Learning
What Gifts Are You Giving this Holiday Season?
Karen Schacter, contributing editor (dishingwithyourdaughters.com and healthybodieshappyminds.com)
During this season, children’s voices can be heard echoing throughout the world, in houses and department stores, in shopping malls and on even on ebay: “I want THAT for Christmas!! I want THIS for Hanukkah!” Bigger, better, shinier, MORE!!
‘Tis the season of giving — oops, I mean getting — and all through the land, not a child is quiet until the gifts show up in his hand.
I realize my poetry is not great, but I think you get the point: We parents have a tough line to walk during gift-giving time. We all want to see the bright smiles on our children’s faces when they open their presents and play excitedly with them. We love giving yet we may not love the “gimme gimme gimme” attitude that we may be hearing! It can be a fine line between facilitating a festive generous joyful spirit for our family and feeling like we’re supporting our children’s sense of entitlement!
As a parent myself, I want to give my children the gifts they’ve been asking for all season while also always remembering that THESE gifts are truly not the gifts they will remember or the gifts I most want to pass on to them.
We parents want to pass on real gifts that will serve them far longer than the coolest new toy. We want to fill their hearts with love, give them the gift of compassion and understanding, and nourish them with a sense of comfort and safety in the world.
Here are a few gifts that many parents want their children to receive, and some tips on how you might go about “giving” them this season and beyond:
- The gift of love and genuine connection: Remember that quality time spent together with your children MATTERS. Turn off the computer, the tv and the IPad, and play a game, go for a walk, plan a vacation...together. Ask questions and listen. Hug them every single day without fail. Create family rituals that everyone can count on, every year, every month, or even every week.
- The gift of health: Take time to really notice how your children are eating and be a positive role model by encouraging healthy eating habits. Change out sugary white foods for delicious whole foods. Go for walks or bike rides together. Emphasize good health and self-care.
- The gift of gratitude: Take a moment to express thanks for your food before every meal. Express gratitude for your children and what they are doing RIGHT!
- The gift of authenticity: Our children are not extensions of us, needing to be who we want them to be! It’s our job as parents to help them SEE their own gifts and talents, and cultivate them. Ask them what makes them proud about themselves. Be on the lookout for resources that support her interests and dreams. Support them in being true to themselves even in the face of adversity.
- The gift of safety: The world can send all kinds of unhealthy messages to our children, through the media, through peers, and through marketing. It’s our job as parents to help them digest this information and to make our home a safe haven.
May you enjoy the gifts of the holiday season: The gifts of family, friends, and love.
