When shopping for kids, it's important to plan ahead. Think about what the child needs and not what it wants. What the kid wants can go on a wish list for birthdays and holidays. What the kid needs should be discussed with it well before anyone heads to the store. You should write down specifically what is required and how much you are willing to spend on it and who gets to make the final selection.
School supplies are of course very important and there's probably not much need for you to intervene in the selection of a pencil; however, when it comes to clothes, you will want to have some say. The ground rules should be laid out before you go shopping, to minimise disputes at the store. Let the child tell you what he or she likes and give them as much freedom as possible, but let them know that you have the final say.
Cost is another thing you might have to lay out firmly as children should not be spoilt with excessively expensive goods, even if you can afford them. However, if other children turn up at school with pricey clothing, toys and electronics, your child might feel slighted. You have to maintain a sense of balance for them.
Children are also very susceptible to advertising, and merchandisers know this, with plenty of commercials directed at children and teens. You must help children to understand the concept of advertising - making you want something you didn't even know existed - and keep it from affecting their lives. You'll also want to teach them about the evils of credit while they are young, so they do not fall into the trap of becoming in debt to own all the things they see advertised.
|
||||
|
||||
