DEAR ABBY: My children think that "because their friends can" they should be able to get, buy or do something. I encounter this problem often, especially when it's bedtime.
My children are 10 and 13, and they need to learn to appreciate the good parents they have because we don't give in to all of their requests. Abby, any suggestions that may help us with this situation would be appreciated. -- GOOD PARENTS IN WOODSTOCK, ILL.
DEAR GOOD PARENTS: At 10 and 13, your children are old enough to understand the concept that not all families are alike. Because a friend of theirs enjoys a privilege or has something they don't have does not mean that your children must.
I wish you had been more specific about the problem that occurs at bedtime. If they are arguing about the hour, they need to understand that for them to perform well in school they need a solid night's sleep. It is well-known that sleep-deprived kids can't learn.
If your children are asking for "things," then let me remind you that parents who grant a child's every wish fail to teach that child one of life's most important lessons: how to cope with disappointment. So please don't feel guilty about drawing the line, or asking your children how they plan to earn whatever it is they're asking for.