UH OH...I think my son is spoiled. We have enough toys and stuff for 10 kids, and?

Question

although we rotate the toys every few weeks I cant help but think my son might become a brat later on in life?
I am not the only mom I know whose kids have tons of toys, almost everyone I know who has kids has shotloads of toys and tons of clothes.
I dont want my kid to be a brat, he isnt now, but how do I prevent it?
I am not going to deprive my child, we arent broke and money isnt the problem and education is already taken care of.
Any ideas?
I want him to be thankful of the life he has, not just expect it.

BTW he is 2.

Answer 1

I think that as long as he is good with sharing his toys and taking care of them, for example he doesn't throw them around and brake them thinking its ok he will be ok. From my experience kids that have a wealth of toys that understand even though they have a lot they still need to respect them and say thank you don't grow up to act like brats. Hope that helps you :)

Answer 2

No kid needs that many toys. Ask him to pick out ten of his favorite toys and ten that he wants to give to a kid that has no toys. Explain to him that there are some kids who don't have any nice toys and he would be doing a nice thing to another kid. You might think he doesn't understand this, but most 2 year olders do!

All the toys he never plays with, give those away too. Keep some in a box for later, when he gets bored of what he has.

Another great way to get him to be thankful of what he has is set rules if you haven't already. Discipline him at a young age and he will thank you later in life. People say spankings are bad, but they are not as long as you do it properly. Follow up with what you tell him, do not make threats because then it turns into a joke. I know some kids who were not spanked properly and now spanking is a total joke to them at 10 years +. They have no respect for their parents and throw tantrums along with demanding things. Don't let your kid do this. If he does something wrong (like hit you or another kid), tell him "Don't hit people because it is not nice and it hurts! Next time I will spank your bum!" If he does it again, pat him hard enough that he feels it but not hard enough that it hurts. He'll get the message.

I think if you are as concerned as you are, then you don't have a lot to worry about. Limit his amount of toys in a year, maybe get him books instead of so many toys.

Everyone has given you great advice!! :)

Answer 3

i assume your 2 year old is an only child?
this is a normal occurance with most moms and dads. your son is only 2, and the odds of him becoming a brat are slim now that you've realized the spoiling. I spoiled my son until i realized there's no room for anything but HIS stuff in our home! He is not a brat either, and he is 4. After her turned 2, i started cutting down on the excessive gift buying though, we couldn't afford it. Now it's a treat to go to the store and get a toy or book, or to go to mcdonalds. we do it as rewards, and sometimes... ONLY sometimes just because.

Answer 4

We go through this with all 3 of ours and I know it is frustrating when I look and see what all they have so we started a campaign about two years ago. Twice a year ( right before their birthday and right before x-mas) they go through all of their toys and pick out the ones that mean the most to them and I set a limit on them, I go through their cloths and take out what they don't wear, don't like and doesn't fit we load all of it in the truck and THEY take it and donate it to the area childrens homes and the hospital pediatric unit. Then when x-mas and their birthday rolls around they get to start all over again. It has really helped the kids to see how fortunate they are and how a lot of kids don't have so much as one toy and they respect what they are givin as well. This year my oldest put on the invitations to her party that instead of gifts to please make a donation to the area childrens home because she had all she needed, this was a girl turning 14. Your son won't be a brat unless you let him think that you owe him this stuff and if he sees for himself that others aren't as fortunate it goes along ways.

Answer 5

Being blessed and having things doesn't make a child spoiled or ungrateful, it's also in what he is taught and what type of attitude he grows up with. You don't have to give him everything he wants, but always teach him and remind him to be grateful for what he has.
When he's old enough to understand make sure he learns about sharing and that not everyone is lucky enough to have what he has. Perhaps make a habit of regularly donating toys to less priviledged kids, and make sure your son participates. At Christmas time, wrap up gifts for the Angeltree kids, or Toys For Tots, or even your local church. Let him see that it can be as much fun to give as to receive.

Answer 6

i have three children and they have tons of stuff but they take care of there toys so i don't think they are getting spoiled, they also have responsibilties in the house to teach them that they have to work for things. but twice a year when the kids are not home i clean house and donate unplayed with toys and i do it when they are not home because they never even realize they are missing...they are 5, 3 , and a newborn so i won't worry about it.

Answer 7

You are the mother. You decide whether he has enough or more than enough on toys or clothings. You need to be in control. Set a limit on how often he can get new toys. How much would it be and base on what he's going to get a reward for. You cannot give him toy whenever he ask for it. Have to be firm sometime.
Good luck.

Answer 8

Make sure he takes care of all of his possessions. Do not let him disrespect anything you have bought for him. When he is older, make him earn new things. "If you get an A on your report card you can buy ______" Have a rule that in order to get something new, he needs to donate one of his older toys to a charity. Make sure he knows that a lot of children don't have any toys and he is very fortunate. He is going to pick up on your attitude regarding possessions so make sure it is a good one.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

My daughter is 2 and spoiled rotten! You should see x-mas and birhtdays at our house! The thing is that when we go to the store she rarely gets something. She definately doesn't get whatever she asks for and she is not allowed to misstreat the things she does have. You shouldn't feel bad for giving your son a lot, just stay in control of it! Make sure he appreciates it, if he doesn't take it away!

Answer 10

i think of the guy who could refer to them would be your husband that way they won't experience it quite is all approximately you !!! I had an analogous concern with my in-regulations yet my hubby refer to them and conform to no longer over injury them because of the fact thay will improve wanting all they choose and while ever they choose and it quite is not solid as for toys I what we've finished because they have now 8 grandchildren is to make an substitute present between the familly aunts, uncles, grand'ma , grand'pa mom , dad, and of direction the little ones that way grandma & grandppa won't injury any of the little ones and that they won't experience undesirable any wasy they purchase them extra provides to all many times clothing yet low-value yet i think of maximum grandprents are like this they are going to prefer to break they grandkids!!! solid success !!