I’ve been very lucky with my kids. Up until recently neither has been terribly acquisitive. My daughter has been known to turn down the offer to take a movie home from her great-grandparents because she didn’t feel she needed it. She’s been quite content with her toys.

Of course, you know that had to change, and now we’re in the phase of if she sees a commercial, whether or not she understands what is being offered, we need it. Urgently.

Don’t worry, we don’t give in easily. It’s not in the budget and it’s not necessary. Put those two concepts together and Ariel just doesn’t have a chance.

We are lucky in some ways. She doesn’t care about fashion, which some of her friends do already. We can go through the grocery store without too much begging. She still listens when we tell her she can’t have what she’s after.

That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have too much stuff. With grandparents, aunts and uncles all around, it would be hard to keep her from having so many toys. But I’m glad to not have to buy all of it.

What I suggest for dealing with acquisitive children is a stronger ability to say no. It’s not easy, but sometimes the simplest advice makes the most sense.

You have to say no to yourself too, and not buy tons of stuff that you don’t need, in order to set the example. It doesn’t do so much good to say no to your kids all the time if you’re spoiling yourself. On the budget of many stay at home moms such restraint is a huge help to the budget, more necessary than optional.

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