How to stop your children pushing you over budget
WHEN parents are feeling under pressure to keep kids entertained and occupied, it’s tempting just to say yes to any request they may make. But with budgets tight for many families, requests for new toys and gadgets may also be adding to the financial strain some parents are under right now.
For those who don’t want to upset their child by saying no, or maybe just don’t want to face a tantrum, help is at hand. Tony Hughes, chief executive at sales and negotiations experts Huthwaite International, has some tips developed in the business field that may also be applied to parenting:
1. Don’t start negotiating too early. Parents will start saying: “If you do that, maybe next week you can have...” whatever it is. The trouble is that children don’t always understand the word “maybe”.
2. Avoid agreeing on issues in small stages. If you have made gradual concessions, you will have nothing left to bargain with.
3. Don’t always just give in. Talk about trade-offs and compromise. Children may earn rewards for good behaviour or doing household chores, for example.
4. Parents on a tight budget may be worried about seeming inflexible. It may be helpful to think about the least amount of money you’d be willing to spend on something during this period – and the most you can afford to spend. Have a target figure somewhere within the upper and lower range. This will allow you a bit of room to alter the amount slightly, and help you stay on top of spending.
5. Treats don’t always need to involve spending money – but they can still be hugely rewarding for children.
For example, you could put on a special ‘movie afternoon’ in your living room with a film and your child’s favourite snacks.
6. Logic doesn’t always win an argument. Avoid giving long chains of reasons for saying “no” to something. If you must decline a request, try to be firm by giving a single strong reason.