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You can help keep your child’s materialism in check by following these simple steps:
1) Back to Basics: Try to bring your parenting back to a basic level. No need to respond to
distractions that at times seem out of range on many levels and maybe out of your comfort zone.
2) Self-Awareness: Working along with your parenting partner, ensure agreed-upon family values, as well as
structures that support your beliefs.
3) Explore: Remember that
need your child may have for all these newest gadgets possibly camouflages a deeper problem.
4) Communicate: Discuss with your child
concept of earning, as well as alternative to their request. A less costly option may meet
need.
5) Don't fulfill every request: Children who get everything they ask for don't learn to handle disappointment, and they don't learn to work for
things they desire, or delay
need for gratification.
6) Spend time rather than money on your kids: It's not easy in our hectic lives to give children
time and attention they crave, but that's
best way to ward off
"gimmes."
Remember: No matter what your child says, he/she wants — and needs — a secure sense of family more than a roomful of possessions. There may be times when it’s appropriate to fulfill a request and times when it’s best to say no. You know your child best: listen, learn, teach and communicate in a respectful manner and do your best to focus your children on
lessons of giving as well as receiving.

Dr. Charles Sophy, author of the “Keep ‘Em Off My Couch” blog, provides real simple answers for solving life’s biggest problems. He specializes in improving the mental health of children. To contact Dr. Sophy, visit his blog at http://drsophy.com.