Did you know that you don't owe your child an explanation about how you spend your money?
Children will often ask parents for items that parents find too expensive, too frivolous or too inappropriate for whatever reason. It's a typical interaction that could be found in any family as children attempt to get what they want and parents respond by setting limits. This situation can teach children the emotional muscle needed for coping with delayed gratification and it can also send the message that you say what you mean. Parents should be aware of not explaining their decision beyond a simple sentence or two – it's fine to share your values and reasons by saying things like "It's not something we can buy right now" or "I know you really like those dolls – I don't like the type of girl that they represent so I won't spend my money on them." If your child continues to try to persuade you to change your mind, simply state, "I won't argue with you about how I spend my money" and then change the subject.
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