Is your kid a spoiled brat? When I was young, I generally got what I wanted from my parents. They were lucky that the things I wanted weren't much. (Though they were upset when I'd rack up lots of long distance phone charges with the modem while calling BBSs.)

Many parents struggle with not buying their children what they desire when they can afford to do so. But "it has nothing to do with whether you can afford it... It has to do with the values you want to raise the kids with."

If you're dealing with a kid easily influenced by the media and wanting many "things," CNN suggests these "things" you can give him or her:

* Give them an early start in learning about finances.

* Give them boundaries for spending.

* Give them responsibility for the consequences of money management.

* Give them an allowance but not as payment for chores, which are part of the family responsibilities.

* Don't give in to their wants.

I don't have kids yet, but I most definitely will some day. I'm sure it will be hard to fight off the desire to give my children whatever they want, including the Earth and other celestial objects. Perhaps I will use these resources in order to keep myself grounded in this hypothetical future date in which Flexo has reproduced:

* The Spoiled Child Page
* Is it Okay to Spoil Your Kids?
* Dealing Effectively With Children's Mistaken Goals
* Spoiled Rotten, advice from guru Suze Orman

My mother is starting a blog about parenting. I've set everything up for her but she hasn't had the chance to get it started yet. (If you're reading, Mom, that's a hint.) I'm sure at some point, the whole world will be able to read and infer the problems my brother and I had as children.

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