Mom Shares How Her Son Responded When She Said They Cannot Afford To Buy A Toy, 'Nakaka-Proud'

Indeed, just like the old TV show said, kids say the darndest things. Once they start talking in full sentences, or even cute phrases, they surprise us with the sweetest responses.

I remember my 2-year-old daughter telling me one time when I got a booboo, “Okay lang yan, Nay. You want ice pack?”  

I know that some of those she got from Cocomelon, but the gesture I know she got from people she’s around with most of the time, which is her Tatay and me. 
And the way they respond to us shows how we are doing as parents.

'Kuwentong toy store'

Parents of toddlers and big kids can relate, that there is a lot of bargaining with their kids that could happen when they go to a mall or a toy store.

Mommy Ahlly Cruz shared on Smart Parenting Village a story that warmed the hearts of moms and dads in the group.

She called it “Kwentong toy store,” because the conversation happened with her son while they were inside a toy store.

“Unang nagustuhan ni Mateo ay yung dinosaur toy, burado yung tag price kaya sabi ko i-check namin sa counter.”

When they checked it, the toy costs Php 2800, and Mommy Ahlly found it above their budget.

"This is expensive pala baby," she said. To which her son replied, “Okay.”

“He got the toy from me and placed it back to where it was. After that, tuwing may makikita siyang gusto niyang laruan, sasabihin niya muna, "Can you check (the price) for me?"

After an hour of going around the toy store, Mommy Ahlly said, they ended up buying a sword and clay.

“At bed time, naalala niya yung dinosaur toy,” recounted Mommy Ahlly.

Her son, who is well-versed with dinosaur names, said, "I really like the Carnotaurus, mommy.”

She replied, “Is it the dinosaur toy?”

Her son said, “Yes, I like that.”

She didn’t expect that her son would like the toy so much. She told him, “I know baby. Sorry for now kasi that one is expensive.”

Then she wasn’t prepared for his reply.

"That's okay. You will try again next time.”

At this point, her heart was melting. She asked him, “Why are you so sweet at understanding?”

And all the moms in SPV were not prepared for Mateo’s response.

"Because I'm a good person.”

Mommy Ahlly concluded her post, “He's only 4 years old and his way of responding is always full of heart! Nakakaiyak pero at the same time, sobrang nakaka-proud.”

The parents in the group shared their admiration for the polite boy.

Mommy Amor Clarice said, “Toddlers are built different. They are surely troublesome but their hearts are the purest.” She said she is a proud mom of two toddlers.

'Titingin lang ako, mama'

Mommy Marissa Cano Maglinte shared that she remember her eldest son because of Mommy Ahlly’s story. “We had him when I was still in college. When we go sa palengke, sinasabihan ko siya na we don’t have money for toys,” she said. But her son would still stop by a toy store and tell her, “Titingin lang ako, mama.”

Mommy Marissa said, he would feast his eyes with toys that they will not buy and be contented with looking at it and holding it for a while. “I was grateful for the kid he has been, when we were struggling with our finances.”

5 ways to raise kind and compassionate kids

Here are five things you can start doing so your child can grow up to be a kind, empathetic, and compassionate.  

1. Model kindness yourself

According to an article by Christine Carter, PhD of Greater Good Magazine, “Kindness can be contagious: when we see someone else perform an act of kindness, we are more likely to feel an impulse to help out, too,” said Carter. It doesn’t have to be big gestures, but if you make small and consistent acts of kindness and empathy everyday, they will surely acquire it.

2. Avoid rewarding them for helping other people

A research suggests that children, even as young as 20 months old, are intrinsically motivated to be kind. Extrinsic rewards can undermine this tendency, so we should just let them help without having to think of what they can get from doing it. What you can do instead, according to Carter, is to praise good behavior. 

3. Be positive

"Parents who express positive feelings and use positive, non-coercive discipline raise children who are kinder and more compassionate toward others,” Carter explained. She suggests that parents use the ERN method or Empathy, Rationale, and Not-Being-So-Bossy when you ask your kids to comply or obey you. She also discourages yelling, spanking, and threatening to your kids.

4. Don’t let rudeness pass.

In an article by Scholastic, they suggest to teach your child that when someone is nasty to you, you don’t have to respond in a mean way. For example, “That woman in the toy store might be having a bad day, that’s why she talked to us in a loud voice. What do you think?”

5. Treat your child with respect.

When your child is playing with a toy and it’s time to go, don’t just snatch the toy away. If they feel respected, they will also learn how to treat other people the same way. 

What's your Kuwentong Toy Store story?