As parents, we would like our children to cl one note 2007 appreciate what they already have. Unfortunately, many kids seem to constantly demand more and cl one note 2007 more. Why do they always ask for new stuff? And how can we best deal with it?

Just a cl one note 2007 few ideas for you to consider together with some practical tips:

· When your cl one note 2007 children ask you to buy them things, they are usually trying to cl one note 2007 fulfil valid emotional needs. For example, they may believe that cl one note 2007 owning a particular monster-shooting game will make them happy or cl one note 2007 popular, or that a new shiny pair of shoes will give them confidence. Of course, this cl one note 2007 does not mean that you should get them whatever they want - but you cl one note 2007 can help them find alternative ways to feel happy, popular or cl one note 2007 confident. Knowing there is a need behind their wants will also help you cl one note 2007 to keep your cool!

· When we reward our children with presents for cl one note 2007 good behaviour, we unwittingly teach them to associate presents with being loved or cl one note 2007 being approved of. Once this association is established, our kids are cl one note 2007 likely to ask us to buy them even more stuff, so that cl one note 2007 they can experience this warm feeling of approval again. It is cl one note 2007 much wiser to reward children by noticing and mentioning what they do well, and cl one note 2007 by spending special fun time with them.

· Advertisers deliberately connect between their products and cl one note 2007 our emotional needs. They promote the illusion that once our kids own their products, they will instantly become cool. Companies spend a cl one note 2007 fortune on advertising because it works! The less your cl one note 2007 children are exposed to advertising in the media, and the cl one note 2007 more you educate them about the motives of advertisers, the cl one note 2007 less material demands you will get.

· Educate children about money. Play ‘money’ games with younger kids, and cl one note 2007 when they are older give them pocket money so that they can cl one note 2007 learn to save towards a goal. Take your kids shopping with you cl one note 2007 and model comparing prices and showing restraint! They will learn a cl one note 2007 lot about money and possessions from observing your own behaviour and cl one note 2007 attitude.

· Before going shopping with your cl one note 2007 children, have a preparation conversation. Instead of telling them what cl one note 2007 they will get and what they will not, ask them leading questions. ‘We are going to the shops tomorrow. What do you think we will get?’ ‘Yes, you cl one note 2007 would like another game for the DS. Why do you think we are cl one note 2007 we not going to buy you one?’ Praise any sensible answer and ignore provocations!

· Limit your cl one note 2007 explanations to the information your children do not already have. Explaining the cl one note 2007 obvious is called nagging! If you are not sure what your child knows, ask ‘Would you cl one note 2007 like me to explain to you why we will not buy a cl one note 2007 new fire engine tomorrow, or do you already know?’

· Give your kids lots of sympathy – after all it cl one note 2007 is hard for them to see this new and shiny stuff on the cl one note 2007 shelves and not be tempted. Say: ‘I wish I could buy it for you, wouldn’t it be great if everything in the shops was free?’ or, ‘I know you cl one note 2007 want it, it can be hard to see things you want and cl one note 2007 not be able to get them’. Your aim is cl one note 2007 to show to your children that you understand how they feel, whilst keeping your cl one note 2007 boundaries at the same time.

· Most importantly- do not give in to pester power! When you cl one note 2007 give in, you teach your children to harass you even more next time.

Good luck with it, and enjoy your children