We want to raise children who aren't brats, who value what they receive and display self-control. Our sons biggest and really only wish for Christmas was an X-Box.
Now, I have to say that I am really against electronic toys and my first reaction was: NO! But my husband had some self-interest here so I caved and bought it, BUT, it had a caveat:
I asked my husband to play along and then asked the boys what they would want if they did not get an X-Box. One wanted a certain book, the other one a new comforter. Good enough. I bought those and on Christmas morning, that is what they found under the tree, not much else.
We carefully observed what would happen now. Did we raise spoiled brats? Would there be expressed disappointment? Even a tantrum?
None of that! Of course it was not hard to see the disappointment in their faces, especially the younger one. But they stayed poised, thanked us for the gifts, hugged and kissed us and then we asked them to go to their rooms to get dressed, using the few minutes an 11 year old need to hop into pants and shirt to place the X-box and control packages under the tree.
They came back up and we told them they had forgotten something. They looked at the things and said, no that must be for somebody else, we got everything. So we asked them to open them anyhow and of course the joy was enormous.
We then told them, had they shown any bad attitude or poor behavior we would have send that thing right back.
But luckily they did perfectly well.
This is what we all should do from time to time,
· step back and look at ourselves
· what is our attitude
· do we show emotions we really should keep to ourselves
· do we respect decisions others are making
· Are we brats?
Handling disappointment and with that other unfavorable feelings well and poised needs to be part of our fabric. Not pouting when you do not get that listing or the buyer chooses another agent will in the long run get you more business. People like dealing with a person who has self-control.
Hope you all had a brat free and peaceful Christmas!
Annette
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