OT: Ungrateful Kids

I thought about mounting the TV and placing the DVD higher, but the lazy girl in me wanted them to be able to reach it on their own.  I am not replacing the last DVD player.  It kills me that they will be watching those damn Barney DVDs in the living room but I will have to deal with it.

It also kills me the way they tell me they need another one, like they are asking me to go get a loaf of bread or something.  "Oh momma our DVD broken, can you pick one up at Wal-mart"  give me a break!!!

Ok, take it for what's it worth because some people think I'm crazy/too hard on my son but here it is...

We do not have cable nor does he have a TV/DVD in his room.  He is 5 and has never had one.  He has toys, books, board games, etc. but this Momma don't play the TV to lay down with.  At night we read and then you take your butt to sleep.

The DVD in the living room--he doesn't touch.  Period.  I control that.  So if it gets broke, it's on me.

As far as Christmas--Santa brings ONE present and it's never the best present.  I spend less than $200.00 total because he is getting plenty of presents with relatives, friends, etc. 

When he was younger I would put presents up and dole them out throughout the year so that he got a new toy every so often.  I also do not replace broken toys so if he breaks something he won't have it or it will be replaced with his money.

I also made him purchase at 5 his own Nintendo DS and games--that game system looks like it just came out of the box and he is very careful about who plays it and where it is put up when he is done.

At birthday time, I pay for the party and buy ONE present.  It's more than enough. 

The standards you set early on are the standards that are going to be throughout.  You don't want a 16 year old tearing up your car because they have never had to take care of/respect their things.

It definately is hard being a single parent and we want the best for our children.  That also entails teaching them to be the best person they can be. 

You're a woman after my own heart! 

Your photo  (avatar) looks eerily like ME! I tried to pull up your profile but, it is listed as private or not found. Check out my profile  photos (not my avatar) to see if that was just a fluke, or, you are my double!  Maybe it was the size of your picture, but I stared and stared and it still seemed as if I was staring at a picture of myself! LOL! Leave a comment.  to tell me what you think.

I got you TAW.  I don't give them an allowance though so at this point they cant buy anything with their own money.

I have to agree with all the posts before mine. Especially, Donna.......she is right. Also, I agree with the notion that sometimes single parents over compensate because the spouse is not around. If you don't listen to anything posted here...........please take this advice............PUT A STOP TO IT NOW. It only gets worse and they start to expect everything at any cost.

I have two 5-year olds so I know.....................trust me. Honestly they don't appreciate anything right now, but i'm finding that it's my job to start teaching them. They embarassed me over the Christmas Holiday while vacationing in Georgia. They kept complaining that they didn't have their own room, etc. It really made my in-laws feel bad. Since then I've decided to start talking to them and explaining more stuff to them. Hell, I grew up in the projects of Detroit but because I didn't want that for my kids ~ we did what we had to do. Although their lives will be better.............they still need to understand they don't have it like that or the world will not be handed to them on a silver platter.

Just my two cents...................sorry.

No need to apologize.  I get the point.  Thanks for your response.

Hey Brenda!

My children didn't have a TV in their room until they were around  11 or 12.  They had to watch TV in the living room and the only DVD player and VCR has always been in the living room.  I just recently allowed my youngest son  who is 16 to put his gaming systems in his room...in turn this allows him to play DVD's as well.  You probably should pull back and not give them everything they want and yes they are too young to know better. 

Thank you Faith.  Sorry I didn't respond to you earlier.  But you have been around my kids and you know they are for the most part very sweet little boys, but their momma does spoil them.   I don't really have an issue with spoiling them but I do want them to respect their things.

My son is a senior in high school.  He's never had a TV, computer or phone in his room.  While I make sure he has everything he needs, I refuse to satisfy all of his wants.  That's not my job as a mother.  He's well taken care of and is appreciative for everything his has.