Gifts for kids | Filed under General
As we approach the end of this year I would like to share with you something that touched my heart. As adults do we really know what kids around us want, we think of course we do and off we go to spend money and purchase gifts for them but many times that is not at all what they are asking for, needing and most of all wanting. I had a very short visit with an old friend over the holidays, she is now a Principal in the school systems around here. During our visit, she shared some of the same things I had heard from one of my favorite bloggers, Brian, who is also involved in the day to day school environment.
As we begin this year and if children are involved you might want to take to heart something I received in an e-mail and will share with you. Gifts Kids want….
Listen To Me Please: At the top of their lists is for we parents to stop being so busy all the time and just listen to them talk. I know I have been guilty of this one. God knows, we really are not interested in hearing about the latest unpronounceable character in their Harry Potter books, but we need to stop, look them in the eye, and listen. If we don’t, they will simply stop trying. And we all know that the teenage days will come when they won’t want to discuss anything with us, be it Harry Potter or their newly hairy pits.
Teach Me To Cook: I was surprised by this request, but when I pressed for an explanation, it quickly became clear. We are raising a generation of Microwave Kids. They know how to use every button on the magic box, but have no idea how to simmer, bake or boil. Granted, there is great messiness in allowing your youngsters to cook with you, but take it from me, some of my happiest memories are in the kitchen with my Mom, dusted with flour and smudged with love.
Please Stop Smoking: One child spoke this wish and it was quickly echoed by many others. They have seen enough commercials to be truly concerned about your health and their own, but it goes a bit further than that. One young girl pulled me aside and whispered her reason in my ear, “The other kids say I always smell bad.” I hugged her close and bent to kiss her head and she was right. Her hair did not smell of Johnson & Johnson’s, but of Benson & Hedges. Not her choice and certainly not fair.
Stop Being So Busy All The Time: If guilt were a color, I would have been painted with it when I heard this one. How many of us use the phrase, “Just a minute . . .” or “Hold on . . .” too much? Personally, there have been too many times I have looked up after “just a minute” to find my child has given up waiting and is gone.
Read TO Me: We tend to think that once a child can read, our job is done. Actually, these children expressed a desire to have Mom or Dad read a chapter book TO them each night. And while they would really enjoy the reading, it leads to a deeper desire . . . the other request that made me choke back a tear . . .
Hug Me More: I experience these children each week when I enter the classrooms. They cling to me tighter than a wet pair of Levi’s. They are the ones that are not getting enough hugs and snuggling and attention at home. For them, I hug them not once, not twice, but as much and as long as they need.
So remember, rich or poor, they are all things that cost not a dime and we all have in endless supply. We just have to stop and open our arms and hearts a little wider. Now do you have any excuse, we all have or can find some time to make someone’s life a little better. Yes Life Is Simply Good at Always Victoiria’s Place and I want to make it better in some small way for myself and others. May you find a reason to smile today I have many times.
Copyright 2000 by Linda M. Sharp. Reprinted with permission.
Linda Sharp is an internationally published author and columnist who writes regularly on the joyous and frustrating world of parenting. Her work appears across the Internet and wraps around the globe in parenting publications from Canada to Malaysia to all points in between.
Linda is co-creator of the award-winning website, Sanity Central — A Time Out From Parenting! Located at http://www.sanitycentral.com, and her latest book, Stretchmarks On My Sanity - The Growing Pains of Raising A Family, has earned her rave reviews and comparisons to Erma Bombeck. She may be reached via email at lsharp03@aol.com.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:24 pm
Congratulations on making the top 10..good luck. my votes for you.
December 28th, 2004 at 9:28 pm
I’m so excited you made it to the top 10!!!
That was a really great thing to post! *HUGS*
December 28th, 2004 at 10:27 pm
Let them who have ears, hear. That’s very well said, Ms. Linda M. Sharp; very well said. Hey.
December 29th, 2004 at 2:09 am
Antoher awesome post! I’m proud to say I can cross the ‘quit smoking’ off the list
December 29th, 2004 at 5:42 am
my mom always listens to me, and my dad after I get him a beer!
Congratulations with the Bob awards, Sweet N Sassy!
December 29th, 2004 at 10:51 am
OMG, this so hit home! My 12 year old has wanted her father to stop smoking forever now and it really upsets her and I don’t know what to do to convince him should at least smoke outdoors if he is unwilling to quit. I’m afraid it will cause great strain if I insist he do this. I have asked him repeatedly not to smoke around the kids and he obliges when I am home, but when I leave to go to work he smokes anywhere and anytime he pleases. This really upsets her! She also has wanted to cook and bake a lot and this I have helped her with, but it is so true. She told me just the other night she wished I had more time to listen to her and help her with things!
WOW!!!!!
December 29th, 2004 at 11:05 am
Congrats!! Nice to be in such good company! Good Luck!
Love and Light
December 30th, 2004 at 3:41 am
Yes, of course, congrats on the BoB’s nomination. You KNOW that I’ll be pimping for votes for you YET again. And, about this post…It is simply spectacular! I do feel like I am a good mother. I enjoy listening to them. And playing with them. And reading TO them. But I can always be better, and you have reminded me JUST how important it is to keep my eyes on the “prize”. Thanks! Again.
June 25th, 2005 at 11:43 pm
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