My wife went out of her way to make sure that both of our children got not only what they needed, but what they wanted. Within a day none of that mattered! A lot of money spent for nothing! You can't buy LOVE!!!
What is your thinking about the commercialization of Christmas? I know God didn't mean for it to be this way!
2007-12-30 17:31:49 · 14 answers · asked by Working Man 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Maybe you could talk to your kids about giving back to those less fortunate than them. Maybe they could donate a toy or something to a local charity, hospital, or something so they now what it is all about.. It's not always what you get but what can you do to someone else... I think that it is getting more about what you get than what it is really about! I think we need to remind ourselves of this and teach our children younger. I think it's good that you love your kids so much, but maybe now you can teach them to give back!
2007-12-30 17:43:55 · answer #1 · answered by ~Katie~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sir, your not a bad father. Your kids are not spoiled. They just need to know the true meaning of Christmas! It's not about gifts it's the thought that counts! My friend got a guitar, ripstik, dog, and much more. I got 3 books and Rock Band and yet I love the books more than the game! It's true. My point is, tell your children about God, tell them that there are people in the world with nothing right now. Hope this helped!!!
2007-12-30 17:45:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have lost sight of what Christmas really represents by getting caught up in traditions just like Thanksgiving. I am not sure if your wife intended to "buy love" from your children, but may have been caught up in trying to appease them by buying all of the things they wanted and needed. Even if your children were not entirely deserving of the many gifts they received, Christmas is a time when people caught in traditions, forget about everything else. I wouldn't worry about this much, it will pass and reality will once again come into focus.
2007-12-30 17:44:38 · answer #3 · answered by C-love 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can make up for it, by having your kids pick out one or two things and give it away to charity. That way, you're teaching them a lesson. (Might not be too great for you, since you spent all that money). But you're absolutely right, The real meaning of CHRISTmas, has turned into a commercialized "holiday" for idol consumerism. There's always next year to change things up...
Goodluck and Happy New Year!
2007-12-30 17:37:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I so agree. Our pastor talked about that today. Part of it, I believe is keeping up with their friends families. I know one of my kids said today, when we asked him what a friend got for Christmas, "He didn't get much, just an MP3 player and some other stuff." These kids are old enough to know. It makes Christmas all about the almighty dollar and not about the true meaning of it. I was really sad about Christmas this year and that was a huge reason.
2007-12-30 17:37:13 · answer #5 · answered by I love the flipflops 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fact Christ wasn't born on December 25th, that was a Catholic Church declaration to bring the pagans into the church December 25th was THEIR Holiday of the Winter solstice.
Never ever in the Bible was gift giving called for. The wide men brought gifts to as a ruse to discover who was really born, a Christ, or just a child.
Gift giving was done by the now Cannonized Saint Nicolai/Nicolous, IE St Nick santa and so on. He used to get children into his home with candy and gifts, oh he was a Priest.
Now saying all this. If you want your children to be grateful and loving NEVER lie to them about the easter bunny and santa. Tell them as I did that its a old fairly tale and it's fun to play along. They will respect you when they are teenagers and realize you were always HONEST!
Giving gifts is ok if they pitch in on putting up that tree which I don't care for LOL. And act like they are supposed to. Nothing wrong with giving gifts. Just don't go broke doing it. Cut the credit cards up and don't buy gifts on credit. I Christmas shop in May literally, and by the time October is here I am done. Why? It's cheaper, prices rise the 5 to 6 months before December slowly. Then the so called sales are nothing more than regular prices, often. Shop Smart! If you buy all year and store them away or in layaway by the time October 1st is here you are done.
Children are taught to be grateful every day of their lives if you are smart. Not just once a year. I demand respect, and when given I return the favor. My boys talk to me and they hide nothing from me. Yes I am sure. Even their friends like me because I am INVOLVED in their lives. It's funny how many of their friends come to me for advice instead of their parents and when I ask the teenagers why me, they say "may parents don't care" this happens too often. Parents forget the one rule or factor. The kids had NO choice coming into this world, you made them. So till they are well into adulthood you need to put yourself and your wants aside and tend to theirs. That does NOT mean spoil them. That does NOT mean be their friend, they have enough friends, they need guidence and someone to trust, who will never lie to them. Someone who rules with common sense. This is why my 2 boys one soon to be 27 next month and one soon to be 25 in May respect me and this is why their friends still ask me for advice well into their 20's.
Why do I say all this? Because we as a Nation have abandoned our children. Love is not money and so many kids today equate love with money. We were not rich or at times we were damn poor, but they had what they needed.
Love
respect
and basic living needs.
they would have you think I was super dad, I wasn't. I just was there for them.
Gifts are ok so long as they understand, it's a GIFT and not required of you. Respect and love is truely a 2 way street..
Have a safe and Prosperous New Year..
2007-12-30 18:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by Socialhell gamertag 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think alot of people get so caught up in gift buying they don't stop to think about what Christmas should really be about. I know that my family didnt have enough money to buy gifts, so it nice knowing that we could still be happy being with each other, and celebrating the good Lord's day.
2007-12-30 17:37:06 · answer #7 · answered by Pat0785 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the problem here is what you gave them, it is in how they responded to it. Some children, you can give them the world, and they are appreciative for it, and others aren't. It is time to start teaching them about being thankful for what they have.
2007-12-30 17:35:35 · answer #8 · answered by missbeans 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I think you gave your children too much MATERIAL things and too little of the other things important on Christmas time. Maybe next year you'll remember this and spend more time with the kids and less money on them?
I don't think you were trying to buy their love. I think you were giving them so much stuff because you already love them and like seeing them happy. I'm also sure that they love you, and not because you give them stuff ;-)
2007-12-30 21:13:29 · answer #9 · answered by ketutar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So why did you do it then ?
Maybe you will know better next year !
The biggest concern is..........will your children ???
May you have a Happy and peaceful New Year.xxx
2007-12-30 19:41:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋