Most parents love to shower their children with love, affection, and lot’s of gifts and toys! With the holidays coming soon, now is the time to decide how to employ healthy holiday gifting. Consider overall development and well-being when deciding on appropriate gifts. While it’s normal to desire to give abundantly to your child, there are reasons to be concerned when excessive gifts further unhealthy motivations, beliefs, and attitudes, or compromise safety.
According to the American Psychological Associations Task Force on Advertising and Children, $12 billion per year is spent to reach children. It further states that children view more than 40,000 commercials each year. Children are constantly hearing messages that say, “You need this item to feel or look better. Your life will be better if you had this item. Your friends will like you if you buy this.” Parents are constantly pressured by their children for the latest electronic device, clothing item, etc. Many busy parents are pressured by feelings of not having enough money to buy expensive items for their children. Others try to compensate time away by making sure that their children have all the latest “stuff.”
When children are surrounded by non-stop gifts, it becomes easy for a young child to feel that getting “things” is the most important pursuit in life. The child’s personal values can begin to rely on excessive gifts as a measure of self-worth and happiness. While this is a problem that any parent can face, there are solutions. Here are a few suggestions that can help your child avoid some of the false beliefs and appreciate the gifts that you give.
•Encourage your child to value family and good friends. Teach him that relationships with people are far more lasting and important than any gift. Love should never be equated with things.
•When you purchase several gifts at once, like during the holidays, encourage your child to purge some of her gently used toys, electronics, athletic gear and clothes, and give them to charity.
•Adopt a family in need during the holidays. As a family, work with a non-profit organization or someone you know to offer gifts and food for a disadvantaged family.
•Practice saying thank you and giving compliments to each other.
•Have a family dinner and allow each family member to express 3 reasons why they are grateful.
Pay attention to your child’s behavior and maturity as you consider purchasing gifts. Try to express that receiving gifts is a privilege for which we should all be grateful. Let your child know that your love for him goes far beyond material things. Also, help your child to see the many other advantages that he has. Remind him of good friends, family and other privileges like quality education, and other acts of love and adoration.
Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies believes that happy, loved, connected children are destined for success in every facet of their lives. Our most cherished principle, “Hug First, Then Teach,” defines every aspect of our educational process and priorities.
About Kids 'R' Kids®
Headquartered in the North Atlanta suburb of Duluth, GA, Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies® provide a secure, nurturing, and educational environment for children (ages 6 weeks - 12 years) to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. With over 160 locations in 15 states, Kids 'R' Kids International® is a family owned and operated organization that ranks in the top 10 nationwide for franchised early childhood education centers (www.kidsrkidsatlanta.com).
