Are we giving too much to our children?

Are we giving too much to our children? And how much is too much?

It seems like this was long time ago! However, our childhood is not so distant in the past as to be forgotten! We had one Black & White TV, ONE programme of movie songs on Wednesday, oONE cartoon over Sunday mornings and one Sunday evenings; oh! and not to forget the Sunday movie!!

There were some friends who did not have the TV sets- even B&W. This was not unusual. We, who had this 'luxury' looked forward with eagerness to the FEW attractions that TV offered. Now-a-days, the children have more than a hundred channels, running simulataneously, dedicated music channels and full time cartoon channels. Most children have access to the idiot box and cannot keep still even while watching. If they donot like a particular programme or even a part thereof, they can switch channels! And not one or two but tens or hundreds! Options are galore. Result? POOR ATTENTION SPANS!!! Children who watch too much TV see only three munutes worth of a programme before their mind is diverted by adverts. Translation? Concentration fleeting after three minutes of tasking!

Seemingly intelligent children have no value for all that they get so easily. It is not their fault! They have not earned it. We, the parents are largely to blame for how the children view life! In our home, my husband has a very clear rule- only one thing at a time- one desire fulfilled- one toy- one visit to McDonald's- one gift... Our children have learnt the meaning of prioritising. they know that they are going to get only one of their wants. They must choose what they want today... what is it that they can postpone? They learn the power of delayed gratification. When they get their desire after 2 or 3 or even 7 days, they enjoy it longer and value it more.
We let them make the payments for a toy sometimes- just so they also realise that they are paying for the joy they want.

Money does not buy everything but if we do not tetach our children the value of money- they will never be successful in life! We need to impart the value that money implies... not the mere paper... but the value we assign to anything by tagging it with money.

A desire fulfilled comes at a price... we all learn to pay the price.

Nothing comes free... not even the buy one - get one! Or the 20% extra!!!

We need to teach our children the meaning of CHOICES... value of DESIRES... contentment... LIVING!!!!!!!!!