How to avoid "buy-buy" and preserve common sense (and the family budget)

Each of us has faced a situation when a child in the window of a supermarket or toy store becomes almost unmanageable. Small "magic eyes" and pleas "mom, buy!" they can confuse even the most experienced father or mother. How to learn to say "no" without traumatizing the child, keeping calm and, most importantly, a healthy balance and family budget? Let's analyze 5 effective life hacks tested by the personal experience of Brave Capital financial advisor Elena Nedoves.

Elena Nedoves

Financial advisor Brave Capital

1. Let me choose one thing, but a valuable one

If your child, like a magnet for sweets, wants everything at once, offer him to make a choice: "Choose one thing, but really cool!" Then add: "Perhaps, instead of chocolate, let's take juicy fruit or yogurt? It is not only tasty, but also useful for health." Such an approach allows the child not to feel limited, but at the same time guides to the right decisions.

2. Toy exchange

When there are already enough toys at home, use it as an opportunity for learning. Explain: "We can buy a new toy, but for this we need to find an old one that you are ready to give to another child or sell." Often, children, not wanting to part with "treasures", offer to choose something else instead of shopping: a trip to the park or a small celebration at home. This helps to maintain balance in the house and in the family budget.

Mother and daughter in the store. Source: freepik

3. "We'll order it online!" (or not?).

When a child dreams of things in a window, do not rush to buy them. Say: “Great idea! We will order it online a little later." Most often, children already forget about the "necessary" thing by dinner, because their interest can be instantaneous. And if the child remembers it even after a few days, this is a signal that the purchase is really important. You can view the options on the Internet together, which allows not only to save time, but also to find a better price.

4. Education of choice as an art

Turn the "pup-pup" moment into a fun game. Ask the child to evaluate the importance of the purchase: "If we buy this machine, will there be room for our big plans, for example, a puzzle or a new book?"Such a game develops in the child the ability to analyze and make an informed choice, which is an invaluable skill in the future.

5. Develop imagination and alternatives

Instead of another purchase, offer to create something together. For example: "Is this a dollhouse? Let's make it ourselves! We need a box, colored paper and a little imagination." This not only saves money and the family budget, but also strengthens the bond between parents and children.

Mother and daughter are shopping. Source: freepik

The main thing is calmness and consistency

Children are very sensitive to your emotions. If you calmly and lovingly explain why you don't buy something right away, they will quickly understand your position. In your hands is not only a wallet, but also a chance to become a wise mentor for a child.

Personal experience

These tips are not theory, but real experience, tested on my almost 4-year-old son Alexei. Together, we learned to choose between chocolate and fruit, make "masterpieces" from improvised materials, and even arrange toy exchanges. Thanks to these life hacks, we managed to maintain a balance between impulsive desires and smart decisions. Yesthat if your child is also at the age of "mom, buy, buy!", try these methods. And remember: everything is possible when love, patience and a little cunning are the basis.