Gift giving is an age old tradition as well as a reciprocal social courtesy that will be expected of your teen when he or she becomes an adult. It is in their best long term interest to start learning NOW how to budget and save part of their earned money or allowance for gifts.
If their earnings are small, they could take the time to make their own gifts. Personally, I think children of any age should make gifts instead of buying them, because it helps them understand the meaning behind gift giving. When children make gifts, they have an emotional investment in the gift, and they take time to think about their relationship with the person who will receive it.
Remember that it is typical for a teen to be ecstatic about being able to spend his or her own money on âtheir stuff.â Making choices about how that money will be spent, even poor choices, is an important life skill, but so is gift giving. If they do not want to make gifts, they will need help making a budget for buying them.
Young teens are notorious for poor memory about things that do not particularly involve them. Remind your child early and often of the occasions gifts are expected. Planning ahead is another important life skill.
One more thing…Whenever they receive a gift from someone else, PLEASE be sure that they call or write a note to thank the giver! It is extremely rude not to do so; far too many of today`s children do not have this hallmark of good manners, and it`s a parent`s responsibility to teach them this habit.
Evelyn Petersen’s nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country.Evelyn Petersen’s nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country. You can read more from Evelyn at her web site: www.askevelyn.com
