Many mothers and fathers believe they are “failing as parents” if they are unable to provide state-of-the-art computer games, televisions and toys for sons and daughters, according to a leading headmaster.
In many cases, families also feel pressured to enrol children into “every conceivable club or after school activity that is available” to fill up their time, said Graham Gorton, chairman of the Independent Schools Association.
But he warned that the move risked undermining “precious family time”.
The comments come just weeks after a teachers’ leader claimed that middle-class parents were fuelling bad behaviour among their children by attempting to “buy” their affection with expensive gifts.

They should talk to my girlfriend, she tells her daughters, tough ****. Your friends have new computers? And? So what? You don't, full stop.

well done to your GF big_D

If I had children, they wouldnt be getting all the latest stuff, just because their friends have them. I would

I dont see a problem with treats or having must have items in some instances. The difference though is being educated about the value of said items and maybe even 'earning' them.

My dad bought my first PC for Xmas when I was 14. At the time it was unheard of where I lived for anyone to have a PC, let alone a 14 year old (and I'm not from a well off family either). But saying that, I was a good kid, did well in school, had discussions about it and even sold my Mega Drive and Mega CD to raise some funds to put towards it.

This just made me realise something - I have a nephew who is nearly two and he's very fond, if you're say eating a sandwich, of coming up to you and asking if he can have a bit. Everyone else just gives him a morsel to nibble on but I don't. With me, he already knows that if he wants a bit of my sandwich he's got to give me something in return. Doesn't have to be something of any value - he's got some monopoly money he plays with for example and it could be some of that - but nevertheless I'm the only person he knows who doesn't just give him things when he asks for them.

Storing up trouble there I think but it won't be my fault.

Jon

This just made me realise something - I have a nephew who is nearly two and he's very fond, if you're say eating a sandwich, of coming up to you and asking if he can have a bit. Everyone else just gives him a morsel to nibble on but I don't. With me, he already knows that if he wants a bit of my sandwich he's got to give me something in return. Doesn't have to be something of any value - he's got some monopoly money he plays with for example and it could be some of that - but nevertheless I'm the only person he knows who doesn't just give him things when he asks for them.

Storing up trouble there I think but it won't be my fault.

Jon

I don't like talking money in family.

Mine (aged four) just stares at you until you either say 'No, it's mine', or you cave in and give him whatever it is... The key for him is not saying anything in the first place