Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Reason I Hate Christmas
Today Dylan went to preschool. They had a little Christmas party and exchanged white elephant gifts. The instructions were to bring a $1 wrapped white elephant gift to the party. There are only three boys and six girls in his class so I figured I'd better play it safe and get a unisex gift. We ended up finding one of those packs of mini playdough containers that I thought would work for girls and boys. Apparently the teacher had the boys exchange and the girls exchange so we could've bought a dinosaur or something, but I didn't realize that's what they were doing. So the little kid who opened Dylan's gift yells out, "I don't want playdough." Nice! Dylan told me the whole story. He was a brat about it and the teacher politely told him that she was sorry but that was his gift. I asked Dylan what he did and he said, "I just gave it to him anyway." So cute and big of him. I hate stuff like this. I would've bought something different had they given different instructions, but what's a mom to do? You don't want your kid to be the one with the "crappy" gift. I was trying to follow what the teacher had instructed so all the gifts were similar. That's the whole reason they tell you a price. I hate that kids receive so much that they can't appreciate anything. It drives me crazy. My own kids have plenty, but we have tried really hard to help them appreciate what they have. We talk about how other kids don't have toys and some don't even have homes or clothes or food and Dylan always responds with some comment about wanting to take some of his toys to them. That's why we do it. I've been lucky. Dylan is a naturally excited person who so far enjoys and loves everything - presents big and small - and always thanks and shows appreciation. But I think part of that comes from our teaching. Kids do and say mean things all the time, but you have to help them through it. I'm so sick and tired of kids that don't even know what Christmas is truly about. It's all about "me me me" and how much they get. I struggle with the commercialization of Christmas, but fall victim to it to some degree, but my heavens. We're trying to get our kids to ponder the meaning of Christmas and maybe even get in some service this season. We're not in a position to do a sub for Santa, but when we are, that is something we will probably do. Anyway, I had to vent and share the first of probably many frustrating "spoiled kid" moments I will witness this season.
4 comments:
When things like that happen I want to beat the naughty little kid up. But because I don't want to spend the rest of my life in jail I don't!!
It sounds like Dylan wasn't upset about it, right? He is such a cutie being a big boy and I am sure very thankful for whatever he got. After all they are in preschool these things happen. Don't let it get you down.
All you can do is teach your own kids what you are already teaching them. I know I certainly try to teach them to be grateful and accept what is given to them. We also try to teach them about those that are less privileged. However, I have been at times disappointed with my own kids when they are not thankful or a bit of a 'snob' about what they have been given. This is a tough one. I think you are doing a good job and now we just have to hope our children will apply our teachings to their lives. They have to sort of learn to handle it. I think the teacher handled it well. I also agree with the above comment. And in addition, I think you are a good mom to your kids, they are lucky to have you and Marcos as parents and in turn my kiddos are lucky to have you as their aunt and uncle. Thanks...
OK... I have 'talked' to long, sorry! (((HUGS)))
Truth be told, I'm grateful we were on this end of it instead of on the throwing a fit over a toy end. It just made me mad...and sad I guess. I wish kids could see just how blessed they are.
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