And I’ll Spend The Extra Cash On Myself, Darn It!
I have had it.
My children have no respect for their things or my things. I can tell them no until I am BLUE IN THE FACE- and they still feel the need to do whatever they want. My mother bought them a great backpack filled with some classic little kid games. I want them to be played with at the table, under my supervision, and they continually defy me and sneak them out of whatever hiding place I put them in and strew the pieces all over their already messy room. Why is it messy? Because, starting a few weeks ago, they think that cleaning up has become passe. They used to clean their room up, especially if I helped. Now, they just sit there and watch me do it, and no matter what I say or take away- no help.
They have broken some of their Christmas gifts already (nice gifts, not crap) because they won’t follow instructions or put them away. They have no appreciation. Jonas even threw a two year old tantrum at Barnes & Noble today over a stupid neopets magazine he wanted! Hello! You’re FIVE. He is not usually like this. The past two months have warped my kids. Granted, Maggie was good and she got a book, for which she even said, “Thank you Mommy, for my Dora book” in the car on the way home, but still. Enough.
I am so fed up.
I have decided that this year, I will buy no toys. Even for Easter and Christmas- I will purchase nothing but clothes, a few books and educational games. I might even stop ordering Happy Meals! They don’t need the crap. I don’t need the mess.
A few years ago I stopped buying treats all together for Jonas for about three months. He got totally out of the gimmes and became very grateful and polite about getting treats. Apparently the lesson wore off.
Does this make me a big meanie?
Oh I so know where your coming from. I finally took all my kids toys one day put them in a bag and loaded the toys and kids in the van and off we went to the thrift shop to drop off a few hefty bags of toys etc. Yeah that seemed to be their braking point. lol Now I don’t have any issues. Hugs to you and I hope it all works out.
Comment by Elisa K — January 12, 2008 @ 10:38 pm
Nope, it’s called being a good, disciplined and disciplining mom. Train them up…
Comment by Jackie — January 12, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
Your not a meanie at all, Leah. You’re just taking a stand. It’s very nerve wracking…I still have that problem sometimes.
Comment by Amy Birch — January 13, 2008 @ 12:41 am
I don’t think you are being a meanie at all. I think that being too soft and kids having too much just leads to spoiled, disrespectful kids and later adults. you are a great mom for doing this, even if it’s hard. rock on!
Comment by Cara — January 13, 2008 @ 1:53 am
Mean? NO! A good mother? YES!
Comment by Zarah — January 13, 2008 @ 2:34 am
No, you’re not a meanie. Just a good mom. Kids can get so spoiled sometimes. I hope that this means I’m not a bad mom, either, because I sure have been feeling it lately. Don’t know what it is but the girls have been pushing my buttons!
Comment by Becky — January 13, 2008 @ 7:08 am
Aww Lou hehehe. You are being a great mom, you know.. kids sometimes needs things like that. Their attitude is because they always have what they wanted and needed. Being taff time to time is good; ask them to do simple little things for each gift they receive. They will appreciate in time. I know i worked with kids a while. I keep my finger crossed for u hehe
Comment by Babyblue — January 13, 2008 @ 9:32 am
I don’t think your being mean, infact I think I may just do the same as you and stop buying toys, and especially happy meals.
Comment by Angie — January 13, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
I agree with the comments here. Kids really respect and respond well to limits and if parents don’t teach manners, ethics and behaviors, no one else will. They’ll be better off in the end. Good for you!
Comment by pomaika\'i — January 13, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
Nope, Not mean at all. I think that it’s a lot meaner to let a kid grow up acting like a brat and then getting worse treatment from their boss. Way to go! Just know that on the other side of the country is another mom working on the same problem
Comment by Ellie — January 14, 2008 @ 1:33 am
You are definitely NOT being a meanie. You are being a responsible parent! Good for you!
Comment by Stephanie — January 14, 2008 @ 7:59 am
{As I hear the clomp, clomp clomp, of Hungry Hungy Hippos, minus 7 marbles lost in the abyss of toyland, otherwise known as our family room,in the background as I type this.} I agree, NO MORE TOYS!!!!!!!!
Comment by Dawn — January 14, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Definitely not being a meanie! My son is almost 9 and he has already thrown his toys for Christmas on the floor and walks all over them and wonders why they are broken now and then throws a fit because he didn’t get everything he wanted for Christmas…hummm…I wonder why! Hang in there. You are doing what is best for him to learn to be appreciative and there is nothing wrong with that. I have also swore not to buy Christmas gifts anymore.
Comment by Casey Lu — January 15, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Meannie.. NOT. I used to go all out too but finally got it that they don’t need all that stuff! My kids got clothes and 1 big thing that I know that they really wanted. They actual use them and appreciate them. Kuddos.
Comment by Cori — January 16, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
I was just feeling this way about my children’s books tonight. I used to keep and eye on the books, but we recently moved and the only place the book shelves would fit was down out of sight in the basement/play room area. I am also frustrated by books, games, and toys all over the floor. Absolutely no respect for the books! Even the ones only my nine or twelve-year-old can reach! I felt like taking away the books tonight! Good for you for trying to teach your children, too!
Comment by Mom2Six — January 24, 2008 @ 10:39 pm