PAS: Gimme More!

My ex-wife's home is a miniature Disneyland. The kids get whatever they want, whenever they want it. As you can imagine, the kids see nothing wrong with this and when they come to my home they don't understand why they can't have everything.

My ex decided to pounce on this difference in parenting styles and began buying things like new animals and favorite toys for them either the day they were supposed to come to my home, or while they were already with me. The kids of course didn't want to come to my house anymore, they needed to take care of their new fish, dog, bird, whatever. My oldest son actually threw a tantrum one exchange because he wanted to be home to get a package that was supposed to come in the mail. My choices at that point were to drag him out of the car (in a crowded rest area) or let him have his way.

Not only is all of this behavior alienating me from my children, it's teaching them that love is bought. Great lesson for kids...

~CR

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