How can I tell my children (teenagers all girls except for the4 year old) that due to?

Question

the amount of bills this month, I won't be able to get gifts until the paycheck after Christmas. This is the first year this has happened. I am a struggling single parent please help. I want to give them the its better to have a roof over our head story but I know thats not going to work.

Answer 1

I had a rough xmas as well when I was raising my teenagers.they are now in early 20's. I wrote a card for each of them.Alloted the amount of money I was going to spend on them when I did get my pay check.I told them we would have a family day on that day. and told the older girl.you get more for your money after xmas.so she could buy more stuff.that since became a yearly tradition. i would ask what do you want for xmas and they would say popcorn and a movie we can all watch..And on xmas eve, we would watch a movie together,( one that tells the true meaning of xmas)and xmas day we played games went to parks,everyone wrote down something they wanted to do that day and we did it.the days after xmas we went shopping.I simply gave them money in a card.now that they are older,lol barely out of the teenage years..i ask what would you like for xmas..they say take you shopping like you took us.I always decline but they take me to dinner or something fun .It will be ok , because you will see later..your children will come back to say thanx for all youve done .they know more than we think they do.

Answer 2

Isnt there any way that you can borrow some money from someone and pay them back with your check after Christmas? Or buy things from a magazine that sends you a bill after Christmas. Pay your bills a week late? I wish you the best of luck but you knew for a whole year that Christmas was coming, you should have prepared better so the kids wont have to go without a Christmas. If its absolutely necessary that you postpone Christmas im sure that the teenagers will understand but how do you explain this to a 4 year old without ruining the whole Santa thing? I do know what its like to not have the money for Christmas but please find a way to atleast get them something little to open. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Well, Hea K has a gr8 answer but I have been in the same predicament and you know what I did, I asked my 3 girls if they loved it when presents would show up after x-mas was over and all 3 said absolutely. Just when you figure it's all done with, surprise! Another present!

I would let them know that since you are going x-mas shopping late this year, no way around it, that you will be able to buy them more things because everything will be on sale if they can hold their horses for a few more days. Bless your heart Mom for worrying so much. I sometimes wish that Christmas wasn't so hard on parents like you. Bless your heart and Merry x-mas.

Answer 4

Why don't you just have two christmas's. One you can celebrate Jesus's birth with a big meal and the other can be done with the presents and play with them for the day. Explain the situation to them and let them know that they will be able to celebrate two days. Get the 4 year old a couple of little things from the dollar store to open. They do not understand all of that. Remind them it is not all about the presents.

Answer 5

in case you're making your daughter wait until eventually shes 18 she'll finally end up rebelling and merely being an entire slut and you'd be wanting truthfully no say in it for the reason which you will in no way meet the lads because of the fact shes no longer allowed to "date". Wow 12 ?! whilst my boy chum exchange into 12 he had in no way even talked to a girl long sufficient to start relationship her, a 12 3 hundred and sixty 5 days old boy is not any the place close to the right age to have a woman chum. he will finally end up being that boy from England who have been given a woman pregnant at 13. So solid luck with your infants

Answer 6

Explain to them that things aren't going so great for you right now, and that you & them will have an after Christmas Christmas. Tell them it will be fun and that it will be just like Christmas, just a few days after. Meanwhile, you can still take them ice skating or out to breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner on Christmas Day. If you can cook well, then you should even make a fancy Christmas meal yourself! Good luck breaking the news!

Answer 7

WOA well as much as you would like to explain to them & christmas isnt all about the gifts.....lets be real, they are teenagers, nothing you say is going to make them ok with it. even if they tell u they are fine, they arent. I would suggest maybe going to one of those cash advance places. Either that or scrimp on the bills, only send what you absolutely have to. Maybe call them & ask for an extension...pay them with the check after christmas, even offer to post date a check.

GOOD LUCK!


Oh then take their father to court & get some child support! Or call him to ask for some help???

Answer 8

Perhaps you can start a tradition of exchanging gifts on January 6th, which is the feast of the 3 Kings, when they gave gifts to the Christ Child. In many countries, this is the traditional day to exchange gifts. It also puts the focus back on Christmas as to the true reason for the day.

Answer 9

explain to them that Christmas isn't about gifts but about family. Let them know that sometimes things get tight and even though it's going to work out that Christmas might be late this year. Then spend Christmas doing something fun together, like watching movies and eating popcorn.

Answer 10

Go to the dollar store, a thrift shop, craft shop, where-ever and get them each a token gift, for just a dollar or two. Explain to them exactly what you told us- due to unexpected expenses, you'll be celebrating with more gifts after the new year. They may not be thrilled, but you're obligation as their mom is to keep them warm, dry and fed- and it sounds like you are doing a great job!