JDdad

My step son is constantly say he wants this or that and expects his mother and I do run out and buy it. I believe he is old enough to earn the toys. What do you do to keep the kids wants in check?

jaxdad

I also believe that they should 'earn' some things they want. I will make sure my kid does their chores or have an agreement of some sort that they will abide by. If they do what we want them too for the specified amount of time they get what they want. If not than we start all over.

lovemykids

How can they earn them? With chores? good behavior? I have my kids list the things they want on a list and that is what I give out for holidays. They have to circle the thing they want the most and we put that on Santa's list.
I have no problem with my kids doing chores.

princess77

First, I there should be a limit. The kids need to understand that they can't always get what they want-even if you make them earn it. I make my kids do chores to earn enough money for what they want. For example, if they load the dishwasher they get a quarter so it actually takes them some time and they understand the value of a dollar by the time they earn enough for what they want.