Monday, January 5, 2009

Back to the Daily Grind! With a Question....

Back to school today! Back to the lovely kiddos that are now in a robotic "You MUST PASS T*A*K*S" mode for the next few months.....(and I wonder why 4 kids were absent today).....only one thing was different - my super large belly that made it a wee bit harder to "move & shake" through my teaching day like I normally do. The kiddos didn't notice. All they understand is choosing A,B,C, or D and how their left arm will fall off if they don't choose the correct one.

Anyway, upon returning to my school, I was hit with a reality. And it was a reality that Boog & I, just two weeks ago, sat pondering in the middle of the Toys'R'Us aisle, as dozens of glassy-eyed, mommas and daddies lurked around trying to find THE toy that would make their child swoon.

Reality #1. One of my students literally wouldn't let me get two feet away from her without pointing out her biggest and bestest Christmas gift - a pair of boots from Payless. I'm sure the things maybe cost a twenty spot. Maybe. She was so proud.

Reality #2. Hearing adults talking about their Christmas's and how one got their second grader a cell phone that would make any teenager proud (....a phone!....a 2nd grader!)......and how another one's son got a brand new truck on Christmas Eve and barely said thank you......the stories went on and on.

Reality question. How can I stop the insanity? I've got a daughter who's young enough now to where I haven't damaged her "materially" too much.....(but certainly having 3 different times of opening Christmas presents in less than 2 days is not the best way to nip in the bud a kid's desire for stuff.) And Boog & I have not been the type parents to buy Grace a ton of toys, but she certainly lacks for nothing due to birthday/holiday gift bombardments.

So, again, how to stop the gravy train of materialism? When is too much, too much?

Boog & I really did stand in Toys'R'Us for about 30 minutes while we were Christmas shopping for Grace and had this exact discussion. What values did we want to pass down to Grace? What memories do we want her to have of Christmas? And Sophie? .......we didn't answer it in the store, but it left an impression on me.

So for, I guess, my New Year's Resolution....since I never make any....I resolve to seek an answer this year to that question. I want Grace to grow up knowing the value of a dollar, knowing that the "no's" in life sometime define your character way more than the "yes's", knowing she's more valuable than the latest pair of Ugg boots, being compassionate about and caring for those with far less, and being appreciative of what she does

I've got a lot of thinking to do.

Bible Journey: Numbers 7:1-10:1


Miz Jean said...

Hi there. I just found your blog from Kelly's blog and I LOVE this post. We have been having some of the same discussions for our family and Christmas expenses. Our daughter is 2 with another child due in May. Christmas is terribly challenging. There's so much pressure to "show" kids how much we love them based on what gift they receive. I'm glad to know I am not the only one who sees the value in a few "no's" here and there!

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