In Our Home...Don't Ask!

The other day I read THIS post on one of my favorite blogs, The Lazy Organizer. Followed by THIS post as well. If you don't feel like going there to read these two posts (which I strongly recommend that you do), then basically, they both discuss some of the parenting techniques that is used by this family. The post goes on to describe her techniques for getting her children to stop demanding what they want in life, as if they are entitled to anything, and learn to ask in a more respectable way. We are the parents of our children, and we work hard to provide, and most parents would agree that we always try to give our children the very best in life. Therefore, demands should be unacceptable, because if we truly know our children, we know what they need and want.

At first I was taken aback when I read that her children are not allowed to ask for anything and how her technique of "Try Again!" has worked wonders for stopping this behavior. After completely reading both posts, I found myself agreeing with her methods. I am a lousy form of Cliff's Notes, and like I suggested, you should really read those posts.

Although I agree with her method, I found myself perplexed about how I would orchestrate such a method in my home. My kids would be pressed for any words at all, they are so demanding all the time. I truly dislike it! However, I found that after reading her posts, that there is one way to incorporate some form of it. This is what I came up with:

Christmas is just around the corner, and what gets me more than anything is how my children, after pinching, poking, tripping, yelling, hitting, hair pulling, white lying, and not using their listening ears all year long, they start spatting out all kinds of fun and exciting toys they want for Christmas. If I remember correctly, Santa brings coal to naughty children and I don't recall any of them mentioning coal for Christmas. So, to teach my children that Christmas is more than presents, we no longer accept requests for Christmas. In fact, if you tell me, its a guarantee you won't be getting it. I know that may sound harsh, but I know what my children will like and dislike, and since when did we all become entitled to receiving gifts for Christmas? There is so much more to this holiday than that. Telling me what you want, tells me that you feel entitled to receive something, and that is not the case in our home.

Yes, my children will get gifts for Christmas, they will get great gifts, and some will definitely be things they wanted. There is a whole year to get to know my children to find out what interests them and what would make a great gift. Most times, wanted items are spur of the moment daydreams, and I prefer not to spend money on something that sits on a shelf only days after I have given it.

Closer to Christmas I will post numerous ways to spend time with your children and family without spending tons of money. I want my children to grow up remembering the great times they had as a child, because I promise you they will never remember everything they got for Christmas.