Resist the urge to spoil your kids

It is December 2020. 

It's highly likely that your Christmas/Holiday plans look slightly different this year to previous years.  Whether it's the absence of extended family or elderly relatives, the lack of travel or just fewer people around the table, this holiday season is bound to be different for most of us.

And given that it's been quite a tricky year for most and we're perhaps feeling a bit restricted in the lead-up to the holidays, some mamas might be feeling a bit bad for their children and possibly even a bit guilty.  You might find yourself wanting to "make-up" for the lack of extended family, trips, excursions or usual treats.  You might find yourself thinking about how you can spoil your children or make up for this interesting year that they've had to navigate.

The thing is, we've all had to navigate and find our way through this year.  And I want to caution that if you find yourself feeling bad for your children and wanting to compensate them in some way, you're going to be relaying the message that this year was something that you need to "make up" for.  Which, in reality, it isn't.

Yes, perhaps they were not able to go to school, see their friends as much or do their activities.  Perhaps you didn't travel as much, go to your usual fun places or have the birthday party you had promised.  

The one thing in life that we can all count on is the unexpected.  Things happen and circumstances change.  What's most important, is how we think about these changes and unexpected circumstances which will then impact how successfully we navigate through them.

So as you plan for the holidays and enter this festive season, I encourage you to be mindful of your values.   What is really important to you.  Those global ideas that you want your children to inherit - about love, family, kindness, compassion, etc. 

Think about how you can reinforce those values during the festive season.  Can you introduce a daily practice of gratitude around the family dinner table?  Can you do some shopping or baking for elderly relatives or neighbors who might be keeping their distance? 

Ask your children for their ideas of how they can show their love, kindness, and generosity to others.   Not only are you likely to find they have amazingly creative and unique ideas of their own that you would never think of, but you will also be helping them move the focus away from themselves and what they are "getting/doing" and instead, allow them to get excited about their service to others and building new traditions.

Yes, this year was different.  It was special.  And most of us will be happy to move into 2021.  But how can you make this last month in 2020 special? 

How can you use this time to help your children re-focus on what really matters?  

Resist the urge to spoil your kids this holiday season, whether it's with gifts, material items or experiences. 

Instead, spoil them with your time. 

Your presence. 

Your attention. 

Your love. 

Those are ultimately the most precious gifts they can receive from you and will stay with them, inside them, for their life.

A GIFT FOR YOU 🎄🎄🎄

To help you plan ahead, stay on top of your festive to-do list and set you and your family up for success during the festive season, grab your FREE 5-PAGE FESTIVE PLANNER below! 🎄🎄🎄

Other articles that may interest you are:

🎄5 Tips For Staying Sane in the Run up to Christmas

🎄Non-Toy Gift Ideas

🎄Teaching Gratitude & Impact