My son is finally at the age where I can say things like ‘maybe Santa will bring it for Christmas’ or ‘add it to your birthday wish list’. Those statements work!
I should say that he was never the type to demand I buy something. We could go into the toy store at anytime and while he might ask for something or say he likes it, he never freaks out since most of the time we simply don’t buy something (unless at the book store, but that’s another story). I’ve always been lucky that way. There was one time when he lost it at Winners because he wanted a basketball. He was just over 1.5 years old. That was the only incident.
Now, when he wants something or sees another child with something cool, I suggest he wait for his birthday (November) or Christmas. He has no problem with this logic. He does need to learn that Santa won’t necessarily get everything he asks for, but it’s a start.
So far, this is his list:
-The new Leapfrog Explorer (his cousins all have a Nintendo DS. I showed him the explorer site instead. He wants the Toy Story game with it 😉
-A Hot Wheels colour changing set
-A Woody Doll
-Toy Story 3 the movie (notice a trend here?!)
-Bunk beds for him and his sister (ummmmm, ya. this may not be happening).
That’s it. The true test of his list? Will be to see what he asks for in a few months.
Have you started referring to the big bearded guy yet? Do they create lists year round?
We do that. It’s great! I mention the lists all year round but they don’t write anything down until closer to the date. They are always seeing things on TV or in the stores and get excited and want it right then and there. I’ve never purchased anything in the store when they demand it…birthdays and Christmas only. So now that they understand “wish lists”, it makes life so much easier.
My kids used to be good about not asking for stuff, but this spring we let them break some money out of their piggybanks to buy something for the first time ever, and now they’re obsessed with shopping. So we’ve started the idea of the wish list, too.
My older two are pretty good about it but my youngest, who just turned 3 last week, is hilarious. This weekend we were at the toy store and every other thing went on her “wish list.” Eventually we just started nodding and saying…oh yes, got it…it’s on there…of course…and that too yes…
Hilarious.
I think it’ll be interesting to see, come Christmastime, if they actually remember what they have on their list.
I know I will be using the “maybe Santa will bring it” more often with my oldest. However, Nana SPOILS my kids rotten so if V mentions wanting a toy and it’s not a super expensive one, Nana will just show up one day with it!
Sigh…and inevitably I will end up with 2 because the younger one will want to play with her sister’s toy…so I have 2 Buzzes, 2 Woodys, 2 V-Tech mini laptops…
K knows I generally won’t buy him things so immediately asks for everything for his birthday (September). I think he’s banking on that and will quickly switch to Christmas once we’ve passed it 🙂
My oldest who is 3 rarely asks for specific things. There is a general desire to want “stuff” but she doesn’t really play with her toys a lot. Last year for Christmas her big wish was….a housecoat! I didn’t believe it at first, but for over a month she clearly wanted a housecoat. So that’s what Santa brought her. And it’s probably been used half a dozen times, but she loves that she has it.
I just started a list last night things baby boy will need for Christmas or ideas for toys I would like to see in the house. With 3 sets of grandparents, 3 aunts/uncles with no kids and solid jobs, 4 great grandparents and a great great grandmother he is going to be spoiled!!! DH & I don’t like unnecessary clutter so trying to kindly direct ppl to items that will be useful! I know the day is fast approaching when he asks for that first toy. Right bow trying to forget that one day he won’t be a baby and will be a toddler with his own thoughts to express!
They really do grow up so quickly so it is nice when the promise of Santa’s coming still fills them with excitement and anticipation.