Anticipating Christmas Morning

It’s two days before Christmas and I think I am more anxious for Christmas morning than the kids. It’s so exciting for them right now at their ages, I want them to enjoy every moment. Me being the perfectionist that I am, of course I want Christmas morning to be perfect. I wish that Santa could bring the boys everything that they desire, but unfortunately that’s just not possible this year. 

Our oldest son has asked Santa for some items that neither one of us wants him to have. First he asked for an Xbox, which is something we don’t think he is ready for. He just turned seven and we barely let them watch the TV or play on the iPads as it is. At this point in time we don’t feel comfortable with Santa bringing him an Xbox. We think it is more important for our kids to get outside and play. We want them to be creative and build things and learn to entertain each other without technology.

Often times I jokingly call myself a screen nazi, because I am so anti-screens. Unfortunately my limiting their screen time so much has sort of backfired on me. Anytime they see a screen, they’re both stuck on it immediately and don’t want to do anything else but watch or play on the screen. I understand, screens can be highly entertaining. Not that I’m anti-technology, I just think there is a time and a place for it. Technology is an added bonus in our lives, it doesn’t have to be the be all and end all of our lives.

One of my issues is where do you go from here? If Santa got the Xbox this Christmas, what could he possibly bring next Christmas? Or the Christmas after that? I don’t want Christmas to peak at seven and go downhill from there. I also can’t imagine being able to afford to make Christmas better or even competitive once they get a game console. I suppose then you’re looking at getting them their own personal cell phones, TVs and things. We are certainly not mentally or financially ready for all of that nonsense.

The second thing our oldest asked for was a motor scooter. My husband nixed that idea immediately and I’m really glad he did, because if he didn’t I would have. We are firm believers in all the kids’ vehicles being kid powered. That’s the best way for them to get outside and play. I also fear an accident happening on motor powered vehicles. Something kid powered can only go as fast as they can run, kick and push or pedal, not that they can’t have an accident with it being kid powered, but I believe it would be less severe than something that was motorized.

Thankfully this year the little one is pretty easy to please. He just wants Transformers, which Santa can take care of without a problem. They’re both reasonable and parent approved. One parent grew up loving them and the other parent thinks their engineering is pretty incredible and still makes the kids think.

That being said I have this fear that because our oldest son is not getting what he asked for from Santa, that he will be disappointed. Not that he should get everything he ever asked for, because he shouldn’t, that’s just not reality. And at some point we all have to face the fact that we can’t get everything we ever wanted. 

I still have vivid memories of the Christmas I asked for Teddy Ruxpin, only to receive an obnoxious quacking duck puppet instead. At the time I was really disappointed. I don’t remember exactly what my parents told me, but I’m sure it was something along the lines of Santa wasn’t able to get Teddy Ruxpin, because he ran out of them, but he tried his best to full fill my wishes and he hopes I loved the duck just as much as I would Teddy Ruxpin. He also probably reminded me that there are many boys and girls around the world that were not as fortunate as me, so I should be thankful I got anything.

Looking back at it, I did cherish the duck I received, because it was from Santa. I didn’t find the duck obnoxious until I was in my teens and used a hair tie to keep it’s bill closed so that it wouldn’t quack every time I turned the light on in my bedroom. I’m sure I hung onto that duck all those years as the reminder of Santa and one of his many lessons. And just because Santa wasn’t able to get me Teddy Ruxpin, it didn’t stop me from believing in Santa, instead it made me more aware of other little boys and girls and learn some compassion for others that weren’t as fortunate as me.

I guess I am writing this to gain a better understanding of what it is that we need to teach our children. We are not going to be able to provide everything that they can possibly desire and neither is Santa and that’s okay. That’s life. Hopefully we have taught our children what it means to be thankful and gracious.