Im tired of this season and it only just startd

[elananme]

Im not a grinch, im not a scrooge, I just have come tohate christmas.  You have to understand i have few great memories from my childhood and many of those include food and televisions cspecials.  i want to give my children chrsitmas memories they will cherish and i can t even buy a tree.  Im am tired of hearing women brag about how much that new whatever cost and how much so and so spent on clothes for her already spoiled rotten child.  How horrible is it that my 8 year old when sh e wrote her first real wish list she asked for cheap things that she knew we could afford instead of asking for the things she really wants.  Iam not askign for charity casue to me christmas isnt supposed to be about how much money you spend on gifts but how much love you put into those gifts i just get tired of hearing the snobby women at school who already make fun of my children because i cant afford name brand tennis shoes and clothes, i dont drive a 100000 dollar car or live in a house ( i live in a mobile home) and because i actually have to work to provide what little luxuries i can give my children.  dont get me wrong i dont begrudge them their success and material things i am sure they too worked hard for those things but i really wish they wouldnt endeavor to make the rest of the world feel insignificant because i cant buy my daughter the science kit she really wants or the telescope she has been asking ofr for years or the music lessons she has been begging for that she didnt ask for this year because even though we dont talk about those things in front of her she the astute little thing she is just knows that we cant afford them.  so she asked for sensible things like books and clothes and a new barbie doll and a few barbie clothes.  for her brother she asked for clothes and hot wheels (cause those are his favortie) and a new stuffed puppy for him cause he lvoes puppys.  I am going to do my best to get them the things they really want and hope that what i can grant is enough and try to teach her that life isnt about how much more than every body else you have but how much more you love everyone else around you.  bah humbug and merry christmas

[barbaragresko]

Dec. 8, 2007 at 11:33 PM

It sounds to me that you are giving your family more than money could buy!!!!  Don't worry about what others say, you are giving your children the gift of Christmas LOVE!!!!

Have a Happy, Healthy holiday season!

Barb

[pat1059]

Dec. 8, 2007 at 11:39 PM

Wow, you sound tired and defeated.  Wish I could give you a hug.  You start out talking about giving your kids good childhood Christmas memories.  It is really an inside job.  I grew up without a lot of money but never really knew it because my parents never made us feel it.  Things like making holiday cookies or driving around looking at Christmas lights or caroling- those family activities...  Things that bring the family together in a special and fun way are the things that kids remember.  Today my daughter who is 17 was asking my husband and I what our favorite Christmas present was when we were growing up.  I remembered this blow up reindeer- mostly because of a picture...  My husband had no special gift he remembered.  It really isn't about the presents.  This year my husband has had alot of serious health problems.  I was so happy to be doing a holiday activity today as a family together- because I don't know if if I will have him next year.  I really do understand the pain of your not being able to provide your kids with "stuff".  I am the Santa that connects over 300 abused kids to donors to get stuff.  I can tell you that they would give up their stuff in a second for parents that loved them.

Just another perspective.  Have a great holiday.  Don't know if you are religious, but if you are, hope you enjoy the celebration of the birth of Jesus, as that is the true meaning of the holiday for me.

Pat

[Esperanza2031]

Dec. 9, 2007 at 12:13 AM Please don't let the world defeated you, Christmas is a time for blessings and being thankful, and right now you can't see it but you are blessed in so many ways. Gift are always forgotten but love will be in our children heart  for ever.  I know it's hard sometimes but think positive no matter what and you will see changes in your life. Three things that makes us all the same is hope, faith, and love.  Have a great Christmas to you and your family. 

[mali1506]

Dec. 9, 2007 at 2:03 AM

Don't let the hustle and bustle of the holidays get you down. Just think back to when you were a kid it wasn't the toys you were getting that excited you. It is the joy of coming down christmas morning and seeing anything under the tree and the merriment of spending time with family. In the end it won't be the stuff you get your kids that matters it will be the love they felt and the memories that were shared. I know I didn't always get what I wanted I was lucky if I got anything but i was just happy to have a family that cared about me.

[twinpicks]

Dec. 9, 2007 at 4:46 AM

yes, I agree , I don't celebrate Christmas but Hanukah, nevertheless my son came home and told me every child gets a few hundred $ for Hanukah , what about me.. I was livid, anyhow I gave him a little bit more than ever b4 the following day and he was very happy.  Im doing my best too and so long as he enjoys his holiday thats the most important thing..

Still unfortunately the holiday season has become all about marketing and greed we have to instil in our children other values and hope they accept and understand in time.

Anyhow hope you enjoy being with your family over your holiday..