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ADVICE RATING

4.45 (Worth a try) from 17 votes (275 Visits)

Wish List

by AMAMom

(November 2006) (rank 98th)

My mailbox overflows with catalogues. Gourment food catalogues. Outdoor gear catalogues. Toy catalogues.

I take them all and pile them beside my bed, planning to do some Christmas shopping when I get a free minute.

Hasn't happened.

My daughter, Christa, loves all the toy catalogues.

Oh, Mommy, I want this! Oh, Mommy, look at that!"

Finally, I handed her a black marker and told her to circle all the things she wanted. No, I wasn't trying to turn her into a greedy little "Gimmee" girl. I just wanted her to have fun making up a wish list. Don't tell her, but I've already snuck a few of her most wished for items into my bedroom closet. (That's what moms and dads are for!)

Being a somewhat introspective gal, I imagined what other things I'd like to wrap up and put under the Christmas tree for my daughter to find--things she doesn't realize she will need as she grows up. If I could, I'd give her:

An Unending Supply of Forgivness

Young children are amazingly forgiving.Their innocent hearts somehow take a hurtful word or action and wrap it in a hug. But as Christa grows up, she may decide forgiving is too costly. Too risking. Too demanding. I know that I did--and now I am learning all over again to be forgiving.

An Abundance of Family Memories

Most of the things I've bought my children for Christmas or birthdays--or just because--don't last until the next birthday or Christmas. Toys end up in a garage sale or handed down to friends. But all the memories we made on family vacations or while playing Scrabble or Uno--well, those last a lifetime. Less stuff. More time together.

A Bit of Adversity to Overcome

I admit it: I want my kids' lives to be easier than mine was. I want fewer bumps and a much smoother road than the one I've traveled. And yet I know that the challenges I've faced pushed me past all I thought I couldn't do--and into who I am today.

A Wide Open Door

I want Christa to pursue her dreams, just like her older siblings are doing. That means I have to encourage her to walk out the door--away from me--and into her life. Letting go is painful--and it's beautiful. For Christa, it's still a long way off too. But I know it will be here faster than I imagine because I've seen it happen so quickly with my other three children.

Some of the best gifts we give our children--the ones that shape their lives the most--aren't found on their wish list or in a glossy catalogue.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

ADVICE RATING

4.45 (Worth a try) from 17 votes

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	November 2006 \| Chrysalis

WOW- fabulous article!

I love your style- beautifully written and brilliant advice- really well done, thanks for writing this!

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	November 2006 \| ckelly

Not just for kids

My family still does this, My mum in particular - circles in big black pen and leaves on the bench for all to see.
Currenlty my son (who is 14 month) just trys to eat the catalogue's

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	November 2006 \| Libby

Wish List

Sounds great. Ill have to remember to do that with my daughter. Great advice

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	November 2006 \| exquisite-flower

We have a list this year

In the back of my diary is a list - and it is written with the understanding that santa (whom she told me doesnt exist before she started to accept that the idea was a good one) may not bring everything or even anything on her list.

As for the things on your wish list on that advice. Well, my brother gave me a christmas gift wrapped jam jar when I was in my first year at uni. It has a little red bow on the top. I have now had it 10 years (wow...doesnt time fly) and i still use it. It is full of paper circles with their middles cut out. On them is written 'hugs and kisses'. Included is an instruction paper - about the size of a quarter postcard. He was 11 or 12 when he did that for me. And it was all his own idea.

Hope this inspires people to maybe make these dream things a reality somehow. I love doing coupon books for friends and family if I cannot think of something they will love. Things that can be redeemed over the next year or something.
Peace
EF.x

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| November 2006 \| jenlemen

so true!

what would it be like if we really gave our kids these gifts every christmas? if we made it a point to focus on something like this for the new year?

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	November 2006 \| exquisite-flower

so true!

That is a great idea! A new years resolution to teach a moral or value or lasting 'life lesson'.
Great food for thought. My mind is buzzing already!
EF.x

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	November 2006 \| Jessgore

Wish list...

The first time I saw my husband give a book to make her wish list. I was almost horrified thinking oh my god, what if she believes she will get everything from the list??? She was at the time I met her very demanding and every time I left the house always asked for a surprise, I always told her No as it is not a surprise if you ask for it. Eventually she stopped asking.. But the hubby told me he had done this for years... The second time I sat and I saw just how much fun she had doing it, and how much fun the hubby had watching her.

And you know what she did not even realize that half the christmas wishes she asked for she did not get... :)

Memories are so important.

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	November 2006 \| allyp

thanks

excellent advice.. I always love looking at the cataloges.. Expecially when I was a child... I am goind to do that for my daughter when she's old enough to say "i want that mommy" or "look at that, I like it" .. thanks for the advice!

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