Any advice here???
The new problem of the week......
There are some things that Christina just has never gotten into that many little kids (girls) usually do.
She "likes" barbies, but doesn't LOVE them.
She "liked" Polly Pockets, but never LOVED them.
She "liked" her Webkinz, but never LOVED it.
She "liked" her Nintendo DS and the 6 different games she had, but she never LOVED it.
All of these things were toys she would play with for very short periods of time, but most of the time, she really didn't care about them.
What she does LOVE and play for hours are crafts, dancing, playing school and just being goofy and running around with friends.
And I know, all kids are different so this isn't something unusual.
But it has recently been causing a problem because Kallie has been quite a different child.
She LOVES Barbies.
She LOVES Polly Pockets.
And she LOVES Christina's Nintendo.
She will play with all these things for hours on end.
Kallie seems to march to her own drum. She plays with what she wants, when she wants. She doesn't care if anyone else will play with her, she doesn't care if there are a bunch of kids over playing something else, if she wants to play "Barbie House" she will play.
Now Christina is the type who is greatly influenced by others (yes, this scares me). If she visits a friend who loves barbies, she will suddenly LOVE barbies. Although a few days later, the love quickly dies and she goes back to playing with the stuff she really loves.
OK, long story short (too late I know), since Kallie has discovered the Nintendo (and the Princess game) Christina has suddenly decided she LOVES her Nintendo. So mom (me) has the problem of trying to keep 2 kids, who want the same toy, happy. But, my frustrations lie in the fact that the reason Christina wants the Nintendo is only because Kallie loves it now.
So, what do I do????
One option is to just keep enforcing the "take turns" options which, when you are talking about a 3 and 7 year old, usually also means lots of fighting and tears.
Another option is to buy another Nintendo so they each have one. However, at about $100 a pop, it seems like a lot of money to avoid fighting. And, if I bought another, although I am pretty sure Kallie would get lots of use out of it, I am thinking the thrill of the Nintendo would quickly die for Christina.
Hmmm.......I don't know...I am SOOOO tired of the fighting, but so not ready to just give in and buy toys to keep kids happy. Although, as I type this, I think that if I did buy another that ended up not being used, I am sure it would be an easy thing to sell and recoup most of the money.
I know, this is a small problem in the scope of all the problems in this world, but I have a headache and I really just want some peace in this house.
Anyone???
6 visitors to our world:
I personally would not buy another Nintendo because if you do, what will you do the next time when it's something different. I would use a timer and let them know when the timer goes off they must stop without a fight or they miss a turn. I remember how frustrating these times were for me. Hang in there.
Hugs!
Kat
Yikes. Good luck, Irene. I don't envy you. We have toys that both the wee ones want to play with, but luckily they tend to not be the mutually exclusive ones. Where we get into arguments, I have them try to resolve it, and if they can't, I take the item away for the day... but that's just me. I'd be loathe to buy another Nintendo, but we have no video games in our house at all -- and I know I'm in the minority on that one.
Ooooh, tough one. Our boys are 2 years apart. Brad's birthday is in March, Jake's in April. For years it seemed that whatever Brad got for his birthday, Jake would get for his the next month. A part of me thinks that no matter how much or how little Christina uses her toys, they are hers. It's understandable that it upsets her to have Kallie take them whenever she wants without permission. However, you make a very valid point about spending money needlessly and teaching the kids important values. I guess I don't really have a real answer either. I hope the right answer reveals itself soon.
If my kids can't work it out, I take whatever it is they are fighting over away for the day. For the most part, they work it out.
Just three more weeks to go until spring...
We have that happen around here. MA has games she doesn't play anymore but she won't let Diva play them. It's so frustrating. I don't know what the solution is. I don't think I would buy another Nintendo. Hopefully Christina will get bored soon and the fighting will stop. Sorry I don't seem to have a suggestions for you. Just wanted to let you know I feel your pain!
My thoughts are along the lines of the first commenter. I think there is great value in both learning to share, and learning to work together without the help of mom. They are old enough to understand consequenses.
I'd go with the timer, and if there is crying and complaining, they lose a turn. if both cry or complain it is gone for the day. They will figure it out eventually.
hard work now, but big payoff in the end.
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