NaBloPoMo

It’s all a blur.

How I went from “Well, you should ask Santa” after she expressed interested in a product to impatiently asking “When are you going to write your Christmas list?”

But before I knew it, I was pressing my five year old to write.

Oh yea, that’s why.

Because I look for any reason to get her to sit down and do a project of some sort with me. That’s right; I’m all for bonding over crayons.

As I offered up the number five, I knew years from now I would be kicking myself.

I told her because she’s five and a half; she gets to ask Santa for five things.

But … yes, I did go there…. if she doesn’t behave, Santa doesn’t have to bring any of the five things.

And I explained it’s only a wish list so Santa doesn’t have to get anything from the list.

(I covered myself in case her wish list was ridiculous and I couldn’t fathom purchasing any of it.)

Then she asked if Luke gets to ask for three things and Harrison gets to ask for one.

I told her Santa allows Harrison to ask for two because he’s closer to two than one. Ah, these rules I make up.

So far she’s written three things on her list –

1. A bean bag (it’s a specific one she saw at a friend’s house. I was hoping it would be at Land of Nod but its not. drat.)
   
2. A watch (good, because I don’t want to have to ask strangers for the time anymore or dig through my bag for my cell phone even though it have a dedicated cell phone pocket)
   
3. Black and grey crayons (wha?! She explained she didn’t want to have to shade things in with her pencil anymore and wanted more black and grey crayons)
   

I’m surprised. I might be getting off easy this year and then realize why on her 16^th birthday. For now, I’ll just enjoy.

Anyone else surprised by their child’s holiday wish list this year?

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If a person gives you his time, he can give you no more precious gift - Frank Tyger

All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey is one of my favorite Christmas songs, Christmas videos of all time. It’s definitely a fun and festive way to celebrate the season.

Please Come Home For Christmas by Bon Jovi is my other favorite. You can thank me later, for reminding you about this one. 

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Household incomes across the country vary greatly from family to family.

Take my household… it relies solely on one income while most families I know have the benefit of two.

And some households have lost their only source of income.

You’ll find that in every neighborhood. In every city. Our checking accounts all look very different right now.

So I understand how difficult it can be for families to afford to give during the holidays.

But I just don’t understand how you can grumble about contributing to a holiday gift for a teacher or caregiver.

These people who educate and take care of our children have their own families to take care of during the holidays.

To support. To surprise with gifts. To cook holiday meals for. To take to visit family in other cities.

How can someone be upset about giving a $50 donation?

It’s not like you didn’t know weeks ago you would be asked for a monetary contribution.

Last year, I emailed my daughter’s class parent after asking if she made a mistake.

(I thought a holiday gift of $50 total for three teachers was too little.)

And she responded that the PTA was told by other parents they only wanted to do $30 per family.

So after giving in $50, Natalie also made a gift bag of products from The Body Shop for each of her teachers.

I just didn’t feel right not adding to that gift in some way because her teachers worked so hard.

This year, my son is in daycare and he’s there for hours every day as I work.

His caregivers comfort him as he teethes and console him if he wakes up Mr. Cranky Pants.

And because I can’t be there for him during the day, they are the ones who are taking care of him. I am so thankfully I found loving people who could do that every day for me.

But I don’t feel the amount being asked for for them is sufficient. And it’s disturbing some parents still complain!

How much is your school/day care asking for this year as the teacher’s holiday gift contributions?

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