Jenn, thanks for all the tips! Sounds like good advice, I’ll have to try them out.

#1-I’m a stay at home mom, but I talk about the fact that the reason that Papa (which is what we call the hubby) goes to work is to make money so we can pay for things like food and the house, gas for the car and the things we buy at the store. Not constantly or anything, but just mention it occasionaly. I am trying to teach them the idea that someone must work for the things that we have.

#2-Purposely make sure they don’t get everything they want for their birthdays and Christmas. I just want them to understand they you don’t automatically get everything you want. Our children are by no means abused-they get lots and lots of toys, but I don’t want them to think that every want is a need and will automatically be given to them.

#3-We usually watch TV that doesn’t have commercials with the kids (ie videos, PBS or Disney-Nickelodian has commericals!) This does cut down on the “gimmies” or material wants, at least until they hit school age. But when we do happen to have something on that shows a commercial I try to discuss with my 5 year old how the commercial is trying to make you want to buy something. She’s a pretty smart cookie (not that I’m biased or anything) and now when she sees commercials she always tries to tell me what they are trying to sell to her, like it is a game! When she is older, this will lead hopefully into discussions of wether things are as cool as they are made to appear in advertising, and if they are really worth your hard earned money.

#4-We actually have a store in town that still has penny candy. We go in occasionally and each child is given 5 pennies. They can pick out 5 pieces of penny candy, or one piece of the more expensive nickle candy. If they pick out 6 pieces of penny candy, I make them put one back. I am trying to teach them that money has a certain value, and when the items you want exceeds that value you have to make choices.

That’s just what I’m doing with my very young kids.