The Difference Between a Wish List and an Order Form

My ten-year-old daughter always wants to have everything her friends have and gets really upset if they seem to have more (or even better) things than she does. How do I handle this?

Your daughter is simply responding to those all-powerful consumer marketing pitches—pitches that are designed to leave her feeling dissatisfied with what she has and hungry for more. After all, that's what keeps the economy chugging along.

And while there's nothing wrong with wanting new things, kids (and adults) can find themselves caught in a vicious cycle if they never stop to enjoy what they have because they're constantly craving something more. That's why it's so important to teach this lesson to our kids before they find themselves permanently stuck on the dissatisfaction treadmill.

Because the holiday season tends to be a time of year when the desire for what the other guy (or gal) has can get out of control, you might want to suggest that your daughter and her friends avoid comparing gifts. Suggest that the kids hit the skating rink or take in a movie. That way, they'll be able to focus on enjoying one another's company rather than worrying about who scored the coolest gadgets—and who should be nagging their parents for which even cooler gadget, starting right now.

Wouldn't it be nice to at least get through the holiday season before your daughter starts working on next year's wish list?