Tidbits from Tam (admin): Ok, you all know I say what I think, so here I go again. Im sure this will irritate some of you...but oh well....just my thoughts: As far as asking for help with Christmas....in my opinion, you should only be signing up if you dont/wont have anything for your kids & truly need help. (What are your thoughts on needing true help?) Please dont ask for help because you want your kids to have extra over & beyond what youre providing. Theres no rule that says a kid needs a certain amount of gifts. Thats not what Christmas is about. I wont say what it IS about because you already know. Many people have grandparents, friends, & coworkers who will help, if necessary. Ive seen Christmas morning photos on news feed from families who needed help, & their living rooms were so full that there was no place to even play. (what are ur thoughts on how many gifts to give?) I think a lot of folks need to step back & let others who are more in need sign up for holiday programs. I know we want our kids not to be deprived....but deprived of what? Those are things and there are more important, meaningful, lasting things you can give, do with & teach your children. As a teacher, I heard about all the things Santa brought from some children & saw the sadness & confusion in others about why Santa didnt bring them all that stuff. Teach your child about caring & giving....dont pass along the attitude of how many presents they will get. ITS NOT IMPORTANT & it spoils the child! Another thing, is stop feeling guilty about depriving your kids. YOU ARENT! Not if youre supporting your family to the best of your ability & being a good parent. If you dont have $ then teach them how people can make the best of hard times. Get back to the basics...craft, cook, sew, build, create gifts. The internet has a wealth of ideas of things to make for gifts. Next, for those with kids under 2...if you dont have $ for gifts...I promise they wont know the difference. They wont even know what theyre missing. Its really about you wanting to make memories. The memory of the holiday is what you make it. A few clean used things...reading Christmas books, singing & dancing to Christmas songs, making & decorating cookies & crafts, taking lots of pictures, etc. is going to be more bonding, fun & create more lasting memories than a mountain of toys that put you into debt & will be broken before long. The same with older kids...its hard not to want to give them all the technological & gaming stuff they want. If theyre not already spoiled by having everything new thing that comes out, let them help come up with some memorable holiday activities to do together & for others in need. I can honestly say, I only remember a few specific toys that were ever given to me. But what lingers in my mind & heart are the memories of our family & friends coming to our house to visit, helping to put up the Christmas lights, decorating the house, making ornaments, cookies, snow forts to have snowball fights with, making snow ice cream, my mom & dad being together, watching the twinkling, starry sky with my neighbors little girl, who still believed in Santa, pretending that I could see him & the reindeer, going Christmas caroling in our neighborhood, going to church on Christmas Eve where red candles were all aglow, finding & cutting down the just right tree for our living room, the smell of pine, my mom grumbling about pine needles all over her carpet, her hanging up the HANDWRITTEN cards around the fireplace, that were sent via snailmail. I couldnt wait to get the mail everyday! Ask yourself, Is my family really in need of help this year? Or Might we help some others? What kind of memories are you leaving your kids with? Id like to hear your thoughts...
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:15:39 +0000
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