big sister "helping" little sister find her way around her new water cup...
we (well, technically i, but on behalf of we, since i've been the only one with enough head-space to be pondering such things during the last couple of months) have decided to establish a pattern of christmas giving for our family, to guide our purchasing habits and our (especially the girls') expectations into the future.
each year, husband and i will give our kids a present for the whole family to share - this year, that is the little play kitchen from yesterday's post. we will then also give each child some books and something handmade - this year, i'm making the girls some clothes. we want our family to see and experience christmas as a time for simple, thoughtful living, just like the rest of the year. we especially want to make sure that the generosity shown at christmas time is not confused with or an excuse for greed - in terms of the amount our children expect to receive, but even more so about what we decide to buy for them. we also hope that by the "main" present being communal, we can help foster in our children a healthy personal detachment to their stuff and that sharing for them will become as natural as breathing.
i am already grateful for this pattern we have chosen, as it has helped me defeat several "keeping up with the jones's" kind of thoughts - "no, big sister does not need a balance bike this christmas, just because her 2 little besties each have one - then she'd probably ignore the 2 bikes she already has and loves!" i still have a lot to learn for myself about fighting the constant urge to get more stuff, but i'm hoping that i can learn and teach simplicity simultaneously...
each year, husband and i will give our kids a present for the whole family to share - this year, that is the little play kitchen from yesterday's post. we will then also give each child some books and something handmade - this year, i'm making the girls some clothes. we want our family to see and experience christmas as a time for simple, thoughtful living, just like the rest of the year. we especially want to make sure that the generosity shown at christmas time is not confused with or an excuse for greed - in terms of the amount our children expect to receive, but even more so about what we decide to buy for them. we also hope that by the "main" present being communal, we can help foster in our children a healthy personal detachment to their stuff and that sharing for them will become as natural as breathing.
i am already grateful for this pattern we have chosen, as it has helped me defeat several "keeping up with the jones's" kind of thoughts - "no, big sister does not need a balance bike this christmas, just because her 2 little besties each have one - then she'd probably ignore the 2 bikes she already has and loves!" i still have a lot to learn for myself about fighting the constant urge to get more stuff, but i'm hoping that i can learn and teach simplicity simultaneously...
:: on another note, yesterday husband completed the last requirement for his masters, and today little sister has commenced eating solids (pear). beginnings and endings. ::
1 comment:
You're a wise one Em. I especially like the communal focus. Over here we are trying to think about toys in terms of what might last long term to be played with by another generation. Haven't thought specifically about this Christmas but I might do that now, given it's with the whole family. Thankfully each adult is only getting one gift. Kids may get bombarded though...
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