This is Ask Lisa, a podcast to help people understand the psychology of parenting, now in the midst of a pandemic.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa DeMore, author of two New York Times best-selling parenting books, takes your questions.

And I'm co-host, Rina Ninan, a journalist and mom of two.

Some of what we talk about comes from raising children ourselves. Most of the time, I'll be getting

answers to your parenting questions. So send your questions to Ask Lisa at Dr.Lisademore.com.

Episode 55.

How do I keep my kids grounded in a materialistic world?

Oh, a holiday season is coming.

I already have the Amazon catalog circled by two little kids of everything they want.

You get an Amazon catalog?

There's a catalog. Clearly, Amazon knows me well and our purchasing power, and it gives you all the toys that you should be purchasing.

Okay. I really hope they never figure out how to get a catalog.

But, you know, especially this time of year, I think everyone's struggling year-round, but particularly

now, about how you keep your kids grounded. We got this letter. Dear Lisa, I live in an affluent

community and raising my teen girl among so much privilege is proving to be tough. It's normal for my

daughter, who's almost 13, to hear that her friends take expensive trips, have nice

stuff, and purchase luxury brand goods. I'm in a constant struggle with her wanting to buy the

expensive things she sees her friends have and me not agreeing. Since I tell her I won't spend that

money on those things, she says she can buy it with the money that she's earned working and has

saved. Although I honor the fact of being able to the money that she's earned working and has saved.

Although I honor the fact of being able to pay for something she's worked for,

I also disapprove of her spending $500 on sneakers, for example, because of what it represents.

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