Need It or Want It?

What they’ll learn

Three things they’ll come away with.

• The difference between a need (you can't really do without it) and a want (you'd like it, but life still works without).
• That deciding whether something is a need or a want can be tricky (a bicycle, a helmet, a school uniform) and that being unsure is completely normal.
• The 3-day rule: when you really want something, wait three days. If you still want it, it's a real want.

Talk about it

Open questions that work.

• “What's something you used to really want, but don't anymore?”
• “Is a bicycle a need or a want? What about a helmet?”
• “What would you do with 5 coins at the market?”

Try one thing this week

Pick one small thing.

Next time your child asks for something at the shop, try the 3-day rule. Don't say no. Don't lecture. Just say: “Let's wait three days. If you still want it then, we'll talk about it.” Most things don't pass the test. The ones that do, do.