Running The gift shop gauntlet!!

I can't quite make out if you and your daughter give way or not!

Stick to your guns. If you have to walk through the gift shop say firmly, "You can't have anything from the gift shop."

Yes, the dear little girl will through a tantrum, but no child has ever gone on doing so, once she has realised that she doesn't get her way by shouting, crying, screaming etc.

Yes, it is embarrassing and exhausting.

The other thing your daughter and her husband and you might want to consider is dropping any place that has a gift shop, or has one you HAVE TO WALK THROUGH. I am sure you can find pleasant places to visit where there is not a gift shop.

IF your granddaughter asks why you no longer go to the Zoo, museum etc where there is a gift shop, the answer is simple: "We don't go there because you misbehave when we do. You behave like a baby, even although you know you cannot have things from the gift shop. We can start going again, when you are old enough to do as you are told."

Or pay shorter visits so everyone isn't tired and grumpy on the way to the exit.

I have problems that way myself.
I find it hard to believe that if I do not buy the NT pot pourri/lavender furniture wax/ tea towel/ Harris tweed throw/canvas shopping bag or indeed waxed jacket , my lifestyle will not immediately be transformed into that of Lady ffotherinhay-Smithers and my but n ben into an Adam mansion.
Hope springs eternal.

Yes, but you need to buy the whole caboodle MayBeMaw, not just one item!

I must admit I did a big sulk in the Galimard perfume museum gift shop in Grasse until my DH gave in to my buying half a dozen gifts!

No- one thing will do!

I have 7 grandchildren and have looked after then all pre going to school,after school,sick days etc.I had treat days once a month for them go to a park or IMAX,Museum,Art Gallery,feed ducks,go out for tea party,then go to the book store or dollar store and they were allowed to choose something,we all went home happy then planned our next months trip.

There are a lot of “perfect parents/grandparents “ on here…..

?

There certainly are Lucca!?? I wish I was like them, but maybe a bit less smug ??. My DD is not averse to picking up her DC and carting her screaming out of a gift shop. Though, as she says, it certainly spoils any day and is very embarrassing! And my DGD can keep up the crying long after the venue has been left. My view of giftshop treats has been rather skewed by events of exactly three years ago this week. We had our DGD once a fortnight for a full day, then a sleepover before taking her to nursery the next morning. She was almost 3 . We had taken her to the zoo. By the time to go home we were all tired and I was a bit ratty. She wanted to go in the gift shop but I said no. On the way home our car was hit by a truck and we ended upside down in the fast lane of the M6. The police said it was because we were in an ancient Volvo that the three of us got out totally unscathed physically. But for months after I blamed myself. If we had gone to the gift shop , we wouldn't have been on that bit of road at that time. So I now see spending money in gift shops as my reward for having a DGD to spend money on! But I will definitely play shop this weekend and next time we go out, give her her own money!!

TBH the gift shops were the highlight of Gdcs’ visits when staying with us in the summer holidays. At 5 and 6 their interest in e.g. the Tower of London was somewhat limited (we didn’t take them inside) but Gds’ joy in his plastic battleaxe was unbounded. £4.99, and TBH, given the price of most plastic tat in gift shops I’d been fully prepared to say no, until I saw the price - I was expecting a tenner at least.

Ditto Gdd with 3 lip balms in ‘sailor’ cases from the HMS Victory shop.
And dare I confess that at the end of a trip to Legoland for Gds’ birthday, I gave them a tenner each to spend in the shop, plus ditto for a little friend who doesn’t get many treats, who dd had included for the day.

The way I see it, it won’t be too long before all they want to do is be glued to their phones, and anything they want from shops will very likely cost £££.

Lizbethann, what a terrifying experience for you !

I have a few reservations as to Johnny GC

Don't ask! as to how my GC are reared but I do enjoy the results. One thing I love is that when I say a straight no to a request it neither results in grumpiness or tantrum. Wonderful. Must say I never had that much success with my own children.

It is best to establish that you don’t buy things in the gift shop in the first place. I would give them pocket money each week (a small amount) and then it is up to them if they buy something or not.

Well I find the gift shops useful, I say if we don’t hurry up and get out of here, the gift shop will be shut, that gets them moving.
Of course they vary massively, farm parks are easy, nothing much they really want, but for any of you who have been to Peppa Pig World, that’s a totally different experience, people are going out laden with toys, so you don’t get out of there without spending money.
National Trust shops aren’t too bad, you can normally get away with a book or game, I always budget it into the day out.

Kim19

I have a few reservations as to Johnny GC

.??

A thought just struck me, rather evil,
I quite enjoy indulging theGC at times in the knowledge that my ex, their grandfather, would never have allowed it, being as he was, closely related to Scrooge,

We walk really fast and talk loudly and urgently at the kids so by the time they’ve noticed the gift shop we’re out and free!!!

I wouldn't be making any 'deals' with a five year old. When we were taking our own DC to these places the gift shop wasn't an option and DH took them to the car. I did look around and if there was something suitable I would buy a small gift for the three DC. When they were little it was a badge (we pinned them on the bedroom curtains) or a postcard or two for their album. That was enough along with any photos. When they got a bit older and wanted to collect keyrings I would buy those. I could never see the point of buying plastic tat, rubbers, pencils. They did get to do that on school trips.

We occasionally take the DGC to the zoo or a playfarm and we do let them look around the shop. We do buy a small gift. No soft toys or anything the parents wouldn't want, and we don't spend a lot. We are the grandparents now so we can treat them.

You can never have too many pencils

Discipline does start early. No means no.
We have a Red missionary charity box at home and the children like to put money in that for the children who can’t afford toys. It works here.
Good luck with discipline, but it starts with the adults being focused and saying ‘no’

Callistemon
Or rubbers!

Discipline does start early. No means no.

No should mean no under certain circumstances. As I used to say "Exactly what part of NO don't you understand?"

However, learning to handle their own money should start early too. Having pocket money to spend and knowing their purchases will be limited as a result is a very valuable tool.

Positive, not negative, parenting and grandparenting can result in far less confrontation.

Sara1954

Callistemon
Or rubbers!

Or fridge magnets!

Calendar, anyone?

Callistemon
Or a mug/notebook/pen with their name on, only of course if it’s a fairly common name.

Callistemon

^Discipline does start early. No means no.^

No should mean no under certain circumstances. As I used to say "Exactly what part of NO don't you understand?"

However, learning to handle their own money should start early too. Having pocket money to spend and knowing their purchases will be limited as a result is a very valuable tool.

Positive, not negative, parenting and grandparenting can result in far less confrontation.

Absolutely.