Tip on controlling the "Can I have this, and that" with the kids

[disnyrtl]

My two kids were always asking for all kinds of stuff while at the parks. "Daddy, can I have popcorn; Daddy, can I have a ice cream?" All that adds up, right? So I decided to come up with "daily coupons" for the kids. These are just some "coupons" that I created at home using MS Word with some Disney pictures on them that said something like "Good for one Popcorn" or Good for one snack and I would put a price limit on each coupon. Each day of the trip I would give each kid 3 coupons a piece and once they used those up, that would be it. (Of course the "main meals" and the occasional mid-day snack did not count) Boy what a change it made! First of all I could better budget for the trip by knowing I would not be spending more than "X" amount on misc snacks during the day. Second it introduces the kids to handling money/trade. Third it gives the kids more responsibility. Aside from the dollar amount limit, the only rule we followed was no snacks right before going to a meal or b4 entering a building were they would need to throw it away. Aside from that, I did not place any restrictions. If they wanted to use all the snacks first thing in the morning, well that was their business. They could even save the coupons for the next day if they wanted or "sell them back" to dad/mom for 75 cents on the dollar. Give it a try and see what happens.

 

[Michigan_Minnie]

That sounds like a pretty good idea. My son is an asker and DH gives in to whatever he wants!

 

[avasdad]

That's a great idea. With our daughter it is more about buying stuff. toys and dolls more than food. she is only five. before we left we went to the a disney store outlet. We purchased mini princess dolls. I think there 5. they were around 3 dollars a piece. we told her if she behaved well during the day that magical things can happen. in the morning we would put out one of the dolls with a note from tinkerbell< who flew in the room at night to bring her the special gift. we'd sprinkle some glitter around it as pixie dust. she still talks about her special dolls from tink.... the last day we left her a 20$ gift card so she could pick something out. it kept us from getting her a gifts during the day and she behaved really well....

 

[benolathe]

Sounds like a wonderful idea - for all the reasons that you pointed out. My kids are much older now, but this is a good thing to keep in mind for "sometime in the future" grandkids.

 

[SKWDW]

Great tip! Thanks OP.

 

[Dismom55]

When my kids were younger and we only stayed at Disney 4/5 days, I told them they could only buy souvies on the last day. Told them to keep an eye out for the items they liked. It stopped the constant can I have this and that. We gave them a $$ limit, and told them each time they asked for something then we would take .25 off the total. They never asked can I have this or that the whole time, so in return we purchased an extra something and gave that to them in the car on the way home at about the half way point.

For the next trip I also made what we called Disney Dollars, about the size of a business card. When they were older we placed a dollar amount on a chore or item we were having a hard time getting the kids to accomplish. They got paid in pretend Disney $$$. Then they cashed in the pretend $$ for the real stuff once we arrived at Disney (of course I kept track so I had the real earned amount). The kids were older at that time and were in charge of their own money and warned once gone, that was it. Funny how kids can self budget.

My kids are 36 yrs, 22 yrs and 18 yrs now and well some of those lessons were well learned. I am all for creative ways to teach kids the value of $$$.

 

[Minnie J]

Now this is a great idea!! Im definitely going to make some coupons and let them go at it!! Thanks alot OP!

 

[noahdove]

Great ideas...I however, haven't had that problem with asking. Not my children nor my granddaughter, and she is 3. She just went with me on a little vacation and the only thing she asked for was chocolate milk at dinner I guess I am blest with this. I do remember telling my girls (now 33 and 31) not to ask for anything and if they did, they may NOT get it. So, I guess I put the fear in them from the beginning..and let me just say, they always got a snack or two and a souvenier. They would each get a different snack and share that way, they could have 2

 

[MomofSixinSC]

A few years ago, I realized Ihad taught my children very well not to ask for things We walked into the grocery store and encountered a new display case with frsh made doughnuts in it. I admired them and my daughter reminded me we didn't have money for such treats. I guess they had been listening!

 

[scarlet_ibis]

We go often, and I have been pushing the notion of decluttering with the kids, so I don't have a ton of begging for "stuff." We take more of the disposable things to have fun with -- glow sticks and necklaces, bubbles to blow from the balcony, and (although not disposable) custom autograph books. They usually each have one thing that they are looking forward to getting on a trip (new Mickey ears or a crown of a certain princess), or maybe it's a special experience like the BBB.

 

[tpimental]

I love this idea...

 

[skiingfast]

That's a good idea. But I set the limits or standards when we are entering the parks. It has worked just fine for me.

 

[KRCMOM]

This may seem simplistic compared to the mega-creativity on this thread (kudos!), but I went out and bought three $25 Disney gift cards - one for each child. I will put each one in a "gift bag" with a few inexpensive treats and present them on the plane ride to FL. It will be up to each kid to determine throughout the week how to spend it (well, DS3 might need a little guidance!) DS9 and DD7 often get gift cards as gift from family/friends, and I find it a great way to teach budgeting and how to make smart decisions on what to buy. At Target, for example - you can spend it on a bunch of little things, or save up for a video game...or spend part of it and save the rest for a future purchase..or buy two things that add up to the total of the gift card, etc. I love watching them learn how to make these sometimes "tough" decisions!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I pack each of the kids backpacks (now 9yo and 4yo) with both new and old stuff (2/3 new, 1/3 tried and true) the day before our trips and they aren't allowed to look inside until we are at the gate of the airport!

I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive Disney themed stuff at the Target dollar spot, Dollar Tree and of course The Disney Store (on sale/clearance). I stash it away until time for our trip and the kids love it.

I also keep a few things and stash them in my luggage to surprise the kids during the trip.

This reduces the I wants considerably...and we can focus on purchasing unique things we can only get AT WDW.

Since we always do a dining plan we don't have an issue w/ snack "I wants" ...usually we are trying to burn snack credits so it is more than fine for the kids to get another ice cream or popcorn!

 

[dopeydiva]

These are awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Stay well,
AnnMarie

 

[lblume91]

Our kids earn their "Disney Dollars" leading up to the trip by doing chores. They can also lose dollars for not doing chores, arguing, talking back, etc. They sometimes earn bonus bucks for "being caught doing something extra nice" for someone else. However, no bonus bucks earned if you ask for them! I get a gift card for each DD upon arrival & they know that's all they get for the trip. We let them spend it however they want but do offer some guidance to our youngest. ("You can get the same thing at Target at home for half that price" or "We still have 4 days. Are you sure you really want that?") We do the DDP so they have their 1 snack per day. If they want something additional, it comes off their gift card. They know not to ask for anything extra. Something we started during our last trip: if they argue, I get to buy something for me with their gift card! It really was an empty threat as I don't think I could bring myself to actually do it but they didn't know that! It did make for a peaceful trip!