Did anybody else’s parents (or at least one of them) teach them the “Wait and see if you want it?” rule?
Basically, when I was a kid and I wanted something in a store that my dad didn’t want to buy me- BUT wasn’t also a high-end super expensive thing like a video game console that I’d undoubtedly want for a long period of time - he would refuse with the possibility of caving in later... but only if, by the next time we visited the store, I still wanted it.
For example, I’d see a cool limited edition flavor of breakfast cereal that my dad personally thinks sounds disgusting. He’d say, “Let’s not get it today, but if you still want it after a few days, then I’ll pick it up.”
At the time, of course, I’d be grumpy. But lo and behold, next time we visited the store, I’d see that cereal and think, “Oh yeah... I forgot all about it after a few hours. Honestly, I don’t really care about it too much.” Or I’d spot a new limited edition breakfast cereal and try to get THAT one, and if my dad thought it sounded gross, the cycle would begin anew.
Sometimes, though, I WOULD still want a thing, and if it really wasn’t that expensive or a waste if I didn’t finish/use it, my dad would be true to his word, which made the lesson all the more effective. As much as it gave me later purchase indecisiveness (hemming and hawing over if I really NEED something or if I just want it and will be tired of it), I do think it benefited me overall.
For example, recently I visited the Edinburgh zoo and saw these pandas wearing tartan clothing:
which of course I IMMEDIATELY wanted. But I decided to hold back because I’ve got other purchases to make right now, and honestly, how badly do I want it?
... The answer, as it turns out, was “very badly”, as four days later, I bought one online.
Would I have paid almost 5 pounds less if I had gotten it at the gift shop? Yes.
Is the satisfaction that I truly wanted this toy enough worth the additional expense? I sure hope so.
Natasha *with her cold Black Widow look*: So what you‘re saying is my son James has a tendency to chat with his friends during lessons too much and doesn’t always focus enough on his studies and is just lucky that he‘s really smart?
Teacher *starting to sweat*: Well,… Well, I mean…You know…
Natasha *suddenly smiling warmly*: Oh, I absolutely agree. Now how can we cooperate so that James will start to improve his behavior?