Simple Christmas List-Want, Need, Wear and Read
I read a great article by Bridget Doyle of the Chicago Tribune on parents dealing with their children's Christmas gift expectations. In the piece many different parents give their tips and ideas on how to deal with this problem.
On idea jumped out at me. It was from Tina Peterson, mother of 3, she gets a short wish lists from her kids with four items: one want, one need, one wear, one read.
In the article she says, "I heard about the strategy a long time ago and thought it was excellent, "If you give too much, expectations are too high. The best thing you can do as a parent is not spoil your kids."
And thats what she gets them 4 things and done. For so many families budgets are tight right now, don't be afraid to keep it simple. I would also put a limit on what you can spend on each item and tell the kids what that number is so they know the budget and keep their expectations in check.
So if you want to try this remember
On idea jumped out at me. It was from Tina Peterson, mother of 3, she gets a short wish lists from her kids with four items: one want, one need, one wear, one read.
In the article she says, "I heard about the strategy a long time ago and thought it was excellent, "If you give too much, expectations are too high. The best thing you can do as a parent is not spoil your kids."
And thats what she gets them 4 things and done. For so many families budgets are tight right now, don't be afraid to keep it simple. I would also put a limit on what you can spend on each item and tell the kids what that number is so they know the budget and keep their expectations in check.
So if you want to try this remember
One thing they want-(toy, video game, something with an apple on it that fits in the budget..etc)
One thing they need-(School stuff, Work stuff, Boring stuff but needed stuff)
One thing they wear-(shirt, jacket, dress, shoes with lights or wheels in the heel) and
One thing they read- (Favorite Topic, author or autobiography hopefully about someone old enough to have done something to write a book about)
Lets not forget there is a reason for the season and it has nothing to do with what they sell at the mall.
One thing they need-(School stuff, Work stuff, Boring stuff but needed stuff)
One thing they wear-(shirt, jacket, dress, shoes with lights or wheels in the heel) and
One thing they read- (Favorite Topic, author or autobiography hopefully about someone old enough to have done something to write a book about)
Lets not forget there is a reason for the season and it has nothing to do with what they sell at the mall.
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