things if you don't have money. Try to manage her expectations, so she knows before you step out the house there will only be the things you need to buy in the trolley. Perhaps try a shopping list and get her involved.

As for now, some kind of distraction? She's feeling hard done by, and doesn't understand why mummy is being mean.

If all else fails online shopping is a god send!

Sorry not much help!

NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown · 02/09/2012 11:29

I'm probably no help as DS is only 18 months but you say "no tactic seems to work" - do you give in? Is she routinely bought things by another parent or grandparent and so has come to expect it? I have no idea how to stop her screaming but if she is bought things I would speak to those involved and ask them to run any purchases by you or just stop - its obviously not practical to be constantly buying things. I assume if the answer is always "no" she will stop asking, eventually... But of course its a job to keep your cool until then.

Could she do a few jobs around the house for a pound or is she old enough for pocket money? Perhaps if she was taught to save her own money up for things she might realise the value of them and appreciate things less often. I have no idea if a 4-year-old could grasp an understanding of that kind of thing but it might be worth a go!

firawla · 02/09/2012 11:31

hmm, can you persuade her that some of the normal grocery stuff is "for her" might not work but if theres food she likes tell her to put it in the trolley and say its for her, although tbh it does work better on things that are kind of treats like chocolate milk etc.. if she means toys then i think its just no no no no till she gets the picture. mine were like this a bit, we never used to have a car so once we got one and started to go to the massive tescos i thought oh lets treat them to a small toy to make it for more for them, then they started to ask every time so ive cracked down on it now (We cant afford to buy 3 kids a toy each every time we go round tesco!!!) but might let them choose a pack of biscuit or something to put in trolley (we would have bought that anyway) they seem to have forgotten about asking for the toys now. my oldest is 4 too and he was the worst one for moaning about toys, so think its something about their age

DeWe · 02/09/2012 11:34

I go round shops with dd2 (age 8yo) with "no" stuck on permanently. She will constantly ask for stuff. However she now accepts that most of the stuff I say no to and just accepts that... then moves onto the next "can I have..?"

Nagoo · 02/09/2012 11:42

Online shop.

I don't understand about no tactic seems to work She's not diving in your purse and taking money is she?

So just say no. Lots of times. Why is that hard? She moans and complains? You say no some more. She wheedles, you say no. She can't win unless you let her.

Nagoo · 02/09/2012 12:24

And my jeans are covered in the Baby's spaghetti hoop juice.

Nagoo · 02/09/2012 12:26

ha ha the hop juice wasn't for you. Blush

Yama · 02/09/2012 12:27

My line of "No, don't ask again" gets the message across.

RillaBlythe · 02/09/2012 19:38

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

When I say that tactics don't work, I mean it doesn't stop the incessant asking! Obviously she can't buy something without me enabling her but the screaming & wailing & repeated nagging is really, really irritating. Online shopping is all very well, but excluding the trip to Tesco today our fights have been in M&S ('yes, I am buying you something, your fucking extortionate uniform!') & on walking past the museum shop. I can't avoid every retail outlet unfortunately.

I suppose we do buy things for her unpredictably, generally if we nip into the charity shop & see something worth it... I just wish I could get her to accept it when I say no, not this time, & I loathe her asking in advance of us even getting to the shops, so it's not even that she's seen something she likes!

Am typing on my phone while nooning the baby so have probably misses lots of wisdom, sorry if so.

OP posts:
Nagoo · 02/09/2012 23:18

I am called Nagoo because of DS's wheedling prowess. He gets told to stop being a 'nagoo' Grin

Karoleann · 03/09/2012 07:53

I preempt mine with we're going too xxx today, I'm really looking forward to it. We're not buying a little toy today so please don't ask.
If they do ask I then remind them no, and say if you do ask again there won't be any tv/computer/ice cream for pudding. It does usually work.

NineCrimes · 03/09/2012 08:01

You need to try and take a step back. She is four, she isn't doing it to be annoying. She isn't doing it to be ungrateful or wind you up. She just doesn't get the concept of money. Try remembering that instead of reacting. Hard I know but she will very likely be picking up on the fact it's a bug bear of yours. Teach her the value of money. Establish some pocket money and teach her that on a certain day she can have something, on others she can't and that's that.

teacherlikesapples · 03/09/2012 08:04

I know it is hard, I really feel for you, especially when you have a tonne of stuff to do & they seem like they will never give in no matter what you try.

You are however at a very teachable moment in her life. She is figuring out a more grown up style of the 'tantrum'. She has moved on from the toddler variety and is now figuring out if her more sophisticated communication skills can work. The point is here- if you let it be effective this "skill" becomes the manipulation we see in teenagers & adults. She is also learning about something that many adults never learn properly- financial literacy. Shopping can also be a very boring time for children as their parents are busy trying to get stuff done- so the tantrum type behaviour mixes with a bit of attention seeking (for bonus difficulty!)

Luckily these strategies address all 3 issues:

If you can, enlist the help of the people around you to knock this on it's head now. It is important that the people that spend the most time with her are on the same page as you, she sounds like a smart girl- she will figure out who this method works with & doesn't. The frustration & effort will be worth it :)

The main point is consistency. She is old enough now to learn about the theory of conservation. These are the resources we have (i.e money & food) This is what we need (i.e More meat/veges whatever) This is how much potentially you could earn if you look for jobs around the house (the amount is set & can be reviewed on birthdays- or whenever suits your situation, but is negotiable at a time that suits you. Not her)

Get her a money box- ideally it would be good if it is one she can open somehow. Doesn't matter if it is an old container- decorate it together, make it special.
Even 20 or 50p for pocket money is fine.- Whatever you can afford, but do try to give her some & make it the same amount that you will always be able to give each week. A marked calendar might help her understand what day it will happen.

Ask for her help to write the shopping list when you are getting ready (even if you already know what you need- send her to check a few things.)
Play a game where you guess how much things might cost- write this on your list to check. If she begins to ask for things, have a discussion about what are "needs" for the family and what are "wants" and how your family spends on these things.
Get her to write her own list (doesn't matter if she can't 'write' yet- it is for her to read so whatever symbols she uses is ok. Don't focus to much on the writing aspect- you are just writing your lists together- sit together, write beside each other. She can even draw pictures of what she needs/wants.

Maybe you each get one treat in the shopping each week/month and the rest you have to save up for. Use the calendar again to mark when might be a 'free' treat purchasing day. I don't know- whatever suits your budget. If she starts mentioning things she wants that are luxury items talk about how much they might cost & how much she has saved. Does she want to spend ALL of her money on this occasion because then she will have to wait for until she has it again.
Introducing the concept here of delayed gratification (very difficult for this generation but an AMAZING life skill if she can learn it!)
If possible use cash so she can see & understand the transaction.

At the store get her busy looking for things. Checking her list. Checking yours. Finding items for you. Did we get the price right? Did we bring enough money? Can you afford the special thing you wanted? Do you still want to spend your money on it? If she previously opted not to- you say you are really proud of her because it is hard to wait for things you want. Give her a story of when you have done the same. Keep her involved, keep her talking. If the whining starts- try and stay calm & refocus her with a brief & unemotional response "oh remember you have to save for that" or whatever then straight away refocus with a high energy statement "ok! Now where on earth do they keep the BUTTERNUTS! Come on team let's go exploring!" Make that bit fun, make that bit interesting. Her whining is not interesting. You heard it, you addressed it, but it is not possible for x,y,z. We have work to do!

Hopefully you understand what I am getting at here, obviously you need to find your own groove with this. Children want to be heard, they want their concerns taken seriously. So you can acknowledge that she really wants the Dora colouring in book or whatever, but it is not possible because it is not treat day & she doesn't have the money for it. You have explained yourself, now quickly move on to the important stuff. Ignore any other whining, instead continue to refocus with a calm, assertive and firm voice- "_Child's name I really love having your help with the shopping, let's carry on with our job!"
If whining still continues. Now this is the hard bit because any threat you make needs to be carried out- so choose wisely.

Hopefully you have not chosen to shop when she is tired/sick/hungry as if you have she is not in complete control of her behaviour & reasoning with her is an impossible task!)

If you have tried to refocus her 2-3 times, if she continues to whine, stop pushing the trolley & get down at her eye level. Depending on your situation you might say something like " I have told you no. I would like you to listen so we can carry on shopping. If it doesn't stop we will be leaving to shop straight away."
Be silent for a moment so that she understands that you are DEADLY serious. Then smiles and say "come on love let's get shopping!" If the whining continues. Abandon your trolley and leave. It doesn't matter about her pleading, promises, negotiation. That ship has sailed. If leaving the shop doesn't suit- then perhaps it is something like cancelling a play date/trip to the park/whatever next fun thing. The point is whatever you threaten MUST be something that was scheduled that day & MUST carried be out. You should only have to do this once or twice before eventually she figures out that you mean what you say. After that you should only have to get to the threat of it to be effective.

This all sounds harsh- but these are such important life lessons that it doesn't pay to be soft on this.

good luck!

TantieTowie · 04/09/2012 13:59

Ooh, that's great, thanks Teacherlikesapples, I'll try that. Sounds just what we need! (Having trouble getting out of our local shop without buying a comic every time!)

YouShouldBeDancing · 04/09/2012 17:49

Shopping is boring for kids so i guess in their eyes the toys are like a shining beacon,
I make a a shopping list with my ds (draw pics of what we have to buy) he loves helping me look for things and if he behaves ie can have a treat ; which is usually a yoghurt, small pack of fruit or sweets
As for shopping in town, I tend to only go with him If I really have to and if he's good he gets a go on the merry go round or we do something he likes such as the museum
It's easy to get into the trap of buying them something just to keep them quiet while you are busy shopping, I spent a small fortune on crappy toys that were played with for all of 5 minutes but I can't afford it anymore so it's tough luck

Earthymama · 04/09/2012 18:04

I am lucky enough to have 5 grandchildren ages between 1 and 15 years. I adore them and admit that in the last I have spoiled them
Recently my daughter and I have made the decision to start saying NO more often.
We have been looking at our lives and the materialism prevelant in society and also the behaviours of children and young people.
Not just in our family but also in wider circles. Children seem less happy and more dissatisfied than either my generation or my daughters.
So no it is, no to being faddy about and wasting meals, no to constant provision of snacks and special drinks, no to having new toys every week.
It is hard but seems to be working out.

mollythetortoise · 04/09/2012 21:25

another tactic I use that works for my two (8 and 5) is to say they can ask father christmas for it (if it is something father christmas can get them of course) or they can ask grandma or aunty to get for their birthday. So I am saying yes, they can have it but not now.

For me, it is better than saying no all the time. They are happy with this answer - even if christmas is months away, my ds has no concept of months away, but seems happy that he can ask father christmas even in January!

They then forget all about the thing once christmas does roll around and they can finally write their lists.

i also agree with the others re. discussions about what things cost. They both know I work to earn money and then spend the money on things for the family and the money supply is not infinate.
They still ask all the time though but when they don't I occasionally buy them something and say it is because I have a little extra money and they didn't ask me for anything.

iggi777 · 04/09/2012 21:34

Ds1 does this all the time.
He seems wise to the santa thing though and has been writing his list since August. I deliberately go to the supermarkets now that have the least "extra" stuff as it is too much hassle.

jenduck · 06/09/2012 15:47

DS1 (3.8) also tries this sometimes! I divert his attention by asking him to fetch me things from the shelves and 'helping' me at the self-scan till if it is not too busy.

We do have a little piggy bank for him & DS2 only & every now and again, we go to a car boot sale, where he will have say £1 to spend on whatever he likes. Once that is gone, he has no more. We give him the money in 10p pieces so he knows that if an item is 50p & uses 5 coins, he has 5 more to spend etc. I think it helps him to learn counting, as well as that he can't have everything!

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