How do you teach someone/child the value of something without them becoming materialistic?

[Justneedtokno]

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

As a kid, I can only tell you what not to do as a parent, unfortunately.

1. Explaining them how grateful they should be by having a particular thing is the worst way of making them value that thing. They should feel the value, not be explained by someone, even if it is their mother herself.

In fact this can distance your children away from you, giving them the impression that you value the thing more than them. Which is absolutely false for most parents.

2. The other thing is also true. Too much access, whenever they want, any times they want, also makes them loose the value to about a particular thing. You need to maintain a fine balance between the first and the second point.

I can say that, make sure that they value what you say first, really listen to what you say, and then, simply by speaking about a thing, they will see it that way.

Be a friend to them, and a parent too. Make sure that you behave in such a way, genuinely or on the surface, that they are comfortable to discuss literally anything with you.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Anti-materalism is a worthless mentality.

People SHOULD value objects they have. The problem is not valuing them, not "materialism".

Most people don't take care of their property well enough, and products are made to break nowadays.

A bit more materalism and self respect would result in people having higher demands on product quality again.

[Justneedtokno]

You can have self-respect without having the materialistic idea. When are objects more important than people

[TheSpaceGnome]

If you are buying products that are designed to fail, or you are damaging good products you paid hard earned money for, or if you go without the many joys, securities, and conveniences modern living brings, then you lack self respect.

Property gives people the power to do things, and power = success.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Anti-materialism = anti-science, anti-medicine, anti-technology, anti-knowlege, anti-entertainment, anti-creativity, anti-modern living in general, and disregarding those things is incredibly disrespectful to one's self.

[Sixgunsound]

If they want something they should learn the value of working for it. I don’t mean basic necessities that we are morally or legally obligated as parents to provide I mean extras like specific toys or specific popular clothes or electronics etc. if it’s a want not a need, they should be prepared to work for it.

[Guy13]

Value is based in morality foremost. Value of product is determined by one's morality and/or spirituality. A Biblical spiritual value system works itself out morally. In such a System, the Value of Stuff (work, items, etc). "Do it as if one was doing it for God"...

[letuswaltzforthedead]

If it's an item they want, make them work for it. Let them help around the house and sell stuff or start working early. Also, showing them and teaching them about human history might help if you want to humble them. It would have to be personal though, I doubt that most people would care about histories that they werent invested in.

[Jamie05rhs]

Make them work to earn it. Then show them what their money could have gained in the market if they had invested instead of spending on consumer goods.

[Anonymous]

Don't buy them materialistic things, and teach them the value of money.

[Pinay_ako]

Teach them the hard work behind the something…

[ohsheeT]

What are you trying to teach them

[msc545]

perhaps make them work to earn it?