My boys are wanters. They see toys, snacks, movies, clothes — you name it, they want it. The same could probably be said for my husband, only the toys he wants are on a grander scale, and much more expensive. But, seeing as how the kids want anything and everything that’s put in their line of sight, it’s becoming truly hard to satisfy them. They’re always thinking about what they’re getting next.
Thus, we’ve been trying to get them to understand the difference between wanting what’s placed right in front of you (as TV advertising is all too good at), and really wanting something, and therefore, working and saving for it.
The boys now have their own wallets, and are at the point where they know that having money is good (because they can buy more toys with it), but are far from appreciating it, or managing it well.
To help them out, we’ve started giving them an allowance to not only teach them the value of money, but more importantly, how to handle it.
When I asked my youngest son how many quarters were in a dollar, he answered, “Just one.”
“So one quarter equals one dollar?” I asked, hoping he would catch on.
“Yes, that’s correct,” he said with confidence.
OK, so we have a long way to go, but at least it’s a start.
The boys now have an allowance of $3 a week — three single bills, for three different jars — each boy has a save, spend and give jar. (I don’t quite know where the bank thought I was going when I went in and asked for $60 in one dollar bills.)
With it being a new year, it’s time to get out with the old, and in with the new.
At least this is what I told my mom this past weekend when I went to visit her, after I opened her freezer only to be viscously attacked by the food within. It was evident it was time for a little clean out.
My mom shies away from getting rid of anything, and she apologized for making me clean on my weekend away from my own house. But, ultimately, it’s a rush for me. It might sound strange, but I get enjoyment from cleaning out the fridge. It opens up space, makes everything look bright and new, and makes way for —my favorite — more food. Plus, at my mother’s house, I’ve turned it into a game to find the oldest expired product. Ten points for something at least four years old.
My mom, bless her heart, is a pack rat. She saves and saves, and then burrows things under other things. Yes, I like to call her an aware hoarder. Because she does know that you can’t keep everything, but she still tries.
But, let me tell you, when the zombie apocalypse hits, I know where I am going first.
Winter can be an overcast time in more ways than one. Not only do we get to start and end our days in darkness, but it also messes with our internal circadian clocks. So it’s really no wonder the gloom of the cold leaves us with a lack of motivation, and a deep desire to raid the cupboards.
Compounding the problem, is the fact that winter leaves parents (and teachers), with only intermittent outdoor playtime, making it hard to occupy children’s wildly creative minds.
Yes, this time of year, my boys certainly have a surplus of energy; enough to go around in fact. Of course, I feel just the opposite. I want to slip into my pajamas and crawl under a blanket and hibernate until spring … make that summer.
What I would give to have an ounce of their energy … just one ounce.
But since the boys have taken it upon themselves to eat me out of house and home, and literally destroy everything in their path as they do so, I’ve had to come out of hiding and push myself to keep their innovative minds active.
I’ve stocked up on basically everything and anything I can to keep them busy. I’ve bought Play-Doh, tools, glue, markers, books, board games, movies, downloaded Kindle games, and even gave them a camera. We’ve painted pottery, visited relatives, and run laps around the basement.
And when these activities get old to them, I continue looking for new ones, even in unusual places.
I’ve had them be assistant chefs, and even tricked them into helping with the chores.
“Hey kids, want to play with my Swiffer Sweeper?” (Just make sure to put a dry sweeping cloth on first. Then let them go to town.)
Like I said, I will do anything to keep them busy.
My kids had their first sleepover EVER — at their grandparent’s house (not far, just across the street) — on New Year’s Eve.
Yes, I know, they’re old enough now. Yet, it was still a bit hard for me to let loose of the reins. But I finally decided they should go because they wanted to (a first), and I thought my husband and I could use this as an opportunity for a much-needed date night.
So we fought the crowd and managed to eat out with only a 1.5-hour call-ahead (plus another 10-minute) wait time.
I don’t like waiting for most things in life, and food is definitely at the top of that list. But, I thought we should embrace the opportunity and live it up. (And, perhaps, have one meal without a food fight or a discussion about why we need to eat our vegetables.)
So we had a nice dinner (yes, I made my husband eat a few vegetables, too); then we came home to ring in the new year in style.
OK, so we made brownies and drank milk instead.
After that was the best part though. Our evening’s entertainment consisted of turning on the TV to watch the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Party in NYC … but then muting it and turning on the surprise high school playlist I made my husband (just for the evening) instead. All the excitement of NYC, but with better music — for sure.
The great thing about the holidays is getting to spend so much time together.
Yes — all that lovely family time — spent in close quarters.
Time to hug, snuggle up on the couch, and spread the love around.
And, we’ve certainly had a lot to share this year.
In fact, during the last few weeks, we’ve sort of turned it into a competition at our house. And we’ve tested just about every which way we can trade around the various illnesses that have plagued our family this holiday season.
It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
But, in truth, it seems I get sick about this time, every year. It’s become a sort of special time to look forward to. A time when I can get nothing done, but just be thankful to still be breathing.
Drat kids. Since having children, I spend more time sick than ever before. This wasn’t on the warning label.
“Are you being good right now?” I asked my boys up until the final days of Christmas.
“No,” they admitted honestly.
“I’m not sure if Santa will stop by our house this year at all,” I responded.
“But we are trying. We will be better.”
I think they’re trying to operate under the truth that two negatives make a positive.
Yes, for my kids, the Christmas countdown made staying on the good list even harder than getting there in the first place.
But their continuing (failed) efforts, reminded me that even if you come up short of your goals, don’t throw in the towel; keep giving it thought and effort, and you will get there (eventually).
And now that it’s a new year, you have a chance for a fresh start.
As for making those dreaded New Year’s Resolutions (you know, the things we’ve wanted to change about ourselves for the last five years) … it’s time for a clean slate.
This year, let’s not think on what we need to change about ourselves (i.e., lose weight, work less, quit smoking), but instead, focus on what we want for ourselves.
Feeling down that the Christmas tree your kids helped you decorate, the fridge covered in magnets and artwork all askew, the fresh cookie crumbs on the floor, and the living room full of trampled toys, don’t look quite like a scene out of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine?
Trust me, I’ve been there, too. But, don’t worry. These are the best kinds of messes to have — the kind that come from embracing life and enjoying every moment.
So, my new philosophy is all about striving to keep the clean, messy house.
Nobody wants an all-out dirty house. But a messy house is different; it is one full of life, love, laughter … and resulting debris.
If a spotless, impeccable house is your heart’s desire, just remember, not everything that looks great on the outside always is.
The animal cracker confetti, piles of dirty dishes, glitter in the carpet and magic marker on the dining room table, are all just signs of life.
Let’s be honest, you can’t do a whole lot in life without making a mess. And where’s the fun if you can’t get your hands a little dirty?
