Well it’s that time of year again.  Time for the parents to go broke to get the kids all these toys that they want from the TV commercials! Well I’ve been through that over 25 times (until they finished college) and I have some advice that could save you lots of money and heartache dealing with the children.  If your kids are adults, you’ll understand!

First of all, the kids need a limit of toys.  I know we want them to have more than what we had, but really.. we had maybe 2 toys!  So 3 toys would be more than what we had!  If you tell your kids they can get 5 toys, then you’ll see what’s really important to them.  That’s what you focus on.  Anything else would be a bonus.  How many times have they opened a gift and played with it once.  But stayed on the playstation for 10 days!  Not looking at anything else.  Stop wasting money on all those little things they don’t care about.  It’s more for the parents than the kids.

Be honest with them if your funds can’t get everything they want.  I know a lot of parents struggle everyday.  And you wonder how you will get the kids the gifts they want.  Kids ask for it because they think you can afford it!  If you be honest with your kids before Christmas and let them know that you can’t afford certain items, (if you raised them right) they will understand and their expectations won’t be so big.  Then if you are able to get more, its a bonus.  I remember one year I really couldn’t afford to get them  a  lot, but they ALWAYS had great Christmases.  They were incredibly understanding which blew me away.  But after Christmas, once bills were paid, I splurged on them, because they understood.

In short, Christmas has been commercialized and marketed to make kids think its about the toys and the gifts when it’s really not.  It’s about the birth of our Lord and Savior.  It’s about giving to the needy, and it’s about rejoicing.  If your kids seem ungrateful, take them to any homeless shelter and let them see how excited those kids are who only get one toy!  We as parents are the culprits. We are the ones who spoil our kids with “things” and they don’t get the true meaning until the “things” aren’t involved.  So this year, don’t go broke on one day.  Babies won’t even know it’s Christmas new Moms.  They already have lots of toys they never play with.  lol.. But I know it’s hard to not buy them everything.  But that’s for you.. not them, because they don’t know.

Cherish the day, and let the kids know the true meaning of Christmas.  And if you can do something for a child who has nothing, ask your child to give away one toy to a child who won’t get anything. They will certainly understand the true meaning and the value of Christmas if they do.

Hugs & Kisses

The Real Mommie Teresa