All of a sudden, my DD5 is a problem shopper! Help!

[monkeychicbatik]

Our time grows near, and now all of a suden my DD5 is almost impossible to take into stores. It's the I've gotta have it syndrome! Sometimes leading to the waterworks. I used to work at Disney World and I've seen it happen to many a kid. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to handle this, maybe making the shopping experience into a game or something? The shopping is everywhere and I'd like to keep the "battles" to a minimum!

 

[CEDmom]

My DD is also 5 and what we do is give her part of her birthday/Christmas/Easter etc money to spend however she chooses. Once it's gone that's it. Luckily the holidays are pretty spread out so she usually has at least a few dollars. She's become quite the educated consumer because of this. Anytime she asks for something, which doesn't happen in every store, I tell her she can have it (assuming it's age appropriate) but she has to use her own money. We then discuss how much the item is, how much $ she has and what she'll have left if she buys it (great math lesson BTW). Many times she decides she doesn't really have to have it. Other times we put it in the cart so she can think about it. I've also noticed that she takes much better care of the things she's paid for.

 

[clh2]

I totally agree with CEDmom. Worked like a charm for our DD. We started her on this type of program when she was 6. She always thought good and hard about making a purchase of something that might be "junky." Our only rules for her were she can not purchase junk food just before a meal.

DD is now 11, and she is still a pretty good shopper. She still doesn't like to waste her money on stuff that is going to break after she is out of the store.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I agree to turn the problem over to her. Give her a set amount she can spend and then let her call the shots. I too have veto power over snacks, and i refuse to carry any purchases. I encourage late day shopping to avoid this problem. Other ideas are to avoid the shops as much as possible. Focus on other activities and walk quickly through all the end of rides shops. What ever game plan you decide on it's important to set the rules and stick to it. Crying or begging should have a negavite result such as getting nothing that day. We try really hard to not focus on the shopping at WDW, and now at 12 DS rarely spends all his money and makes good choices.

Jordan's mom