Relationships  Discussion Forum

Hi. I have 2 sons 6&5 years old. Of late my husband and I are at cross-swords over some kid's issues. Both my husband and I hail from a middle-class family from India and so know the value of money and see that every penny is spent carefully. Though we are quite well off now, we still retain the old values but my children are very careless. Toys are carelessly broken or lost, stationary is lost every day and when questioned, they casually say \";we'll buy another one.\"; This pains me a lot and cannot understand how they picked up this habit. I only fulfill 1 out of every 5 of their demands, so they are never over-indulged. My husband says the children are young and its okay. Recently my son wanted to take money to school to buy some food item to eat on the way home. Since all his friends were also doing this, I gave him the money only to discover that this food item was not even branded and certainly not worth the money spent. So I told my son that I will pack a extra snack to eat on the way home but my husband feels I am being over protective and spoiling the child's fun. Of late the children's protests, and my husbands comments have made me so unsure that I feel my ideas about child upbringing is totally out dated. Generation gap problems which one encounters with teenagers seems to have come in a few years early. How do I deal with it?
Archie replied. Hi Nitya,
I understand your concerns and let me tell you there is nothing hugh problem as you may feel.
You can teach children lessons on economy, yet don't forget this is their age of enjoyment.
Things you don't find comfortable should be explain why and how they are bad for children than expressing economic concern.
I think you are little overly worried and taking caution. Childrens would find it little difficult to understand economic background.

As said by your husband it's OK to have children's behaved this way. As long as you or your partner keep eye on what they eat and what they do is perfect. Should anyone of you find something misused, explain them nicely they will listen.

If you watch on them from now, which I bet you are, your childrens won't fall in those teenager you don't want them to be. They will be great and understanding ones!

I know childrens can make fuss even for a few cents, but it's your job to explain them why they should not carry money with them. Let teach them not to follow everything what their schoolmate do. They can put those wanted things to one of you and this way you two can help them getting or not getting. While explaining to avoid something be careful that they don't get hurt, with love.

Cheers
Archie