Parenting is a difficult job, and one of the hardest parts is figuring out how to say no to your kids, especially during the holiday season. You want your kids to be happy and to give them everything, but sometimes you may feel guilty telling them no when your budget can’t afford it. Here are some tips for saying no to your kids, according to BankingRates.com.
- Start early. It is harder to instill good habits the longer you wait to start teaching your kids they can’t have everything they want. Once they start understanding the concept of money, you can start talking to them about what sort of things fit within the family budget.
- Establish ground rules. Let your children know before you enter a store if they’ll be getting anything. Warning them in advance could help improve your shopping experience.
- Give your kids choices. If you have to say no to your child, offer them an alternative to give them a little sense of power. If they want an expensive item, offer to get them the more affordable alternative. Giving them another option teaches them the importance of compromising.
- Make them pay for some things. If your kids really want something, make them pay for it themselves. It is a great way to teach them how to save their money for things they really want. You can also agree to pay for part of it if they cover the rest.
- Set a good example. Spending less and not always buying the latest and greatest for yourself will show your children that no is an acceptable answer. Make sure other family members are on the same page as you when it comes to buying items for your kids. You don’t want other relatives indulging your children if you are trying to set a good example.
- Show them how much they already have. Kids often ask for things because their friends have it. Teach them that other families might have different priorities for their money. Give them the opportunity to volunteer or donate toys to those less fortunate. It lets them understand they have more than others and become appreciative of what they already have.