"Think about keeping the little kids home when buying gifts for family and friends
this holiday season"
this holiday season"
We had a great presentation at church yesterday on the Sermon on the Mount. The speaker added his own 3 Beatitudes that we tend to focus more on in this media-filled world than the original Beatitudes.
The Beatitude for children that they hear everyday in the media is: "Blessed are those who buy things!"
I couldn't agree more that the media is bombarding our children...even our 2 and 3 year old children! Kristofer gets to watch one 1/2 hour cartoon in the afternoon before nap and maybe one 1/2 cartoon in the evening if I'm pulling my hair out waiting for Sunny to get home. I love how Nick Jr. is commercial-free, if there's a show on another station that Kristofer wants to watch, I make sure I turn it on just as the show is starting because they are just filled with commercials wanting to sell TOYS to kids!
So back to my tip: "Think about keeping the little kids home when buying gifts for family and friends this holiday season"
This evening I needed to buy yellow envelopes at the stored and thought I would get ahead on a few gifts for Kristofer's friends. Before I went in I explained how during Christmas we GIVE gifts to those we love like baby Jesus was given gifts when he was born. He said, "And a present for Kristofer and Kathryne?" I explained "No, just for your friends".
All went well until he saw a toy he wanted and it all went downhill. Kristofer is not ready to understand buying presents for his friends without thinking he needs something himself, so I am opting to keep him home this season and shop on my own.
I only bought my envelopes and Kristofer cried for his toy all the way through the store and in the line...another lesson to be learned!
As Kristofer gets older he'll understand, but it's not worth the "Gimme Gimme" struggles and it's not helping to teach him the lesson of giving. Maybe he can make gifts at home to add to the presents!
Just think about it.
The Beatitude for children that they hear everyday in the media is: "Blessed are those who buy things!"
I couldn't agree more that the media is bombarding our children...even our 2 and 3 year old children! Kristofer gets to watch one 1/2 hour cartoon in the afternoon before nap and maybe one 1/2 cartoon in the evening if I'm pulling my hair out waiting for Sunny to get home. I love how Nick Jr. is commercial-free, if there's a show on another station that Kristofer wants to watch, I make sure I turn it on just as the show is starting because they are just filled with commercials wanting to sell TOYS to kids!
So back to my tip: "Think about keeping the little kids home when buying gifts for family and friends this holiday season"
This evening I needed to buy yellow envelopes at the stored and thought I would get ahead on a few gifts for Kristofer's friends. Before I went in I explained how during Christmas we GIVE gifts to those we love like baby Jesus was given gifts when he was born. He said, "And a present for Kristofer and Kathryne?" I explained "No, just for your friends".
All went well until he saw a toy he wanted and it all went downhill. Kristofer is not ready to understand buying presents for his friends without thinking he needs something himself, so I am opting to keep him home this season and shop on my own.
I only bought my envelopes and Kristofer cried for his toy all the way through the store and in the line...another lesson to be learned!
As Kristofer gets older he'll understand, but it's not worth the "Gimme Gimme" struggles and it's not helping to teach him the lesson of giving. Maybe he can make gifts at home to add to the presents!
Just think about it.
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