Thursday, January 15, 2015

Ever been shopping with kids who have the Gimmes?

If you have kids, you know what I'm talking about.  You go to a store with your child (mine happens to be 6 years old) and as soon as you enter the store you hear: "Can we go to the toy section?"

So you negotiate with your child, agreeing that you'll head over to the toy section after you pick up things you actually came to buy, you know, like soap, toilet paper, laundry detergent, cereal.  You make up a game where your child gets to keep track of things on the list to keep him distracted, and maybe you even let him pick up something at the front of the store to "play with while in the store but not buy."  You pick up all the essentials (no time to just browse), and head over to the toy section.

Your child, who knows he's only supposed to browse, is not going to actually buy anything, just wants to look... suddenly turns into "The Gimme Monster":  "Can we buy it? Please?! Why not? But I want it! Please? It's not fair.  We never get to buy anything."  Sound familiar?


Chances are, you've tried one or more of these strategies (I know I have!):

OPTION 1
He's getting greedy, I'm just going to say no and we're going to leave.  There will probably be a tantrum and tears, but he needs to learn his lesson.

OPTION 2
I don't have time for this, I'll just let him pick something small and deal with it later.

OPTION3
This is a teachable moment.  I'll tell him how lucky he is to have what he already has, and explain that there are other kids in the world who aren't as lucky as him, so he should be happy with what he has.

These all work to some extent, but my favourite secret weapon is using the Smoopa app while shopping with him.  Here's how it goes down:
  1. Your kid identifies something that he really really wants
  2. You tell your kid that you need to check to see if it's a good price
  3. You pull up the Smoopa app on your smartphone, scan the barcode, enter the price at the store and get a recommendation:

Next, you do this:
  • If it's too expensive you explain, "This is kind of expensive. It's been cheaper in the past" and you set a price alert to get notified when the price drops to your desired price. RESULT: You teach your child about price consciousness and delayed gratification.
  • If it's a good price but you don't want to buy it you say, "It's a good price, but you don't really need it right now.  How about we add it to your birthday list?" and then add it to a collection in Smoopa. RESULT: You teach your child it's ok to want things, but there needs to be a special occasion.  You can even share the Smoopa collection with family and friends when the special occasion comes around so they know what he'll like.
  • If you receive an offer from Smoopa, it means you've discovered a good deal and Smoopa is rewarding you for that.  You might actually want to buy the item but put it in a prize box for your child to earn as a reward. RESULT: You earn a little cash back!
Of course, there's a good chance that your child wants to buy something you really really don't want him to have.  If reasoning with him doesn't work, you can add to it a special collection with a code name, so you can say that you've added it to a list.  Chances are he'll have forgotten about it by the time his birthday comes around anyway!

- Archana Sehgal, Head of User Experience at Smoopa, currently collecting to Toys Stash list

28 comments:

  1. It will be easier for you to identify the blog websites and posts you need to tweak if have been using statistics count tools providing visits and traffic details.  Buy At Fire Sale

    ReplyDelete
  2. Book an accomplished youngsters' entertainer or scene which gives a type of entertainment (experience play ground, bouncy houses and so forth) Try not to have an excessive amount of entertainment on offer however as this can be overpowering, pick one every year.rent party characters in San Antonio

    ReplyDelete
  3. Download your favorite Latest Mp3 Lyrics that are available in English, Hindi, Bangla, Telugu, Latin, Arabic, Russian, etc.

    Click Here

    Click Here

    Click Here

    Click Here

    Click Here

    ReplyDelete
  4. Its a really interesting and informative article for me. I appreciate your work and skills. last night in soho outfits

    ReplyDelete

  5. شركة مكافحة حشرات بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالمدينة المنورة لا يصعب عليها مهام التخلص النهائي من الفئران والصراصير والبراغيث والعقارب والأبراص وخاصة إذا كانت مساحة المنزل كبيرة أو في أماكن عامة مثل الحدائق أو المطاعم فإن هذا أكثر سهولة ودقة لذا يرجى الاستعانة بنا في الحال على الرقم الخاص مع شركة مكافحة حشرات بالمدينة المنورة لكي لا تتسبب في نقل الجراثيم والبكتيريا لتساعدك في التخلص منها .
    _____________________
    شركة تنظيف بالمدينة المنورة
    تقدم شركة تنظيف بالمدينة المنورة خدمة متميزة على مدار اليوم لإتمام تلك المهمة مع فريق عمل احترافي فقط تواصل مع الشركة لتقدم لكم العديد من المميزات المختلفة التي تتمثل بتنظيف كل الأماكن المختلفة بالاعتماد على الطرق المتنوعة للتنظيف خاصة بالبخار مع الوصول لكم بالوقت المحدد وإتمام المهمة بأسرع وقت دون تضييع وهدر للوقت ويتم التعامل مع حضراتكم من خلال أسعار منخفضة ومناسبة لأننا الأفضل.
    _______
    شركات نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة
    تسعير شركة نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة مناسب لكافة العملاء لذا تواصل مع خدمة العملاء وسوف يرد عليكم موظفون طوال اليوم للرد مع أسئلتك ثم توفير معلومات لكم عن طرق تنفيذ نقل العفش حيث تحتفظ شركة نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة بقدراتها المتعددة وتحقيق عمليات نقل آمنة مع حلول مبتكرة لتحديات النقل سواء طول المسافات أو حجم العفش بمعدات متخصصة.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do you need to purchase custom writing services? Order assignment papers is the most popular type of paper among college students. When you want to purchase custom essays, you may ask yourself questions such as “Are these companies legit?” and “Are they safe?”

    ReplyDelete
  7. بما في ذلك القدرة على قطع المواد الرقيقة والقدرة على اللحام والقطع عند اختيار ماكينات تقطيع ولحام بالليزر من المهم مراعاة الاحتياجات المحددة لتطبيقك تشمل العوامل التي يجب مراعاتها نوع المادة وسمكها وسرعتها ودقتها.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The content was really very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, What a earched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. 먹폴

    ReplyDelete
  10. I now read your blog every day! I was particularly moved by the post's discussion of the highlighted issue. Your capacity to engage with your audience is evident. I look forward to additional explanations! Continue your excellent work! I anticipate reading more interesting content from you.

    abogado de divorcio sin oposición playa de virginia

    ReplyDelete

  11. It’s always a pleasure to read your magnificent articles on this site.
    Abogado Divorcio Fairfax VA Consulta Gratuita

    ReplyDelete

  12. In the intricate realm of white-collar crime, people and companies in New Jersey accused of wire fraud need the experience of an experienced attorney. Diligence, legal knowledge, and a dedication to protecting clients from the harsh repercussions of wire fraud accusations are the guiding principles of a knowledgeable New Jersey wire fraud attorney.new jersey wire fraud lawyer

    ReplyDelete

  13. Taming the "Gimme Monster" is a real challenge! Love the Smoopa app strategy—smart way to teach price awareness and delayed gratification. Turning shopping into a valuable life lesson
    Careless Driving Ticket New Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  14. Como Abogado de Fraude Fiscal, mi compromiso es proteger sus derechos y proporcionar representación legal sólida. Con experiencia en asuntos fiscales, ofrezco orientación estratégica para enfrentar las complejidades legales. Confía en mí para abogar por una resolución favorable en casos de fraude fiscal.

    ReplyDelete
  15. "What a clever way to navigate the 'Gimme Monster' situations with kids!
    How Much Does Divorce Cost New York

    ReplyDelete
  16. Always interesting to read blogs on kids. This blog also too good to read. Good work by the author. Keep posting more good blogs. Fairfax DUI Lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  17. Shopping with kids and battling the 'Gimmes' is a real struggle! Negotiations, distractions, and teaching moments - we've all been there. The Smoopa app sounds like a game-changer
    Driving Without a License in NJ

    ReplyDelete
  18. If you're in urgent need of bankruptcy assistance, search for nearby lawyers now.   Bankruptcy lawyers near me now Experienced professionals are ready to provide immediate guidance, bankruptcy lawyers near me now helping you navigate the complexities of financial challenges.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It is crucial to locate a strong advocate who will tenaciously fight for your rights in the complex world of criminal law. You need look no farther than our devoted group of criminal defence attorneys in Fairfax, Virginia; what makes us unique is our dedication to justice.Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fairfax VA

    ReplyDelete
  20. how to file for uncontested divorce in virginia
    The text aims to provide a light-hearted perspective on parenting by capturing the relatable and humorous experience of shopping with kids and the inevitable onset of Gimmes. It shares personal anecdotes and highlights the challenges parents face when navigating stores with children with Gimmes. The piece offers practical tips and humorous anecdotes to help parents handle Gimmes, with quotes from parenting experts added for credibility. The playful tone is infused throughout the narrative, ensuring resonance with parents who can empathize with the Gimmes phenomenon. The text concludes by reinforcing that these moments are part of the parenting journey, fostering connection and understanding among readers.

    ReplyDelete