After all that festive excitement is over, the novelty of new toys have worn out. K started going through the Playmobile catalogue and asked for new sets for his birthday. I realised that when toys come so easily for him, he will not appreciate the value of gifts and will start to take these things for granted.
Thus dh came up with this idea to help K learn the value of money, as well as make sure he finishes his food at every meal; 50 cents will be given to K each time he finishes the food on his plate. He eats way too little for a child his age and he has acquired a bad habit of leaving food on his plate at every meal. I am also hoping this works so that I don't have to raise my voice / threaten punishment for not finishing his food each time.
I wasn't too thrilled with this idea initially, as I felt that it was not good to be 'paid' for finishing food. Afterall, it is something that has to be done without being offered a reward at the end of it. Dh's argument was that since it was so difficult for him to finish food, this was an effective way to help him learn the value of money, as well as, give him the experience of 'raising' his own funds for his toys.
Once the funds have been 'raised' for his new toy, we hope that he would have gotten used to finishing all his meals (I hope it works and not come to a stage where no 50 cents = no finishing food on his plate). And we will move on to getting him to do specific chores around the house for 50 cents at each time, to help him raise funds for another toy that he has set his eyes on. He has to share the money that he raised by buying an item for his friend, so as to discourage any form of being totally self-serving in his efforts.
Dh and I don't believe in denying our child toys, as he may possibily fall victim to excessive consumerism when he is older. Denying your child toys (not excessively) is similar to denying your child junk food or sweets when there are pre-schoolers. I may be stereotyping with my example but I have heard of some friends who were denied sweets and potato chips when they were younger, and subsquently went on a junk food binge when they were in pre-teens/ adolescent age.
This method has worked quite well the last few days, as K has repeatedly finished all his food at every meal. Although I have to work doubly hard to ensure that he does not acquire a love of money or a constant desire for material things.
Looks like I have to step up his exposure to hungry, starving children from youtube videos, more empathy building stories and a visit to Cambodia to help build something for orphanages when he is of age.
Sigh… It's really tough being a parent.
Thinking of going budget and keeping most presents between $20-$50, and some people will be stuck with my hand-made creations 😉 , afterall what matters is the thought that counts.
