The holiday season is here and in full swing. With this magical time of year there are generally presents. Lots and lots of presents. Bows and baubles. Ribbons and paper. This stuff is everywhere, and really it is like crack for kids. They just can’t get enough. Who doesn’t like gifts? I like gifts. We all like gifts. But around this four-year mark we are currently in there seems to be an issue with the gimmies. I can understand it and the age appropriateness too, but I don’t have to like it.
What better time to talk about beating those greedy gimmies than during the most extravagant present time of the year? It must be an issue many of us face.
So my friends I’m asking you, how do we teach our children to be thankful for what they have? How do we prove that we don’t need every shiny new thing their little eyes see? How do we teach that it really is better to give than to receive?
3 comments
Nadine is asking for everything in sight but when I take her aside and tell her its not nice to be greedy and how one more gift request could tip the scales against her and she will get nothing she starts to laugh and says ” Mom you know I was only kidding”. What I am trying to say Catherine is that you also are probably misunderstanding the whole situation and have it completely wrong. Right? ;-0
You are fighting against neurology! lol
I am cynical and a bah humbug type, but I think Christmas is the last time I try to teach this – sounds backwards, I know. Christmas is OVERRATED (and kind of a mess!), in my humble opinion.
I think the answer is exposure and experience broadening their understanding of the world – the big world, not just the comfortable one around them…and it is a life long lesson!
Slowly and over time. The “gimmies” are common at that age but it does improve with time. My 8 year old has a lot more gimmies than my 11 year olds but it still isn’t too bad. I routinely show my kids that they can’t always have everything they want and that life isn’t fair. If one child needs new pants I don’t buy all 3 pants. I buy them items according to their needs and I almost never buy toys, games, movies, etc. outside of their birthdays or Christmas. If they want something they can save for it. We also try to be generous to others with our giving including the less fortunate and have our kids participate in those types of giving to learn the joy of giving to and helping others.