survived Christmas with kids (long)
We just got back from 6 days at my SIL's house. I've mentioned before, it's Kid Central there. Our niece and nephew are 4 and 7 and have every toy known to man.
In an attempt to avoid an IF-related break down, I asked DH to do the kids' present shopping. I just couldn't handle toy stores. And he actually did it, bless him.
We spent Fri and Sat playing with the kids, who are super sweet and funny. Our niece likes to crawl in my lap and cuddle, which is awesome and kills me at the same time. I had to take breaks and hide out in the guest room sometimes.
Then on Christmas Eve, I realized DH hadn't wrapped any gifts. So I found myself wrapping up a Barbie. And then the tears started. I was trying not to be a dramatic freak, but I couldn't stop. DH felt bad. I know it frustrates him when I'm sad and he can't do anything for me. But I had to cry it out and pull myself together.
After the kids went to bed, my SIL and BIL started hauling out the goods. It amazes me how much they spend. The 7 year old got a flat screen TV and blu-ray player!! Both kids got iPod Touches! On top of dozens of toys. It kind of sickens me. I had to go to bed early and get away from the consumer orgy.
I really love DH's family. And they live far away, so I'm happy that we can spend time with them and catch up over the holidays. But being there is so hard for me. If I had kids, I would make Christmas about crafts and fun traditions, not about shopping.
IF sucks. I want my own family to share Christmas with. Hopefully by next year.
Hope you ladies made it through unscathed and had happy holidays!
Re: survived Christmas with kids (long)
That's nuts that a 7 yr old got a flat screen and blu ray. Does a 4 yr old even know what to do with an Itouch?
Anyway-- I also spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my sister's kids. They are 3 and 5. My dad brought our old Lionel train set for them to play with and he set it up on Christmas Eve day. My sister and I used to play with it all the time with our smurfs riding on the trains around the tree. I LOVED this set. It saddened me to see my dad setting it up for them thinking he may never set it up for my kids...
I do have a funny story though-- my sister's kids hardly ever go to church- as far as I know only for Christmas and Easter. My sister told my 3 yr old niece that she needed to put on a dress for church because it was Jesus' birthday. My niece's response "oh, is his birthday at Chuckie Cheese??" I could not stop laughing..
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This is priceless. Kids come up with the best stuff. My nephew told us all that his mom has gotten pulled over 4 times by the cops and gotten speeding tickets twice! I'm sure she wants everyone in the family to know about that.
But yeah, an iPod for a kid who can't even read is ridiculous. And they have a 4 bedroom house with a flat screen TV in every room, so it not like the 7 year old didn't already have lots of TV options. The best part is, they're always complaining about their credit card debt.
I'm glad for the most part you had a good time over the holidays, especially being around the kiddies, but WOW, can you say spoiled? I'm 40 and I don't have an ipod touch (just a regular old nano) or a blueray player. DH & I just got a flat screen for our room a few weeks ago with part of my Christmas bonus. I do know that it is hard not to spoil your little ones, but I do try hard. Our little man's big gifts were hockey skates, a sesame street playset and the little people car wash. To me Christmas is about Jesus and family. The gifts are just a bonus, not the focus.
Thank you, ladies, for the reality check. I was starting to think I was the only one who disagrees with spending thousands of dollars on Christmas. My DH laughs it off and says his sister has always been a big spender.
We used to buy a few things for the kids, but our gifts went unnoticed and un-played with. So we decided just to get them each one small thing this year. A Barbie for the 4 year old (Though she already has 30 of them, I counted!) and some kind of laser tag gun for the 7 year old.
I think next year we'll buy them each a savings bond to try and teach them about managing money! : )