~The "I want it" monster~

This week has been bit of a hard week for Caleb. Only now that I am at this stage again, can I really remember the girls going through it as well. Caleb is going through the "I want it" stage. I am sure that many of you reading this can relate! And really at this time of year when everything is geared towards children and their parents, it is kind of understandable.
However, lately he wants everything! It is getting hard to take him anywhere with me because he inevitably wants me to buy him something. Short of me not taking him anywhere (which is not an option!) we had to sit down with him today and have what I call "the need, want and have" talk.
I remember also having these talks with the girls every few months between the ages of 5-8 yrs old.
I explained to Caleb that he will always have what he needs. As his parents we will always provide him with unconditional love. As he grows we will provide him with food, a warm bed and clothes, he will never have to want or need these things.
Next, I explain to him that we all have wants of material things (for him of course his want is toys!). I explained to him that even Mommy and Daddy have things that they want and don't always get. He is not always going to get what he wants and that is just a fact of life.
And lastly, I explain to him that he should appreciate and focus on what he already has. I told him that he has many books and toys and many other things that he does not play with nearly enough and he has to learn to appreciate that.
This may seem like a lot for a 5 year old to take in but I really do have to say that he did understand what I was saying to him. Like I said I had these same talks with the girls when they were younger. It's all about putting things into perspective for them.
I just hope that it's working...