Battling the Gimmes
Do you dread the onslaught of toy commercials and ads that come around this time of year? If you aren’t streaming or fast-forwarding through them, you’ll hear, “I want that” after just about every single one. It was one of my daughter’s favorite phrases when we were stationed overseas with little to no toy selection. It’s not like she didn’t have toys, but the ads made those toys look better than the ones she had or could get locally. I’m sure you’re stepping over or on toys to tuck your child into bed, wondering when it’s enough or too much. With the holiday season quickly approaching and sales going on, it’s easy to get swept up in the “I wants.” However, if we want our kids to be grateful, we must show them what that looks like.
Reducing the Toy Clutter
There’s an abundance of great ideas to help limit the amount we buy. Some parents are opting to purchase an experience, a subscription to something, or lessons that give a child more than a few days of play. Instead of adding to the mountain of toys you must step over or dismantle, seek an alternative. Speaking of the mountain of toys, I’ve seen a few moms post about an idea they came up with. Their families each fill up a bag of items for Santa to pick up and “fix” to give to others. It’s a win-win! You’re clearing out space for new toys, and someone else can get gently used toys.
Practicing the Art of Generosity
If you decide to donate toys, I suggest discussing with your kids why it’s important. Help them understand that they are helping bring joy to others by giving. Focusing on how someone else will be happy to receive the item helps alleviate the sadness of giving it away. Moreover, remembering what it feels like to make someone happy is a great way to show that giving is better than receiving. On that note, it certainly helps to model this behavior and begin gathering your items. Talk about what those items have meant to you, but how you know someone else would enjoy their use more than you do now. Our example plays a role in what our kids learn! An excellent book to illustrate this is Freebies That Will Make a Difference
Parenting is teaching. We are teaching our kids through our behaviors, our responses, and the activities we participate in. According to all4kids.org, thankfulness or gratitude is wanting to thank or appreciate others for something good they did for you or made you feel. Let’s take a minute and remember that we should be grateful for our many blessings. I’ve created a couple of freebies for you and your kids to do together. You can do this as a family to get to know one another better while also working on what it means to be thankful.
These activities can also help you connect and get to know one another. The second activity is great for developing thankfulness for all we can do, but it also contributes to mindfulness, the skill of paying attention to what is happening in the present moment. When these characteristics are combined the treasure of thankfulness will abound.
May you all be blessed with an abundance to be thankful for throughout the year!