Comments on: Don’t Make Their Life Too Easy

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:01:39 +0000

I have had positive outcome with the above advice even with my older children. I explain that they are being rude and ungrateful…not content and grateful to God and others for a kindness given to them. Making them do without it next time or taking it away this time (as with the blueberries) does work pretty quickly even for my very stubborn 5yo.

I also wanted to comment that lately I have seen a number of large children (10-12yr olds) both boys and girls who were bawling their heads off, whining and pouting in stores. It was VERY embarrassing to me on their behalf. I really could not believe my eyes. One girl said…”I ate it all , now you HAVE to buy me starbucks.” After she was just throwing a fit 3 min before.

I personally struggle with getting my 12yr boy to desire hard work and enjoy it. We didnt foster it when he was little (thought he was too young for chores..then it was too late) and now it is really tough. He is always whiny and wants the easy way out or quits when it is too hard. Our 5yr old is a much harder worker because we have allowed him to work and struggle along with us so he can learn endurance and build muscle while he is the age of mimicking and being a go-getter. It is working beautifully in him and he isnt obsessed with toys like my older ones have been. Do what you have to do when they are young..it is SO hard to deal with after they are older. We also did not spank enough when our older ones were younger either and one learned to get away with mouthiness which is heart-breaking now.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:22:10 +0000

That is a tough one. I would make his complaining counter-productive. ) If he complains because he did not get milk with the blueberries, I’d remove the blueberries. If he complains about having to come in the house, make him stay in the next day, be sure he an see the others playing.

Have you read this article http://www.armenianbiblechurch.org/food%20corner/saturation%20love.htm ?

Also I suggest reading The Heart of Anger.

Just a couple ideas.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:13:16 +0000

What do you do with a frequent “pouter and complainer”? I have six children ages 2-15 and my 7yo is never satisfied. If you give him blueberries, he wanted blueberries and milk. If you let him play outside, he wanted to play longer. If you let someone else have something (toy, snack, computer time, whatever) he wants it too. He rarely accepts something as given. Everything you give him he has to improve upon.

How do I go about training him for this?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:41:33 +0000

Hi Jill,
I have two daughters, they each pay 1/4th of their lesson, Jeff pays the other half. )

I’ll have to think about the money smarts. Dave Ramsey is my hero when it comes to that stuff!

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:03:53 +0000

Hee hee. Who’s paying the other 1/4 of the voice lesson?
Excellent article! Thank you!!!
I would love to hear more about encouraging “money smarts” in kids, and even a breakdown of ages, like you did for chores.

Thanks again and always!