They learn from their friends anyway, whether they are at "big school" or not. I dont think parents have to "break" it to them. Most kids realize when they just cant have everything they want. I remember one of my sons wanting a bike, and when his friend down the road got a bigger and better one Xmas day, he thought it was because he had been better behaved during the year. Poor mite, I had to tell him we left out money for Santa, and we didnt leave out as much as his friend's parents.