Well Wrapped Instant Gratification Under the Tree?

We're looking for a good Patch parent.

Looking for someone to offer wisdom in our comments about coping with a child who has the greedy "gimmes" — the child who laps up media and cultural expectations of holiday gifts and goodies galore. That child whose eyes grow large watching the parcels of well wrapped instant gratification under the tree.

I have a twenty-something friend who was 8 years old when she asked and asked and demanded and pleaded for the latest remote control car. Her mom snapped and said, "Santa isn't real. And we don't have any money."

I like U.C. Berkeley sociologist Christine Carter's story, too: "My daughter was in the back of the car rattling off all the things she wanted for Christmas, excitedly, as though it were a done deal and she would soon be receiving everything she ever hoped for. And I was anxiously trying to do damage control: Santa only brings one toy (“Nah-ah, Mom, he brought Ella THREE last year!!”); Santa can’t bring live animals (she passionately wanted a live llama); if your grandparents get you Uggs instead of Payless knock-offs, you won’t get any other presents from them (economic logic lost on a 7-year-old).

"I thought I was going to lose my mind. I’d been trying to create special holiday traditions that foster positive emotions like gratitude and altruism—traditions that would bring meaning, connection, and positive memories …"

You can read Carter's entire essay on this theme, titled "Are We Wired to Want Stuff?," on the Great Good Science Center website.

Don't forget sharing your parental wisdom in the comments below.