Positive Parenting Tips - How To Give Your Child The Spirit Of Christmas
Positive Parenting Tips - How To Give Your Child The Spirit Of Christmas by Deanna Mascle
I am the mother of a 6-year-old so I know full well how wild children become when caught up in the full Christmas frenzy. There is the never-ending list of "I want" items from catalogs, television commercials, and random store spottings. There is the sneaking around to find hidden gifts or fondle those already wrapped under the tree. There is the high spirits and wild behavior that come from increased sugar intake on top of the excitement of the season. While I can forgive a certain amount of high jinks, I also do not want my child to forget the reason for the season. Here are four ways I remind my child of the true meaning of Christmas.
Of course Christmas is about presents. That is the true reason why children are so wild. They know the countdown is coming for a big haul of gifts and it is very difficult to avoid this commercial aspect even if you choose to do so. Even when my husband and I make a conscious decision to be restrained there are still grandparents, aunts, cousins, and friends who conspire to deliver everything a boy can dream of possessing. I do not wish to deprive my child of that magical Christmas morning frenzy of shredding wrapping paper, but I do want to make sure he remembers that Christmas is about giving -- not receiving. This means I make sure he is a part of the gift selection process as well as purchase and wrapping. In addition, he also makes a number of gifts and cards for those people important to him. He enjoys this creative aspect as well as making a more meaningful gift that will be cherished much more than a store bought gift by his grandparents and other special people. Any way you can channel although that pre-holiday energy into a positive action is always a bonus too.
Another aspect of reminding my child that Christmas is about giving is also to share with those less fortunate. We go through toys and clothes before Christmas and take a good haul to Goodwill. Obviously it offers the selfish benefit of making way for the new presents, but if an outgrown bicycle can make another child's Christmas a little brighter than that can only make the situation a win-win for everyone. We also participated in several giving projects through school, scouts, church and other organizations.
Last, and certainly not least, as a Christian family we take part in many events to celebrate this most important part of the Christian calendar. My son and I both sing in choirs that put on Christmas concerts. Our entire family supported several efforts to help those in need from putting together shoebox gift boxes to ship overseas to the Joy offering that support specific church missions to the local coats for kids project as well as bringing food for the local food pantry. We also lit the Advent candle during a recent church service which was very special. We always attend church and Sunday School so will definitely attend the Christmas Eve candlelight service which is one of my personal favorites. Our church family hosts several holiday parties as well to make the season even brighter including appreciation dinners for the choirs, a birthday party for Jesus, and decorating the church. These are all great ways to have fun and celebrate together without the commercial aspects.
If you embrace even a few of these tips then you will not only remind your child of the true meaning of Christmas but you will also help make the holiday season a little brighter for others as well. Both benefits also give you the added bonus of adding to your store of holiday cheer.
Find more positive parenting tips and good parenting advice
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I am the mother of a 6-year-old so I know full well how wild children become when caught up in the full Christmas frenzy. There is the never-ending list of "I want" items from catalogs, television commercials, and random store spottings. There is the sneaking around to find hidden gifts or fondle those already wrapped under the tree. There is the high spirits and wild behavior that come from increased sugar intake on top of the excitement of the season. While I can forgive a certain amount of high jinks, I also do not want my child to forget the reason for the season. Here are four ways I remind my child of the true meaning of Christmas.
Of course Christmas is about presents. That is the true reason why children are so wild. They know the countdown is coming for a big haul of gifts and it is very difficult to avoid this commercial aspect even if you choose to do so. Even when my husband and I make a conscious decision to be restrained there are still grandparents, aunts, cousins, and friends who conspire to deliver everything a boy can dream of possessing. I do not wish to deprive my child of that magical Christmas morning frenzy of shredding wrapping paper, but I do want to make sure he remembers that Christmas is about giving -- not receiving. This means I make sure he is a part of the gift selection process as well as purchase and wrapping. In addition, he also makes a number of gifts and cards for those people important to him. He enjoys this creative aspect as well as making a more meaningful gift that will be cherished much more than a store bought gift by his grandparents and other special people. Any way you can channel although that pre-holiday energy into a positive action is always a bonus too.
Another aspect of reminding my child that Christmas is about giving is also to share with those less fortunate. We go through toys and clothes before Christmas and take a good haul to Goodwill. Obviously it offers the selfish benefit of making way for the new presents, but if an outgrown bicycle can make another child's Christmas a little brighter than that can only make the situation a win-win for everyone. We also participated in several giving projects through school, scouts, church and other organizations.
Last, and certainly not least, as a Christian family we take part in many events to celebrate this most important part of the Christian calendar. My son and I both sing in choirs that put on Christmas concerts. Our entire family supported several efforts to help those in need from putting together shoebox gift boxes to ship overseas to the Joy offering that support specific church missions to the local coats for kids project as well as bringing food for the local food pantry. We also lit the Advent candle during a recent church service which was very special. We always attend church and Sunday School so will definitely attend the Christmas Eve candlelight service which is one of my personal favorites. Our church family hosts several holiday parties as well to make the season even brighter including appreciation dinners for the choirs, a birthday party for Jesus, and decorating the church. These are all great ways to have fun and celebrate together without the commercial aspects.
If you embrace even a few of these tips then you will not only remind your child of the true meaning of Christmas but you will also help make the holiday season a little brighter for others as well. Both benefits also give you the added bonus of adding to your store of holiday cheer.
Find more positive parenting tips and good parenting advice
Article Source: http://www.article-hangout.com
http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/santa-emails.shtml
posted by Santa's Elves at 8:44 AM
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