Defeating the Give Me Monster

One of the most difficult aspects of the holidays for parents is the continuous demands that children enjoy making on parents and other family members. In many ways, it’s not the kids’ fault. Older people especially love asking little guys what they want for Christmas. And of course, every TV cartoon is replete with commercial breaks introducing kids to every type of toy they can think of. Even movies come out with tie in toys available the same day as the release.

However, parents need not wring their hands helplessly. We can take steps to as least try to refocus our little ones on the meaning of the season and the needs of others rather than just on what they want.

Limit Their Exposure

Avoiding the “give mes” is a lot like avoiding the chicken pox: you have to limit your child’s exposure. You can do this in a number of ways:

• Avoid taking your child through the toy department of local stores
• Limit the amount of time you child spends watching television, especially “kids shows”
• Discourage family members from asking your kids what they want.
• Likewise, don’t spend too much time emphasizing what you’re getting your kids.

Choose Your Gifts Carefully

Since one of the biggest problems with holiday gift is that kids get too many of them all at one time. That’s why I like the idea of monthly gift clubs. While it’s true that your teen will probably not be impressed with a gift subscription to one of the monthly flowers clubs out there, he will likely love the idea of getting a new video game, book or other gizmo each month.

Focus on Family Traditions

Instead of talking about what they want for holiday gifts, encourage your children think about family traditions they enjoy. One way to do this is to involve the children in traditions as early as possible. For instance, one child may enjoy making cookies; let him be your special cookie helper while another child helps you decorate your home. Every kid enjoys one on one time with a parent.

Emphasize Giving Instead of Getting

Set aside time to help each child think about what he’d like to give others for the holidays. Encourage him to make something special, or do an extra job to earn money to buy a small gift. Children often find that giving gifts is ultimately more fun than getting what they want. The sooner they learn this, the better.

Embrace Spiritual Meanings

There is a reason why the word holiday is derived from the term “Holy Day.” Most holidays have some sort of spiritual background that you will want to celebrate with those you love. Even if you are not religious, you will likely want to embrace such concepts as love, giving or other positive values during the holiday season.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron, who is married with two children, lives in Austin, Texas next to her elderly parents. Melissa leads a full life that includes a productive career as a freelance writer and spending time with her extended family. She loves writing about various subjects including parenting, local history and living a frugal life. She also enjoys searching the Internet for bargains and researching ideas for articles.