Cut-off point for additions to Christmas list (from DD aged 4yo)

[PoppyWearer]

DD has just sat down and "written" (scribbled) a list to Father Christmas.

As well as the Lego she asked for weeks ago, she now says she wants a pink scooter! Eep!

I am actually quite anti-scooter as I know she will want to ride it to school, and our walk to school includes some busy roads and nasty junctions, I'd much rather she walks.

But having just seen the awful news about the school shooting in the US I'm having a wobble. Life's too short and all that.

I should stand firm and not get her one, right? I have already said that she hasn't given me Father Christmas enough time to get one and her answer was "you buy it then". Little madam!

Of course there is also the cost. Have spent about £100 each on her and her little brother and a scooter plus knee pads etc adds another £50 at least. Grandparents etc have all done their present-buying already.

She has to learn she can't have everything she wants especially if she asks with just over a week to go. I did all the present shopping ages ago.

DH is a softie and will just say to get it.

WWYD?

I am a complete soft touch and would buy it unless very bad behavior followed asking for it. Can you buy the scooter and put some of the other toys you have bought away for Birthday?

Aww, I think I'd see what the best deal was and get it for her.

I'd put a letter from Father Christmas in saying that she asked late but he managed to find one - but that it's a special scooter that will wait at home for her when she's at school. Written better than that!

She won't be spoilt. It takes years of pandering to produce a spoilt child!

Say she can have it for her birthday.
Our dc know that you don't get everything you ask for, just a few things from the list and a couple of surprises. That way there is no pressure on us to get everything. Can you try saying something like that?

A Christmas list is for suggestions not demands

We send our letter at beginning of December which is the cut off. I make it quite clear that of they change their mind after the letter is sent they probably won't get the present. Elves have to make it etc etc

www.amazon.co.uk/Ozbozz-Nebulus-Alpha-Converta-Scooter/dp/B006C4GLAG/ref=sr_1_41?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1355515870&sr=1-41

www.amazon.co.uk/Girls-Bike-Helmet-Pads-Riderz/dp/B002QQ7JM8/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1355515933&sr=1-1

There you go 22 quid for the lot.

I'd get it - the smile on her face will be worth it.

or this one for a couple of quid more:

www.amazon.co.uk/Evo-Girls-Move-Groove-Scooter/dp/B005I0IB8U/ref=sr_1_66?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1355516114&sr=1-66

these wont last forever at that price but if she uses it a lot then you can budget for a better one for next year.

doh!
www.amazon.co.uk/Evo-Girls-Move-Groove-Scooter/dp/B005I0IB8U/ref=sr_1_66?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1355516114&sr=1-66

To my amazement, DH and I have discussed it and he says no!

To put it into context, I think she has been talking to school friends and I don't know that she really wants one.

I will talk to her tomorrow.

Thanks for your help finding cheaper ones - all I knew about was the one SIL got for DN which was £40 and that was a definite no.

Birthday not until the summer otherwise that would have been a good idea.

She will have outgrown her main Christmas present (Duplo not Lego) by then I expect, but a scooter would still be a good 5th birthday pressie.

DH says he would rather teach her to ride her bike without stabilisers and have her ride to school, but both the bike and scooter ideas just make me shudder, seen way too many near-misses!

A summer birthday is perfect though! Especially if you don't want her to ride it to school, as she will be able to get out and use it loads and loads in the beautiful weather.
I don't let mine ride bikes or scooters to school either, and I have said new bikes in the summer, as the weather will be better (not icy!) to appreciate them and use them more.