You know that song, ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’? Well, I’m changing the lyrics to “It’s the most stressful time of the year”! Hello, it’s already Novemeber! In another month, I will be expected to make all the dreams and wishes of 4 small children come true. No pressure!
Soon the stores will be all a buzz with christmas carols, filled with all kinds of sparkly decorations and I’ll be hauling my kids to the Mall Santa demanding that they all smile at the same time... even if they don’t feel like it.
I find, at this time of year, the kids get the “gimmes” at our house. Every commercial, I hear “I want that” or “Can you buy me that?”. So, I have instilled a rule where the kids are not allowed to tell us they want things that they see on the tv.
They, of course, figured out a way around this. So now, when a commercial comes on and they want the product, instead of saying anything, they make this horrific gasping sound. I must have a panic attack at least 3 times a day thinking one of them is choking to death in the tv room, but really it’s just an ad for Barbie Video Girl or Paper Jamz.
I tell them to remember the things they want and they can make a list for Santa. I figure, if they remember something long enough that it makes it on the list, they actually want it.
In an effort to try and balance out the giving and the receiving and to put those greedy tendencies in check, we talk about people who are less fortunate, families who can’t afford the things that we can. Then, I take them to Walmart and let them each pick out a toy to donate to Toy Mountain and some canned goods for the Food Bank.
While we are there, I let them peruse the toy section and point out the items on their wish list, so I know what I need to go back and get and exactly where it is. That way, there is no wondering if it’s the blue Beyblade or the red one, the bunny Zooble or the monkey.
Then, the pressure is all on me. Like most parents, I try to attain that perfect, joyous, as-seen-on-tv holiday. So, I tell them not to be greedy, and then I stress about getting them everything they want... mixed messages much?
I don’t have a huge budget, and those lists can get pretty long, like I said, it’s a greedy time of year. So, to alleviate some of my stress, I farm some of the items out to family. Anyone who asks what my kids want, I tell them one item that's on my list. That way they give a gift the kids want and my list gets smaller.
So, how do you make your kids wish lists and make sure they get what they want without going overboard? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks to having a happy holiday, so leave a comment and help a mamma out.
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If you’ll recall, in my last blog, I offered up this space to anyone who had an idea for giving back.
Thank-you for your responses.
The Kindness Revolution is in full swing now, and the #bekind messages on Twitter are so inspiring. I read them everyday morning; it’s a good way to start the day. So, I’ve decided that not only will I share your ideas for giving back, I will perform each one before Christmas. I came up with a few of my own ideas too.
I give you The Twelve (good) Deeds Of Christmas
1. Angela suggested that I take the kids the SPCA to play with the animals. I still have to call around and see which one will allow the kids to go in and play with the animals.
2. Karen and Jaime both offered up Operation Christmas Child. On November 17th, the girls and I will be going to pack shoe boxes with school supplies and small gifts to be sent to a needy child.
3.Paula gave me the idea to go caroling and ask for donations of change to be given to
a local charity. Eleanor is going to love this!
4. Kim2 had an interesting idea. She suggested that I help someone in my own
backyard, and by that she means, I find a local family in need and gather donations
for them. Then I become their own personal secret Santa... that’s right! I’m going to
make their Christmas... and they don’t even know me.
5. Lisa (and Diane) suggested volunteering at a soup kitchen, something I have always
wanted to do. I still have to look into this one and find out where I can do it.
6. You know I’m going to take part in the Cocktail Deeva’s Heeling Hunger campaign.
Hello! Shoes! Best way to give back EVER!
7. We already made a food bank donation last month, and the month before, and the
month before that... you get the idea. We will make another Christmas donation too.
8. I contacted the Halton Women’s Shelter, and I am going to go through my closet and
donate them to the women there.
9. @Foodplayground responded to my blog via Twitter and asked if the kids would like
to help mail out copies of Cupcakes For Haiti. The answer is YES!
10. On Tuesdays, my daughter is home from kindergarten and I have my friend’s
daughter with me for the day. Next Tuesday we are on Litter Patrol! We are going to
take a garbage bag to the park behind the house and clean up... and then play at
the park
11. Every year, I volunteer at a charity hockey event in my home town. It’s organized be
my father (a 2-time cancer survivor) and all proceeds go to Cancer Assistance
Services of Hallton Hills (CASHH). This year, I am taking on some new
responsibilities including selling advertising in the program and looking for donations
for their silent auction.
12. I left this one till the end, because it’s a little more personal. You see, this year, my
childhood neighbor passed away leaving behind her husband of more than 30
years. He still lives beside my parents, and he lives on his own, so I am going to
bake him some cookies and drop them off and visit.
Join me in my quest to Be Kind. I think this list proves that you can give back without having to spend a lot of money, and if I can do all 12 of these before Christmas, you can do at least one.
YES! That is a challenge! Get out there, do something, then come back here and tell me about it.
I look forward to hearing about your good deeds.
A couple months ago, I went to the local food bank to drop off donations. While I was there, I mentioned that our kids had volunteered at the Ottawa Food bank during Winterlude and what a great experience it was. I asked if they could come volunteer with them some time, and the lady said they didn’t allow young kids in the warehouse, but there was a day in November where they would have a huge drive and, if I watched over the kids, they could take part.
I went home and marked the date on the calendar and then Tom and I made arrangements with the “other” parents to be sure the kids would be here. We worked it in around swimming class and gymnastics lessons.
So, the day arrived, and we packed up all four (very excited) kids. I was thrilled that they were going to have this wonderful day of supporting their community. I remembered how the girls had talked for days after Winterlude about people who didn’t have enough food. This was going to be a life lesson on giving, and on how fortunate we are... or so I thought.
Instead, it was a lesson on disappointment and how, sometimes, even the best laid plans don’t work out.
We were turned away. They told us it was too dangerous. They did say we could fold bags, but also pointed out the tables where other kids were supposed to be folding bags and how they didn’t really have anything to do; bag folding was pretty much taken care of.
We left with heavy hearts.
Now, I don’t want to give the food bank a bad name, that’s not my intention. The food bank does amazing work and provides so much for so many people. I think it’s a wonderful organization. I just wish they had told us no right off the bat instead of letting me get the kid’s hopes up.
Maybe you know of an organization that will accept young kids as volunteers? If so, please let me know. I really want them to be involved and to give back to the community.
Thanks
PS. So many people are taking part in the BE KIND Revolution, put into motion by Sharon and Candace, and some how my name was lucky enough to get lumped in with theirs. I have loved all of the inspiring messages from people and the wonderful ideas that people have come up with in order to give back. I have been thinking about what I can do.
I’m on maternity leave, so giving a monetary donation is out. I have 4 kids, so nothing with a huge time commitment will do, but I thought maybe I could donate this space. I would like to offer my blog up to you. Please email me ([email protected]) with your ideas for giving back, or the stories of what you are doing to be kind, and I will post them all here on my blog. Maybe we can inspire more people to take part.
I’m going to start by sharing this inspirational video from the Cocktail Deeva.
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