very forward children!!

[mullein3]

children seem to have a lot to say for them selves particuarly my grandson who is a mini me!! He phoned me yesterday and he said "I NEED a washer for xmas and I NEED a road sweeper and some thomas trains..so i said you dont need anything ..to wind him up ..and he said you are silly nanny I NEED them..he is 3 and i have allready bought him two washers in the past..which are broken now..I have grudgingly bought a nother washer hope it lasts a bit longer..I dread to think what he will be like when he goes to school and his list of wants gets even bigger..allthough he is a mini me i wasnt that demanding so young ...it was a case of you get what you are given when i was young..

[nfn]

it's still a case of get what you're given in this house. I get what His Little Lordship gives!

[spudqueen]

I think it's just the age. My children when they were about that age would say they needed a biscuit or to watch a particular video, I just used to say 'no, you don't NEED it, you WANT it;. They caught on eventually!

PS I NEED a diamond necklace for Christmas!

[tradey]

my little girl is not two till 28th dec and my god she knows what she wants for xmas, she tells me everyday i want a bike a pram oh and some of mummy perfume,she talks like a 4yr old you can have a full blown conversation with her,and she knows her a.b.c and can count to 14 god help me next year but there cute arent they

[boobesque]

you are very lucky, i wish my little boy could ask for what he wanted for christmas, as it is he isnt interested in anything but the paper! (he is 7, and has cerebral palsy)

Your grandson sounds like my brother was, well i say was, he is 13 and still the same! be warned!

[mullein3]

I dont think all these television adverts help! they allways advertise toys at tea time..Anyway he doesnt need anything he allready has about 50 thomas trains and every toy you can imagine..I spoil him so i am guilty..boobesque..sorry to hear about your son i am sure he communicates in other ways as they say if you cant use one of your faccultys you communicate in other ways..I am sure your son is blessed in other ways he is a special child!! My granddaughter is 2 and she knows what she wants for xmas also..only she is not as demanding..she doesnt Need anything..by the way santa i NEED westlife dvd ..perfume..jewellry..etc etc..and a date with fran cosgrove!!

[twopennorth]

You can always say no.

My son said he needed another train set - I said Father Christmas told me he already has enough trains and another little boy should have it. He is going to have plenty of other things he asked for and Father Christmas knows he is a good boy.

I can't abide spoiled people, and am trying hard to make sure my sons don't become cases in point. They can't always have what they want when they want it. It won't do them any favours in their life to come if they grow up with that attitude.

I drum into them that they should treat their toys properly and give them a good telling off if they stand on books, lose pieces of puzzles, or throw toys. If someone buys them something I expect them to show appreciation and to treat the gift with respect. They are only pre-schoolers, but I intend the message to get through early.

It isn't easy when has been pointed out, children these days know what they want, are marketed to in adverts and aren't afraid to ask for what they want. Also, we do not live in poverty so do not have to economise or struggle to buy things they want (as opposed to need!).

Bad luck: I'm not afraid to say no just as they're not afraid to ask. The issue isn't the cost, it's the principle.

[dannydingbat]

Twopennorth, I admire your fortitude and can tell you that your future with your kids will be smoother and more satisfying that those who make a rod for their own backs by indiulging every whim of their younger relations. And my kids, now 30 and 27, will agree.

[mullein3]

Well i am guilty i cant help spoiling my two grandchildren..and they are only young once..i spoiled my daughter also and she is now 27 and a very nice girl with good manners and education..I actually find my grandson funny he went on a train journey yesterday to see santa and he told him what he needed..then was on the phone to me for an hour later telling me!! we havnt got a large family no auntys or uncles to buy them things so its just me and the daughter to buy their presents..and the other grandmother gives them �20 so they probably dont get as much as some..I found this also when my daughter was young i had no grandparents or relations to buy for her so it all fell on us..my husbands mother is dead now but she never gave my daughter anything..selfish to the end!! was her motto..and i only had adopted parents and they never bothered to give anything..so i guess i cant help spoiling them..

[boobesque]

we were all spoilt as kids (as is my son!) and i have turned out fine, i have more manners than a lot of the older generation who i have often found to be very rude!

At the end of the day i think that if you bring up your kids to be kind and considerate and teach them manners (something that seems to have gone out of the window) then you will bring up great kids whether you spoil them or not.