Giving your children the gift of love for Christmas

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with coworkers about Christmas gifts for our children.  We were going back and forth about what our kids wanted and what we were willing, or able to buy.

One lady in the group made a comment that hit an emotional nerve in me.  She said she wished she was able to get her kids more (in terms of toys).  Her children are very young, she has 4 boys.

I felt her disappointment that she was financially not able to get her children an abundance of “stuff” and that it really bothered her.

So I went down the list of what she does give her children:

   
1. Love
   
2. A home and a loving one at that.
   
3. She’s married, so their father is in the home.
   
4. Both parents work, so they are setting an amazing example for their children.  (Especially boys).
   
5. They are both spiritual.
   
6. She and her husband parent their children, providing discipline and boundaries.
   
7. She and hubby, love each other, another good example.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.  I let her know that giving your children material “stuff” isn’t what makes them happy, especially in the long term.

Kids are happy when they are loved. Period.

So please don’t stress yourself out by trying to meet everything on their Christmas list.  I have been there and it’s all too much and unnecessary.  Instead think about what you already give that is intangible, but everlasting.

Our children most likely have more “stuff” than we ever had.  In some instances, we are probably more financially secure than our parents.  What is missing are all the things our parents gave, that don’t cost a thing.

So have a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (whatever your preference is) and remember to give your kids love.   That is what they really need.