Originally Posted by BellaBoo
When my teens asked for something that is costly, we give them the money to buy it. Funny how what they had to have suddenly wasn't that important. A less costly one would do or they didn't want it anymore. Seems when the item is given, the actual value is lost but if they spend actual money that is theirs, it's the most valuable thing ever. Just remember to not battle over the small stuff. Have several big rules and not a lot of little rules. I could care less how long my teens talked on the phone after going to bed (a little rule). They still had to get up early, make good grades and act civil the next day (big rule). It wasn't long before they figured out sleep was more important then any phone call. I saved tons of battling by not having a little rule to argue over them breaking.
My DH and I had 5 children. Whenever they wanted something expensive we told them to save up have the cost and we'd give them the other half. On many an occasion they had changed their minds before they had the money saved up. But it did give them a sense of how hard it is to save and they were more responsible once they did get it.
My son is now 40 and has 2 children of his own. The other day he wanted a new computer. He asked if I would give him half the cost if he saved the other half! Yeah, right!!! :roll: