The other day - I was at Target with my girls.. Before we left home I advised both girls that if they want to come with me they cannot ask for anything... My kids have enough junk - both good and bad and I was on my way to grocery shop not kid shop. Both girls agreed and we took off. Before we got out of the car in the parking lot - I once again advise the girls ' DO NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING....... Once again the girls agreed...
We were not in the store two (2) minutes before my eldest asked for something - another purse to add to her collection of five (5) perfectly fine purses she already has... I gave her the "be quiet" look.... She chose to ignore that look.. then I hear the P L E A S EEEEEEEEEE and I said "no" - she says she'll pay for it.... I ask her with what money - she already spent her allowance and the next two weeks allowance on other things she "really needed" Then the whining starts and the pleasseee keeps going... I head for the door - the kids quickly follow. They know I am beyond mad - my thirteen year old practically threw a three (3) year old fit for a purse... I tell both of them that we are going home.... then I proceed to lecture my eldest as we are walking to the the car.... how I told her not to ask.... How she tries to spend money she does not have.... How embarrassed she must feel for causing a scene... blah blah blah....
Then I hear a voice behind me..... "I think she understands...." I turn around and there was an elderly woman... This lady says "I think she understands.. that you are mad... How many ways do you think you have to tell her?" I had no idea what to say this this woman - who I had never seen before..... Bud out? Who do you think you are? Thank you? Nosy much? I just looked at her - and turned around.... but she made me think....
How many times does it take for a thirteen year old to hear me? When will my daughter understand the concept of money? When will she learn that she cannot take or have something just because she wants it? How often do I lecture her? How loud am I when I Lecture her? Does she tune out the lecturing? Am I doing it right? Am I doing it wrong?
So I took the kids home - I got back into the car and went to Target by myself - finished the grocery shopping by myself... and I missed my kids.....
Don't you just hate that? I think you did the right thing leaving though. I hear so many parents tell their kids if they do something one more time they are going to leave and then the kids continue on and on knowing that they won't really leave. What age did you start to listen and really take in what your Mom told you? I honestly couldn't say for me! I'm glad you were able to get your shopping done.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I think I might be tempted to ask Miss Budinski "She understands what?".
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteThankfully we don't get that from our kids. I am super super thankful. My first born was a dream child to take shopping. She never literally asked for anything. I guess that is why we got her stuff. Our second is a little bit better she knows if she has money she can spend it but if not, she can only look and think of things to save it for.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
All I can say is, Good for you! You stood your ground as a parent and you shouldn't think twice about it. :)
ReplyDeleteObviously, that grandma never had teenagers that were stubborn and/or demanding... or she did, and they walked all over her.
Either way, your daughter will learn about money as long as you continue to teach her those valuable lessons... and as much as I'm sure you missed them shopping, she learned. I guarantee it.
~Lynette
Oh my. "Apparently she doesn't, or we wouldn't have to be leaving" would have come out of my mouth before I could stop it.
ReplyDelete