Trying to curve this “entitlement” behavior before it’s too late...

Hi-so I just read this article about children’s favorite toys from around the world. They start with children at the lowest income level-and seeing some of their favorite toys being “plastic bottles” and “sticks” it quite literally made me tear up. Just seeing how happy something like that could make a child was a real eye opener. I grew up with a single mom to two other kids-money was tight and we certainly weren’t spoiled but my mom tried to make holidays special-and because of that I grew up appreciating the things I have. Now...I am a step parent to two children SS4 SD6, I have been in their lives since they were in diapers. That’s why it’s so important to me to instill some of the morals and behaviors I would want from my children. Appreciation, kindness, good manners..they are great kids really so I’m not attempting to change behaviors that are already instilled in them. I have been noticing lack of appreciation for toys they get, they always expect more. Or play with them for a day and forget about it. The problem lies here: We co-parent with their birth mother who is single and rather than teach them to be patient or that they can’t get what they want she gives in and rewards bad behavior. Whatever makes her life easier...and that’s not good parenting at least not to me. Because of our blended family and the blended family BM and I come from- there are a lot of people in these kids lives that spoil them-and it’s more than just love! Basically I’m wondering if showing them something like this article and explaining it to them would make any difference? I constantly explain how fortunate they are and how there are families that don’t have enough food let alone new clothes or a “toy room.” Or maybe a video that’s not too inappropriate to show how other people live? I don’t know I just see this behavior of entitlement growing and it’s making me very worried for how they will turn out in the future. I know whatever we decided to do won’t extend beyond our home, but hopefully it gives them a different perspective. I dont resent the fact that they are spoiled by so many because they are equally spoiled with love. Thoughts? via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2EILWrP