Less Can Be More This Christmas
Demonstrate To Children The Joy Of Giving
Last updated Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5:11 PM CST in Your Family
By Tom McMahon
SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
This Christmas season could be one of the best. Less can be more. With the current economic downturn, there will be more of a focus on people than on things. The "gimme, gimme" needs of past holidays will be toned down this year. Children of all ages are bracing for less stuff.
Since kids usually know more than we think, it's a good idea to explain why the family will have less to spend this season. That might lead to a discussion about what is important, such as family, friends and our health. Children will understand this, and will have many questions.
Above all, we can demonstrate to our children the joy of giving to others. Start a family Christmas project for the needy. Ask your children for suggestions as to how they can help others in need. Kids can come up with great ideas.
Thanks to the readers of this column for sharing these clever kid tips. Please e-mail your favorite tip.
The Value of Volunteer Service
We encourage our children to volunteer their services to a community or church organization that helps people in need. Another option, which a few of our teens took us up on, is to volunteer their time for someone in our community who needs assistance. Volunteer service provides many dividends for teens: it increases their self-esteem, expands their outlook on the world and helps to turn their focus from inward to outward. -- B.W., Spanish Fork, Utah
Christmas Book Each Night
Every December, I wrap up 15 Christmas books (and I now have enough for both children to have their own 15). Each night before bedtime, they both get to choose a book to "open" and read at bedtime. It's a great incentive to get the bedtime ritual done earlier -- they love opening the present -- and, most of all, we all enjoy the gift of reading. I also have done the same with Christmas videos -- every few days, we open one to watch. The rest of the year, I keep the books and videos hidden away. -- Reba C., Springdale, Ark.
Hanging Shoe Bag Holds Mittens
A great way to organize all those mittens, gloves and scarves is to use a hanging shoe bag that has multiple compartments. My husband and I use the upper compartments, and our children use the lower ones. -- R.H.P., Vancouver, Wash.
Paid For Being A Nonsmoker
To encourage my grandchildren not to smoke, I agreed to pay them the cost of a pack of cigarettes per day from their 16th birthday until they reach 21 if they never smoke. So far, it's worked; neither of my teenage grandchildren smokes. I deposit the money in each of their savings accounts each month, which will be used for education. The money is even a strong enough incentive to overcome the peer pressure to smoke. They tell their friends, "I would be crazy to give up all that money for this." -- J.E.D., Bellingham, Wash.
Note: Instead of using a "pack per day" price, you could come up with a monthly dollar amount. (T.M.)
Roll-Up Sandwiches
If your children are tired of traditional sandwiches, try a roll-up sandwich. My three children prefer them. I use flour tortillas or white bread that I flatten with a rolling pin. I place yummy ingredients (turkey, ham, egg salad, or peanut butter and jelly) on top, and then roll it up. -- P.T.W., Irving, Texas
Share your favorite parenting tip. E-mail tom@kidtips.com. Tom McMahon is a nationally syndicated columnist, professor of psychology and author.
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