Giving Children What They Want: Will We Ruin Them?
My daughter turns five this week, and a few friends have asked me for gift ideas. Though I remind them that gifts aren't necessary, I also share one or two of the items she's asked for over the past few months: a baby doll with a pacifier, Hello Kitty stick-on earrings, swim goggles, a two-wheeled scooter. I feel a little sheepish sharing these wishes--part of me is concerned that it makes her appear demanding, and another part of me fears that she might actually receive most or all of the items she wants. Surely that wouldn't be good for her character, right?
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