https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 17:45:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-this-and-i-want-that#post-1684377 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 09:48:01 +0000 Alivoo01 1684377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was at Target near this family where the lil boy was doing that. He kept saying "I need this or I need that". The mom kept telling him he didn't NEED it, and that he should say, "I like that" instead and told him to give it a try. He'd say "I like that" and the mom would praise and say, "I like that too", but he'd slip up after a few times and go back to saying "I need that". I was giggling to myself. Then the dad asked, "What if he truly NEEDS something???" LOL!!!</p> <p>They started walking away so I don't know what the final verdict was, but maybe you can try something like that?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-this-and-i-want-that#post-1684084 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:39:54 +0000 mamimami 1684084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Oh my gosh yes I can totally see something like that happening. It's bad enough to have him talking so loudly about everything he wants -- I feel embarrassed like I have not parented him to appreciate what he has. But I know that's stupid -- he's only 3 and doesn't understand all those high-minded concepts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-this-and-i-want-that#post-1684055 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:32:39 +0000 Anagram 1684055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: I think it's totally normal. It's just hard for you as the parent that this stage comes at a time where the littles also can't really modulate their voices, so there tends to be a lot of loud, public embarassments, haha.</p> <p>My neice was once begging for a little toy that was near the register at the super market and my in-laws said, "no, we don't have money for that". But then she started shouting out, "We don't have MONEY? WHY DON'T WE HAVE MONEY? WE NEVER HAVE MONEY...boohoohooohoo", which is kind of embarassing/funny. But my nephew who is 5 totally understand the idea of toys costing money and not getting stuff all the time, so your LO will get there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-this-and-i-want-that#post-1684039 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:28:24 +0000 mamimami 1684039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Good idea! Kind of reminds me of something Mr. Bee wrote once about negotiating eating sweets, and just trying to use the power of imagination.... Sometimes I'll be like, "Wow, wouldn't that be fun to have that?" but I've never taken it so far. What I really want is for him not to be materialistic but I think that's probably asking a bit much of a 3 y.o. hahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-this-and-i-want-that#post-1684016 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:23:19 +0000 Cole 1684016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say it's pretty normal. I have found that *usually* it helps if I offer to take a picture so I can remember for their birthday/Christmas/next gift occasion. </p> <p>The other tactic I like is the "magic wand" one, I tell them if I had a magic wand and could get whatever we all wanted I would get that for them and X for me and then ask what else they would wish for as we start to walk away. It doesn't always work but sometimes they get so excited about the limitless wish list that they have fun coming up with outlandish things like a pet elephant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-this-and-i-want-that#post-1683990 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:18:24 +0000 mamimami 1683990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you do about the "I wants"? </p> <p>My 3 y.o. son is such a lovely boy and we are anything from lenient parents to him. Still, he is constantly talking about all the things he wants (and I'm not referring to world peace here). </p> <p>When we go to the mall or the supermarket or any commercial establishment, and even when we're at home, he's saying he wants a batman and a robin, a ninja turtle with a green mask, xyz transformer rescuebot, you name it. </p> <p>He doesn't melt down when he doesn't get something -- I usually tell him that he could ask for that for his birthday/Christmas/whatever, or that he already has a lot of toys, or that maybe this summer we can get something when we go visit grandma, etc... </p> <p>But it's just so tiring constantly having this conversation, and I don't want him to be that kid who's always "I want"ing all over the place.</p> <p>Is this just a normal thing at this age? What can I do? </p>