Children Making Their Lists… Parents Checking Them Twice
Ah… the holidays… a time of happiness and harmony, peace and goodwill…or are they? It seems that holidays have been become a source of great stress. For parents, holiday stress might be partly fueled by the idea that children must be given all that they want and even things they don’t. Parents go to great lengths to find the perfect gift or that sold-out toy (remember Tickle Me Elmo?). 
They want to fulfill their children’s wish lists while overlooking the basic definition of “wish.”
The question that comes to mind for me is, what are we trying to prove? Worse yet, what is this doing to our children who are being set-up to think that they are entitled to every holiday wish?
Here are some things for parents to consider:
1. Prioritize your children’s top wishes
Children often say they want just about all that they see on TV or at the store, just to forget it by the next day. Pay attention to the things that they are consistently interested in and that you feel are reasonable and age-appropriate.
2. Avoid giving them any indication that they will get all they want
Give yourself permission to put your holiday expenses on a budget. You can even set a budget limit on what kids request from Santa. Do not get carried away by the holiday rush. Remember what it feels like when the bills hit the mailbox in January. If you are proactive, you just might avert a case of post-holiday shock.
3. Make holiday memories that are truly long-lasting
Children might not remember what gift or toy they got two holidays ago. However, they will remember that together you sang songs by the fire, or had snow ball fights, or baked special holiday cookies, or made new ornaments each year.
Remember that not giving your children all they want does not make you a bad parent. Even if you could afford it, do they really need to have it all? Is that really what the holidays are all about? Do they even appreciate what they get? Who are you truly trying to satisfy? The answers to these questions might surprise you, but may also bring more joy and sanity to your holiday season.
Photo via Bing
Filed under: Children, Lifestyle & Behaviors, Parenting, Relationships, Resilience, Stress, Women, Work/Life
