If you have a television in your house, and if your child watches television and is able to talk, you are probably being inundated with your child’s requests for the amazing things being shown on television.  Remember, those companies pay people large salaries to create those ads your child is falling for.  They are well done.  They are accomplishing their goal.  But at what cost to you?            It actually helps if your child has gotten one of these must-have presents the last year that was supposed to be soooooo cool and soooooo amazing and it turned out to be different than the commercial.  You can remind your child of that this year.  “Things are not always as they seem.” Explain to your child that “wish lists” are just that, wishes and they do not all get filled.  They are for you (and Santa if he is part of your holiday season) to choose from.  They may remain wishes.  One thing my dad always used to say to me when I asked for things when I was growing up was, “Joanne, it’s always good to want things.” Meaning: it’s okay to want something just know you won’t always get it, but it’s something you can strive for and maybe earn it over time if you really still want it.I remember one year (and this is showing my age) I really wanted an 3-Speed English racer bicycle.  I really really wanted it. I was dreaming about riding that shiny black bike long before I got it. My dad patiently sat me down and told me he’d like to get it for me for my birthday but that we just couldn’t afford it and maybe I could help. I was about ten years old. How was I going to help?  But somehow, a few relatives gave me money for my birthday and I was able to chip in.  We went to the store together and bought the bike.  It was so thrilling!  I know I felt proud because I helped buy it.At the time, I hated when my father said, “Joanne it’s always good to want something.”  I hated hearing that because it usually meant I wasn’t going to get it.  And like every child, my wants felt so strong and so immediate, like I had to have whatever “it” was. Slowly, over time I realized that a lot of those things I really wanted, when I didn’t get them, and other friends did, I often wasn’t as impressed as I thought I’d be, and it was really “okay” not to have it. Or, if I got a less expensive off brand that worked as well, I learned the benefit of shopping for value rather than name brand, and sometimes I learned, when I did not get the item in any way shape or form, that the desire went away and life was really okay without having that “thing” I had wanted so much. Another lesson was that my taste changed and sometimes a short time later I didn’t even want “it” anymore.  That one line taught me so many things.  It’s one of the lines I have chosen to repeat with my child only with a longer explanation than the one I received. He still doesn’t like hearing it but hopefully he’s learning some of the same valuable lessons I learned.