unlimited access

guilt.. kids may not wield much individual spending power but they make up for it with "Pleaseeeeee MOMMYYYYYY" and especially when they dont feel good. oh your dont feel good, ok here have yet another popcicle to make your throat feel better. But this will make me feel better, so you buy it knowing that it really wont but it will get them to stop complaining for a while. And that breif piece of mind is really what you are paying for.

So how limited is the unlimited access we let our kids have? And more importantly what is the criteria... exactly. From personal experience of the last 3 days, If the kids didnt have fevers there would be no way i would allow Popsicle before afternoon naps. yet sick, they can get away with it, i tell myself that it makes them feel better and the cold of the Popsicle acts as a numbing agent. this also goes for getting them something at the store. most days i dont care how they carry on if its not food we need we dont get it. yet, sick both kids can get a sprite (to settle there stomachs of course) or a small actiivty book to keep them occupied because they are to tired and sick to run around.

Then there is the medicine how much will you give just to get them to take some OTC to make them feel better. Really kids are learning how to be great buisness people, or used car sells people. Bartering everything they can when they are sick, knowing mom DOES NOT play these same games when they are better.