3 1/2 yo asking for "presents"

[dak3130]

My 3 1/2 yo daughter has recently started asking for "presents" or new toys almost daily. My response to her has been that it's impolite to continuously ask for presents and that if she behaves and listens to mom and dad she might get the toy she's requesting from santa claus or for her birthday.

I don't think we've over indulged her. True, she has no shortage of toys/puzzles/dolls... but I don't think she has nearly as much as many of her playmates. And now that she's getting to an age where she actually sees more and more advertising, I'd like to try and nip this in the bud.

So I'm wondering if 3 1/2 is too young to start an allowance? That way she has to earn the money and choose what to spend it on. Or does anybody have other suggestions on how to curb the constant wanting?

[Zack_Jenn]

Thanks to my wonderful in-laws that shower our kids with gifts everytime they see them, we are starting to have this problem with our amlost 3 yo. What we have done to do our best to combat it is to allow her to make a wish list.

We tell her repeatedly that it is not kind to ask for presents and we should never expect to get gifts from others. When we are out and she sees something she feels she cannot live without we add it to her "Birthday/Christmas wish list." Which we explained Santa, mommy & daddy or grandma & grandpa can pick things from to give her on her birthday or Christmas.

With her birthday coming up it has actually been helpful to have ideas to give to others who ask what she would like.

I do like your idea of giving an allowance though, we may have to find a way to work that out.

[wright1212]

I am having the same issues with my 4 yo. Every cartoon she watches is follow by "Can I have Barbie doctor?" "Can I have Sketchers" "I need some fruity pebbles". I do not buy her toys, especially from the store. If I am out yard saleing and find a good deal I might get a little something. Other than that she gets a load of stuff on xmas and bday since she has 8 grandparents. Yet she still ask. I am sure its just a phase of learning to balance wants/needs with media propaganda marketed towards our youngest. She even asked when the baby will need its "gerber food"!!
I did try an allowance with a chore chart (all pictures) she didnt stick to it. In fact she wouldnt clean her room at all. So I took all her toys, movies, dress up clothes everything and "threw them away". After 4 days I told her I decided to save them since she was a good listener. Now each day she gets 1 toy back if she cleans. She is truly learning to appreciate everything little toy she has!!