My 9 year old appears to be turning into Veruca Salt at times, despite our continued best efforts!
We have always tried to not spoil both DC's with material stuff. Very rarely do we buy any toys or treats outside of birthdays and Christmas. DD gets £1 a week pocket money - hardly a fortune.
We are fortunate however to have a very good disposable income.
So, eating out, holidays, days out and clothes have always been available.
We do always try and constantly discuss the cost and value of things things, and the concept of being grateful.
DC has always been headstrong and not afraid of expressing when things are not to her liking and has a 'go getting' attitude.
Recently she seems to have become more and more ungrateful.
Phrases like 'I never do anything fun' and 'it's not fair' and 'if I was an only child would I be able to have more hobbies' respresent the last 48 hours. She also announced the other day how she really wanted to visit 'outside Europe' like other children she knew but she never had / probably never would (we have been on countless overseas trips within Europe including Lapland!).
It really makes me wince when I hear her, especially as I was brought up with little spare cash at all, as was DH, and rarely going abroad. We are not big spending people as adults,. We're quite low key, so I don't understand where she's modelling this 'I want this, I want that, life's unfair' attitude from.
My other DC (11) is completely not the same, is happy with their lot and generally undertstanding that they are fortunate and graeftful for what they get.
Several of DC's friends have parents that seem to give them what they ask for (food, presents, experiences) and I wonder whether this has somehthing to do with it?
My DH and I are so far from being a demanding people it's untrue and I really want to work out how I can influence my child's behaviour for the better! Any tips?