I’m at wits end! How do I stop my children from whining?
Throughout childhood, children continually will try to assert their will in any given situation. It is part of growing and maturing. Some parents feel that it is only their child or children who whines or challenges every direction given, but happily, this is not the case. All children test their parents. Understand though, that it is the parents’ response to these assertive moments that will determine their child’s future behaviors.
In the meantime, have a family meeting (in my household we have them weekly), and put forth a new No Whining Rule. Explain to the children that when they need something they need to talk to you without whining, and that if they do whine you will definitely not do for them what they are asking. Do a quick role-playing exercise between parents, one parent is the whiner and the other is the calm assertive parent who reminds the ‘child’ to talk like a big boy or girl. The kids will get a kick out of seeing their parent(s) act this way, and it will be a visual example that they will remember.
Then when confronted with the situation, remind the child to talk like a big boy/girl, and tell the child that if he or she does not, that you will walk away and they will not get what they want. Then, always make sure that when they ask nicely, they receive praise (like, “Wow, I am so proud that you talked to me like a big girl”), but remember that you do not necessarily have to give in, you can just explain why their demand isn’t okay at that time. If your child then reverts to whining, walk away, send him or her into a room that whining is allowed in, and disengage from the struggle.
I recognize that sometimes it is extremely difficult to stand firm in your expectations (believe me I have been challenged many many times). Though, when you think about the larger consequence to giving in you must understand that the mixed message you send will continue to plague your family. To give in shows the child that you are willing to negotiate, unless you want to continue negotiating day after day, you must enact household or family rules and stay consistent in your expectations of your children. Whining will not go away on its own. Your child needs to see that you mean what you say and you will not waiver in your decision. In time, the struggle will conclude and you will have a happy household again.
This excerpt is from The Discipline Book by Sears and Sears:
How can such an irritating sound as whining come from such adorable little people? It combines pleading, demanding, pestering, and nagging interspersed with sniffles and sobs. It escalates in pitch until either the whiner wears out (this can take a long time) or the listener wears down (this takes only a short time). Most children whine sometime between ages two and a half and four as they are trying out various voices for the effect on listeners. The reason they stick with it so long is they often find it works like a charm.
Depending on the audience response, they will either go on to develop more annoying sound or refine their tone to more pleasant speech.
This excerpt is from The Strong Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson:
First: Define the Boundaries Before they are Enforced.
The most important step in any disciplinary procedure is to establish reasonable expectations and boundaries in advance. The child should know what is and what is not acceptable behavior before he is held responsible for those rules.
Second: When Defiantly Challenged, Respond with Confident Decisiveness.
Once a child understands what is expected, he should then be held accountable for behaving accordingly. That sounds easy, but as we have seen, most children will assault the authority of their elders and challenge their right to lead. In a moment of rebellion, a little child will consider his parents’ wishes and defiantly choose to disobey. Like a military general before a battle, he will calculate the potential risk, marshal his forces, and attack the enemy with guns blazing. When that nose to nose confrontation occurs between generations, it is extremely important for the adult to win decisively and confidently.
This excerpt is from Nanny 911 by Carroll and Reid:
…Whiners are not born. They’re Made. …Whining also escalates because parents are so used to attending to their babies’ every need that they swoop in the minute they hear crying. This is fine for very young babies who do need a swift response to their distress. It is not fine for toddlers who whine and cry simply to get attention – and who’ve trained mom and dad will do anything to stop the crying.
1. Tell children to use their words.
2. Acknowledge the situation and shift the conversation away from the whining.
3. Ask how the child is really feeling.
4. Involve the child in coming up with a solution to the problem that caused the whining in the first place.
In the above steps, use your words, can sometimes be confusing, it’s an abstract concept that some children have difficulty interpreting. I am now telling children to ‘talk,’ it is a more concrete explanation of the behavior you are looking for.
Help! My Preschooler Will Not Let Me Brush Her Teeth!
Ahh, the joy’s of parenting a strong willed little oneJ Read below for some information from the
“By age two and a half your child should have all his primary (or baby) teeth, including the second molars, which usually erupt between twenty and thirty months.” “As you might guess, the number one dental problem among preschoolers is tooth decay. Approximately 8 percent of two-year-olds already have one or more cavities, and by age three that number increases to nearly 60 percent.”
(Caring For Your Baby and Young Child Birth To Age 5, 1993, p. 308)
So clearly, we know how important it is to brush our little protester’s teeth, but what to do? I have to admit, at around two years old, my middle son was not so fond of getting his teeth brushed either! We tried it all, between wrestling him down and trying to gently pry his mouth open, to the Jedi-mind trick, boy was it a challenge! Here are some tips that helped in my own household, as well as tricks used by some of my clients:
- Model proper tooth brushing techniques in front of your child (my little ones always enjoyed sitting on the bathroom counter watching mommy get ready for bedtime – brushing teeth, washing face etc.)
- Eat a messy food together and make it fun to brush away the mess (blueberries, cookies, etc.), perhaps she could help you brush your teeth!
- Sing a fun tooth brushing song like Raffi’s “Brush Your Teeth” (to hear the tune) http://new.music.yahoo.com/raffi/tracks/brush-your-teeth--764602
- Role-play dentist office with your child. A great time to do this is after her first dentist visit. (
- Buy an electric toothbrush for her to use, today there are some great ones with favorite kid characters.
- Check out the local library for books with characters that go to the dentist, loose a tooth etc. Hearing a familiar story might spike interest in proper dental hygiene. Ask your librarian for favorites.
- To further her interest in keeping her teeth clean, get her some color pages about teeth www.preschoolcoloringbook.com/color/cpdental.shtml
- Print out a fun tooth brushing chart (get some stickers) for your child to track her big girl tooth brushing skills.
- Videotape your child brushing her teeth (my oldest loves watching himself on video, and some camera’s allow you to turn the screen around so that the person being videoed can see themselves). Perhaps watching herself on video would be a desired reward for brushing her teeth.
Finally, implement a familiar family routine surrounding tooth brushing, and stay consistent. Many children thrive on consistency, and though your child may not love a part of a routine, she will get used to it. Soon enough you will find that conflict diminishes, and getting her teeth brushed will become a normal part of her daily routine.
A Great Resource for Parents in Macomb County!
Parents,
I’d love to share with you a wonderful website developed and shared by one of my fellow classmates at Oakland University, Karen Olsen-Great Start Collaborative Coordinator.
Check out the website:
http://www.greatstartmacomb.org/news_events/calendar/
Of additional benefit to
Check out this link to get informed and make a difference. Within this page you can educate yourself on advocacy topics, find the Michigan Legislative Directory, learn who our state officials are (and get a direct link to their emails), keep abreast of current legislation and federal updates, and sign up to get alerts and updates as well…
Learn what is going on right now:
Explore the links and become informed! Only by educating ourselves can we hope to influence those who decide for us!
The Value of Play Defined...
I am so excited to share this wonderful link to a great resource for both parents and early childhood professionals on the personal and pedagogical Value of Play. I found it to be both informative and enlightening, as well as an easy read.
Within this article, author Dr. Jane Hewes defines and describes different types of play, and how to facilitate these powerful experiences with your children.
LET THE CHILDREN PLAY:
Nature’s Answer to Early Learning
By Jane Hewes, PhD
Chair of the Early Childhood Education Program,
Edmonton
“Young children learn the most important things not by being told but by constructing knowledge for themselves in interaction with the physical world and with other children – and the way they do this is by playing.”
Source: Jones, E., & Reynolds, G. (1992). The play’s the
thing: Teachers’ roles in children’s play, p. 1
What to do? My little guy will not let me leave the room!
There are two main periods of development in which children express some sort of separation anxiety. One in the later part of their first year, 8-10 months, and another during the beginning of toddlerhood, 13-17 months. The reasons behind the anxiety for each of these two periods are different, for the topic at hand; we are discussing the infant anxiety. Do not be alarmed, it is quite normal for your child to cry each time you leave the room. At these times during development children are concerned and need to be assured that you have not disappeared.
Here is what Dr. Penelope Leach, world-renowned child development expert, has to say in her book Your Baby and Child (1989, p.191-192):
“At six or seven months all the signs of your baby’s devotion are positive ones. He is nice to everybody but he is nicest of all to you. His swiftest, widest grins, his longest “conversations,” his earliest laughter and very first “songs” are all saved for you. But, soon you will see a negative side to all this joy. If he so much likes to have you with him, it is natural that he should come to dislike having you leave him. He will probably reach a point, at around eight months, when he tries to keep you in sight every moment of his waking day; when he cannot, he will be uneasy, tearful or even panic-stricken.
Psychologists call this reaction “separation anxiety,” but whether or not you see anything worthy of such a name in your baby depends both on his physical development and on his exact home circumstances. If he can already crawl when the uneasiness first strikes him, he will keep you in sight simply by crawling after you wherever you go… But if he get anxious about you before he gets mobile, he will be in quite a different situation. He cannot follow you so he will keep an eagle eye on you instead, starting to whimper whenever you move from his immediate vicinity.”
“To you, it seems totally unnecessary for the baby to cry just because you have gone to the clothes line. But when the baby loses sight of you, he minds. You are the center of his world; the mirror in which he sees himself and everything else; his manager, who copes with him and helps him cope with other things. When you go away from him you know where you are going and how short a time you will be gone, but as far as he is concerned, you might be gone forever. Out of sight is still out of mind. He registers your absence but cannot yet hold an image of you in his mind so as to wait calmly, and look forward confidently, to your return. Over the next few months he will discover “object constancy”: learn that things (and people) do not cease to exist just because they go out of sight and hearing. And, from continual experience, he will learn that wherever you have gone you will always return. But right now he only knows that you have vanished and that he feels bereft.”
To help you child through this normal developmental stage, recognize that he is anxious, and needs reassurance. Try to be courteous to his feelings by keeping him close throughout the day, or by letting him hear you to remind him that you are still nearby.
One thing that I always did for my own children, and a few of my enrolled children, was to talk to the baby when I moved out of sight. Continually singing or just telling the child I would be right back became a reminder that I could not be far. Another thing you can do is play a game (much like peek-a-boo). While walking out of sight, I would call “Where’s Mommy, Mommy, Here She Comes.” My leaving would always be brief, and when I would return I would smile widely and proclaim “Here She Is!”
Now do not feel that you need to carry your child everywhere. You don’t want your child to need to be held constantly, but certainly, if you will be out of sight for more than a few minutes you should bring your child to the room you will be in. Such as the case with my own children, I have sat my kids in the (empty) baby bathtub while taking a shower, or put the exersaucer in the laundry room while folding clothes. You can even set up a couple playpens around the house if there is a concern for your child’s safety, so that that way he can be near you wherever you are.
Finally, do not be too terribly concerned about this time period, before you know it he will be quite independent and will struggle when you try to coddle him. Much like every other stage, before you know it you will miss the days when…
There are so many new toys on the market! Simple gifts to give for Christmas...
I could go on and on about this topic! I always advise friends and family to purchase items that are safe, durable, simply made, don't require batteries, and remind you of something that you would have played with when you were a kid.
In this day and age, it is common for toys to take all the creativity out of playing. Plan for toys that encourage creativity (dress up, blocks, Legos, Tinkertoys, Bristle Blocks, Lincoln Logs, Knex). How about art supplies, kids love painting, playing with Playdoh, gluing things, cutting and using stickers. Another great idea is books! Books are wonderful especially if you make nightly reading a part of your family routine.
It is always advisable check for recalls of the items you are looking to purchase, as well as the items you already own. Here is the link to the U.S.
Here is what the experts at NAEYC have to say:
Simple Gift Giving for the Early Years
During the holiday season, we are frequently bombarded with advertisements for children’s toys that are often expensive or inappropriate, and many adults find themselves at a loss when trying to decide on the right gift for that special child in their lives. Selecting toys for young children is an important task that involves decisions about the kinds of interests, motivation, and skills we want children to develop. Any toy given to a child should match his or her developmental age and individual needs.
When choosing a toy, careful attention should be paid to safety and durability--materials should have lasting play value and help provide a foundation for future development.
Following are some ideas for inexpensive, and most important, fun play materials for the early years:
Birth through six months
Toys for young infants should promote their interest in looking, listening, sucking, and grasping. Well-secured, unbreakable crib mirrors, rag dolls, stuffed toys and simple hand puppets moved by an adult are all age appropriate gifts that can either be made or purchased for a minimal amount of money.
6 to 12 months
Infants from 6-12 months are able to enjoy a wider variety of toys which support their social, cognitive, and physical development. Floating objects for bath play, construction materials, simple puzzles, cloth and board books, and balls are durable options for young children at this stage.
1 to 2 years
Toddlers are increasingly mobile and independent. Dressing, lacing, and stringing materials, picture and nursery rhyme books, nontoxic crayons for scribbling, and stacking materials will be enjoyed by one-year-olds, while role-playing toys, pegboards, and large balls to kick, throw, and catch are good choices for older toddlers.
3 to 5 years
Three- to five-year-olds often find enjoyment from materials that promote pretend play and foster their language and social skills. A large variety of books suitable for this age are available, as well as an assortment of blocks, dress-up clothes and simple games, including dominoes, bingo boards, and card games.
6 through 8 years
Primary-school age children show interest in and benefit from a number of specific skill-development toys. They can spend hours with art and crafts materials, particularly washable paints, clay, collage equipment, and small beads for jewelry making. Books and more complex games with rules and turn-taking are also appropriate, and natural objects (stones and shells) can pique an interest in science and the environment.
Keep in mind that the holiday season can also be stressful for children. It isn’t necessary to give a child a room full of toys in order for him to have fun. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most enjoyable.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Additional Resources
Bronson, Martha B. 1995. The Right Stuff for Children Birth to 8: Selecting Play Materials to Support Development. Washington , DC
I could go on and on about this topic! I always advise friends and family to purchase items that are safe, durable, simply made, don't require batteries, and remind you of something that you would have played with when you were a kid.
In this day and age, it is common for toys to take all the creativity out of playing. Plan for toys that encourage creativity (dress up, blocks, Legos, Tinkertoys, Bristle Blocks, Lincoln Logs, Knex). How about art supplies, kids love painting, playing with Playdoh, gluing things, cutting and using stickers. Another great idea is books! Books are wonderful especially if you make nightly reading a part of your family routine.
It is always advisable check for recalls of the items you are looking to purchase, as well as the items you already own. Here is the link to the U.S.
Here is what the experts at NAEYC have to say:
Simple Gift Giving for the Early Years
In this day and age, it is common for toys to take all the creativity out of playing. Plan for toys that encourage creativity (dress up, blocks, Legos, Tinkertoys, Bristle Blocks, Lincoln Logs, Knex). How about art supplies, kids love painting, playing with Playdoh, gluing things, cutting and using stickers. Another great idea is books! Books are wonderful especially if you make nightly reading a part of your family routine.
Simple Gift Giving for the Early Years
During the holiday season, we are frequently bombarded with advertisements for children’s toys that are often expensive or inappropriate, and many adults find themselves at a loss when trying to decide on the right gift for that special child in their lives. Selecting toys for young children is an important task that involves decisions about the kinds of interests, motivation, and skills we want children to develop. Any toy given to a child should match his or her developmental age and individual needs.
When choosing a toy, careful attention should be paid to safety and durability--materials should have lasting play value and help provide a foundation for future development.
Following are some ideas for inexpensive, and most important, fun play materials for the early years:
Birth through six months
Toys for young infants should promote their interest in looking, listening, sucking, and grasping. Well-secured, unbreakable crib mirrors, rag dolls, stuffed toys and simple hand puppets moved by an adult are all age appropriate gifts that can either be made or purchased for a minimal amount of money.
6 to 12 months
Infants from 6-12 months are able to enjoy a wider variety of toys which support their social, cognitive, and physical development. Floating objects for bath play, construction materials, simple puzzles, cloth and board books, and balls are durable options for young children at this stage.
1 to 2 years
Toddlers are increasingly mobile and independent. Dressing, lacing, and stringing materials, picture and nursery rhyme books, nontoxic crayons for scribbling, and stacking materials will be enjoyed by one-year-olds, while role-playing toys, pegboards, and large balls to kick, throw, and catch are good choices for older toddlers.
3 to 5 years
Three- to five-year-olds often find enjoyment from materials that promote pretend play and foster their language and social skills. A large variety of books suitable for this age are available, as well as an assortment of blocks, dress-up clothes and simple games, including dominoes, bingo boards, and card games.
6 through 8 years
Primary-school age children show interest in and benefit from a number of specific skill-development toys. They can spend hours with art and crafts materials, particularly washable paints, clay, collage equipment, and small beads for jewelry making. Books and more complex games with rules and turn-taking are also appropriate, and natural objects (stones and shells) can pique an interest in science and the environment.
Keep in mind that the holiday season can also be stressful for children. It isn’t necessary to give a child a room full of toys in order for him to have fun. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most enjoyable.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Additional Resources
Bronson, Martha B. 1995. The Right Stuff for Children Birth to 8: Selecting Play Materials to Support Development.
Biting, Help my child has turned into Dracula...
The experts take on Biting:
“Aggressive biting and hitting is most common between the ages of eighteen months and two and a half years, when the child doesn’t have the verbal language to communicate needs; instead he communicates through actions. Biting usually stops as the child’s verbal skills grow” (The Discipline Book, 1995, Sears & Sears).
“Biting is an upsetting behavior that can result from feelings of frustration, overstimulation, anger, hunger, and pain related to teething. Often, children use biting as a way to get their needs met because they do not have more appropriate methods of communicating what they want and because biting gets a strong response from others. Whatever the reason for biting this behavior evokes a strong emotions from all those involved, including the child who bites, the victim, the parents of both children, and the provider” (So This is Normal Too?, Hewitt, 1995, p.132).
T. Berry Brazelton, a leading child development expert, believes that biting in anger most often represents a “loss of control,” scary for the child being bitten, but even scarier for the child doing the biting (Touchpoints, 1992, p. 174).
In the stages of development, toddlers learn much about self-awareness when undergoing the natural progression of emotional and social development. This occurs somewhere between the ages of 18 months and increases steadily into early childhood. It is at this time that children are learning such things as empathy, compliance and self-control (Infants and Children Fifth Edition, Berk, 2005). Prior to this time young children, especially pre-verbal children, have difficulty regulating emotions, and act out in ways that meet their needs at the time, the reason that toddlers throw temper tantrums, cry, scream, refuse to eat etc.
(Just Good Parenting)
Label your feelings, and the feelings of your child. Young children need to be given the words to express themselves. By labeling feelings (mad, sad, disappointed, frustrated, tired etc), you are legitimizing your child’s feelings and giving him or her the label to use when language skills develop.
(Prevention)
Recognize circumstances that may evoke biting behavior such as roughhousing, conflict, a tired child, teething etc. Be mindful that an incident may occur during these times. In a caregiving situation, shadow the child, remain as close as you can to the child throughout the day to help thwart conflict. Certainly preventing a situation is extremely difficult, and oftentimes the situations are unavoidable, however, having strategies in place prior to the biting will help in the event that the need arises.
(When the child has bitten you or another adult)
React strongly. Shriek loudly, set the child down and quickly retreat. Allow some time for separation. When you reconnect (in a couple of minutes), tell the child in very simplistic terms that biting hurts (Ouch, No No Bite! Mommy has a boo boo). Show your child the injury, and using the child’s hand show him or her how to comfort you by ‘petting’ the boo boo, or holding ice on it. Give your child the words to use expressing sympathy “sorry Mommy” and then hug your child.
(When the child has bitten another child)
Immediately comfort the bitten child. Sternly tell the biter in simplistic terms that biting hurts (Ouch, No No Bite! Child has a boo boo.) Move the bitten child to a sink and gently wash the bitten area with an antibacterial soap. (If the skin is broken, you may need to seek medical care). Take a moment to ignore the biter, sometimes biting is an attention getting behavior and you certainly do not want to encourage that.
Apply ice to the bitten child. Return to the ‘biter.’ Allow some time for separation (a brief time out). Then bring the biter back to the bitten child and teach comforting skills. Again, show him or her the injury. Label the injury and the feelings surrounding the injury (Boo Boo, Hurt, Owie). Remind the child gently (no, no biting, biting hurts). Show the child how to love the bitten child, give a hug or pet the injury. Teach sorrowful words like “I’m sorry,” though do not force them. There is nothing worse than an unsympathetic child screaming, “I’M SORRY!”
Remain consistent! Remind your child prior to circumstances (that biting might arise) what your expectations are for his or her behavior. Label feelings on a regular basis, and finally, remember that biting is a normal part of toddler development and... it too will pass…
When should I wean my child from the bottle and offer the cup?
Here at Little Tot's we begin offering a cup to all babies between the ages of six to ten months old, depending on the child's ability to grasp the cup and lift it to his or her mouth. Additionally, all juice and water is offered in a cup, and never given in the bottle. Once the child has significantly mastered the ability to drink from a cup, we slowly phase out the use of a bottle. We begin to replace any bottles given at meal times with the cup, and the last bottle we eliminate would be the one prior to nap (babies need this one more for comfort than nourishment).
If you happen to be the parents of an older baby approaching toddlerhood who still uses a bottle at home, do not fret, I have a trick you can use with your young toddler. Provided your child has the ability to drink from a cup (and is just choosing not to) give milk and juice in a cup only. Offer no more than water in the bottle.
If the child is old enough to recognize that you are pulling a fast one, have a very watered down mixture in your fridge that your child can watch you pour into the bottle. (Like a splash -half of an ounce of milk -per 4 ounces of water). Your child will likely refuse the yucky watery milk, at that time hand over the yummy full strength milk in a cup. If your child refuses the cup as well, place it in the fridge and walk away. Depending on how persistent your child is, it may take a while, but all children will come around eventually.
What an expert has to say - excerpt from Child Magazine (March, 1999, p.38 & 39)
Ideally, for both health and developmental reasons, a child should give up his bottle between 12 and 15 months of age, says Johnnie P. Frazier, M.D., assistant professor of community and general pediatrics at the
Parents often fail to realize the full range of health problems associated with late weaning from the bottle. For example, if a child starts to prefer his bottle to solid food and ends up consuming an excessive amount of cow’s milk, it can lead to iron-deficiency anemia as the milk protein irritates the bowel’s lining, causing microscopic bleeding.
On top of that, a toddler who’s diet consists mainly of milk is at greater risk of obesity, since whole milk (the only kind kids ages 1 to 2 should drink) is high in fat and cholesterol. If a late weaner’s drink of choice is juice, the excessive juice consumption can lead to a poor appetite and picky eating. Finally because late weaning is often associated with bottles at naptime and bedtime, a child can get cavities from the constant exposure to sugar during sleep.
Since kids become increasingly stubborn about their bottle preference as they get older, you’ll have to summon your resolve to start your child on the weaning process. “Stand your ground and make sure everyone in the household remains consistent about helping your son make the transition from bottle to cup,” says Dr. Frazier.
First, offer him only water in his bottle, and give him milk or juice in a sippy cup. Buy cups that are decorated with cheerful cartoon characters to make them more appealing, Dr. Frazier suggests, and offer lots of praise every time your child drinks from the cup. If you fell he really needs it, you can also try one of the newer transitional cups, shaped like a bottle but with a spout instead of a nipple. You can also encourage him to throw out his bottle and wave bye-bye, to show he’s moving on. If your child has a tantrum at any point or refuses to drink from a cup, don’t give in. he’ll drink when he gets thirsty – and in three to five days, he should start taking the cup without a fuss. Parents can avoid the problem of late bottle weaning by introducing a cup with meals at around 6 months, as recommended by the
Memorable Holiday Traditions...
Below is an excerpt from a favorite frugal book of mine The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn:
“Throughout history, with exception of the most wealthy families, people generally only gave gifts to young children and to the poor. Literature provides us with a few images from early Christmases in this country. The Laura Wilder Little House series depicts gifts for children of a tin cup and candy, or a hair comb…” Amy goes on to explain that authors Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli (Unplug the Christmas Machine) found that the industrial revolution made goods cost less, coupled with increased advertising which implied you care more if you spend more, were the beginnings of the madness that we see today. “Today’s holiday revolves around the gift giving. In most households, present opening is the climax of the day. Families may go on to visit extended family members, share a meal, or watch a ball game. After the paper and ribbon explosion subsides, we are left with the Is-that-all-there-is? feeling. But from the years 400 until 1900, or the first 1,500 years of Christmas celebrations, gift giving played a minor role. The opening of presents was the beginning, not the end.” Amy further explains that the expectation to do so much… “Robs you of some of the joy you should be experiencing. The solution is simple. Give yourself license to do less. Lower your self-expectation to a minimum level.”
I propose that we all scale down, and instead of feeling bad, that we strive to create memorable traditions with our children that will be so much more meaningful than any present that we could give. Little guys won’t know the difference and you’ll feel much better for it. Below are a few of my favorites…
Christmas Traditions:
- Take your children to a You-Cut Christmas Tree Farm and cut down your own Christmas tree for the season. Bundle up good, as some farms even offer a hayride with cider and donuts to commemorate your trip. Take lots of pictures, throw a snowball or two.
- Let the children decorate the tree. I know, what am I thinking right? Actually, once you get past that need for a perfect tree, you will see how nice it is to let the kids do the work, and they will love showing you where they put their favorite ornaments.
- Plan a meal that the kids can help with year after year. Maybe its Turkey Pot Pies made after the holidays, or cookies made to distribute to friends and family. Whatever it is, make it a tradition to share with your kids year after year.
- Take you kids shopping for the other members of your immediate family. Or, better yet, have them make a meaningful gift to give. Two of my previous clients saved only their favorite preschool projects, and allowed the child to give the others as gifts for the holidays.
- Buy or make an “Elf on a Shelf” to visit your children each year. The little elf sits and watches over your child(ren) during the day and reports back to Santa each evening.
- Participate in giving to the less fortunate. Donate to your church or schools adopt a family project.
- As a family, sit down and have the children make gift-tags out of old family photos. In the age where everything is digital it might be a fun way to use old photo’s we just cannot bear to toss.
- Give the children their own Christmas ornament each year. This is something my mother-in-law started. My kids love getting their Hallmark ornament each year and unwrapping those from years past to decorate our tree.
- Hang a stocking each year with your child’s name. This familiar tradition is so much fun for my kids! Just seeing their old stocking is a reminder of holidays past.
- Take pictures of your children enjoying family time with extended family members, reading with, eating, playing cards, playing pool etc. These photos will be cherished long after the holiday season.
- Send a Santa letter to your kids.
- Leave out Milk, Cookies and Carrots on Christmas Eve. Cookies for Santa (or your oldest child that just learned the secret), and the Carrots for the Reindeer.
Thinking ahead, if it is too late this year, try scaling back a little each year. The importance of the holiday is the love and celebration of family, not the receiving of gifts.
Hurry, last chance to Mom2Mom for the season!
For those of you who have yet to partake in the greatest garage sales of all time, the season is nearing an end for our local Mom2Mom sales. There are still a few locations that have over a hundred and fifty tables! That is 150 Moms trying to get rid of their children’s clothes and toys!
Check out this link to get the latest list: http://www.mom2momlist.com
FYI: Some bargains are just too good to pass up, and your kids won’t care whether you bought an item brand new or used, they will just appreciate getting it! Good Luck and Happy Shopping!