Not to sound mean or rude but be the parent and just say no. End the conversation and if your kid has a tantrum about it, let them but don't give in. You need to be consistant and firm in whatever you decide. If you are in public and your child has a tantrum because you said no, take the child out - go to the car, a grassy area near by - whatever but don't give in. After a few tantrums and you not giving in, it will start to get better.
We have a book called Dora and the Crystal Kingdom, where there is a "greedy king". When DD says gimme, or grabs, I say she sounds like the greedy king (and of course we know that's not a good thing!). Sometimes that helps.
Since you didn't give context I am not sure what else to add but I agree that saying no and meaning it helps. I use this for whining, and say "when you talk that way you don't get what you want". GL!
No is what helps me with my son best. He knows I never give in when I say no. Consistency is key I feel.
Also if it is something she really wants at say a store I think 4 is a great age to start teaching her about earning money and saving up for something. We are already starting this with Harmon. I buy him say the train he is dying for but I tell him he can't have it to play with until he earns it. We have a star chart and I tell him the train is 9 stars and so he has to help me with 9 special projects before he "buys" his train. It has helped curb gimmes and is teaching him a valuable lesson that in life you need to earn things.
Mom to Harmon 1/17/08 and twins Rachel & Callum 8/28/09
Re: The gimmies???
We have a book called Dora and the Crystal Kingdom, where there is a "greedy king". When DD says gimme, or grabs, I say she sounds like the greedy king (and of course we know that's not a good thing!). Sometimes that helps.
Since you didn't give context I am not sure what else to add but I agree that saying no and meaning it helps. I use this for whining, and say "when you talk that way you don't get what you want". GL!
No is what helps me with my son best. He knows I never give in when I say no. Consistency is key I feel.
Also if it is something she really wants at say a store I think 4 is a great age to start teaching her about earning money and saving up for something. We are already starting this with Harmon. I buy him say the train he is dying for but I tell him he can't have it to play with until he earns it. We have a star chart and I tell him the train is 9 stars and so he has to help me with 9 special projects before he "buys" his train. It has helped curb gimmes and is teaching him a valuable lesson that in life you need to earn things.