Trending
You better watch out -- you better not cry -- I am telling you why -- Santa is coming to town !!
Just think how many times you have used that expression with your children when they were young? Telling them that they must be good because Santa is watching them etc. Now the question is what do you as a parent use the rest of the year in order to get them to behave. Children in general need to have rules and regulations to abide by starting at an early age.
I enjoy watching the small children in line waiting to see Santa and sit on his lap to tell him what they would like him to bring them for Christmas.
However, many hesitate to go near Santa and refuse to go close to him and some even with tears in their eyes. As they get older this usually changes and they can't wait to visit Santa to give him their long list of toys they would like for him to leave under the Christmas tree. When your child believes in Santa Claus it so exciting to watch the reactions and sparkles in their eyes with excitement and anticipation -- (they are so thrilled and innocent and happy).
Many years have gone by now but I can still remember the excitement of our grandchildren and they could not wait for Santa to come to town. I would give anything to relive those days but unfortunately our youngest grandchild is now 11 years old and the oldest 20 1/2.
We were waiting for our four college grandchildren to come home and other four to start their Christmas vacation so we can execute one of our many long time Christmas family traditions.
The most popular and favorite one is when we have all eight grandkids here and around a large table ready to make their own pan of Baklava from scratch including baking it etc. (Making baklava is not as simple as one might think considering there are a lot of steps to making it correctly.)
The next favorite little tradition is when they draw names and exchange gifts between them not knowing whose name they have. LOL
It is very important to build traditions with your children and grandchildren at a young age in hopes that they will carry them on throughout their lives.
Children make Christmas extra special and magic with believing in Santa but please emphasize the true meaning of Christmas which I am sure you all do.
It seems that most children have everything anymore and when we ask them what they would like for Christmas they either tell you that they do not know and leave you hanging or they come up with a terrible expensive item.
Kids need to realize, like we said before, You have to work and earn your money and save them and when you need something they're available for you. And always save some for rainy days. ( Of course it's hard for kids to understand that) but they will ,when they get older and they will remember what you told them. So this Christmas season if you haven't had a chance, it's a perfect time to teach them something that they will always remember," share your wealth with others, help the less fortunate, and lets find a family with children and buy toys for them.
See what they will tell you. Do you think they would like to participate in the day of giving? There is places all over town that you can donate toys , and teach them that it's not how much we can get for ourselves, but share. Plus Christmas is love, family, church (take them to Christmas church plays, live nativities, take them caroling (Two weeks ago the PHS Acapella choir went to different developments including ours and sang Christmas Carols how incredible, and last Wednesday they had their annual Concert, it was wonderful, incredible and for sure brought you to the Christmas spirit my granddaughter Athena is a member of the Acapella and my other granddaughter Zoe is also in the choir, I'm proud of them ...
Just for fun I went to the Mall and stopped where Santa was, and the lines were a mile long (that is an expression) with little ones dress up with fancy dresses and little boys with a suit and tie ready to take picture with Santa. Poor Santa hot as can be with his hot costume, I could tell what he was thinking let me go home, I'm tired of asking all those little ones what they want for Christmas, if they listen to their parents, if they are good boys and girls LOL. The funniest thing was when a little boy pulled Santa's beard, everyone start laughing while Santa was embarrassed as can be. Let's do our part as parents and grandparents besides the gifts that you're going to buy for them, hug them and tell them how much you love them, advise them, and protect them.
They will feel secure and safe as we all know It is a different world out there from what we grew up it is scary for sure. I'm sure it's hard for the little ones and what goes through their minds.
So this special season don't he's to tell your little angels how important they are, give them love and affection, Praise them.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
Till Next Year