What do you do when your child DEMANDS?

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A post shared by Dr Debmita Dutta - Parenting Expert (@debmitadutta)

What do you do when your child DEMANDS?

Do you 
(a) Buy what they ask?
(b) Explain and argue?
(c) Say “I don’t have money”
(d) Say “We can’t afford it”

Does this result in tears, tantrums and more demands?

Then STOP

And follow my 

4D formula for DEALING WITH DEMANDS

The 1st D is DREAM – 
When children ask for something – what they really want is connection.
Listen to them.
Appreciate the item they want.
Dream with them about how much fun it would be to have it.
Imagine with them what else can be used in its place.

The 2nd D is DEESCALATE
The easiest way to deescalate is to empathize.
I know you feel sad that we can’t buy it. 

The 3rd D is DESIRE
Understand that it is normal to desire things and help them to plan to fulfill their desires
Give them some money and allow them to buy something with it.
Help them to make a plan to save up for it
Encourage creating a wish list that they can choose from on their birthday.
Show them how to get the best deal.

The 4th D is DISCUSS
Talk about what you are going to buy before you leave the house. 
Show them how to pick out things within your budget.
Have an ongoing conversation about your family values of eating healthy, focusing on sustainability etc. so that they make the right buying decisions.

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Share this with THOSE WHO BUY YOUR CHILD THINGS AND THEN CALL THEM SPOILT

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