There’s no doubt your child received tech toys for Christmas or Hanukkah. It’s a good thing in many ways.  However, it’s time for play.  It’s time to send your child out the door, to expel energy.  That’s good for her too.  

If your household is like mine, there have been an abundance of ‘goodies’ for the Christmas break.  Those calories need to be spent; so outside your child should go.  Bundle her up if it’s cold, secure the safe spot for play, and let him or her go!  I’m not just talking about little kids, teens need this break too.

You will see the value of the exercise in your child’s personality, sleep patterns and general health.    There’s another upside of play.  It allows her to use her own God-given gift, imagination.  Most importantly, kids who know how to play without a uniform, coach, or parent, will be better able to face the grown-up world of play.

~Remember~ Safety is always first, and good judgement as a parent prevails. 

Like my kids, your kids probably share the bounty of your daily job.  Therefore, kids should be contributing something to the family, reducing some of your work.  No parent should be doing all the work for the family.

From a young age, kids should be helping around the house.  Kids should be taking out the garbage.  No child should leave the kitchen before the dishes are done.  Every kid should learn to dust properly.  This is good for your child, as it teaches him or her skills and allows her to understand that a family works together.

If your older child is home before you, he or she should be responsible for a portion of supper.  Put something in the oven, pare potatoes, and set the table.  He can help make your life easier.  He or she will be learning life skills while fulfilling his responsibility.

It’s never too early to teach your kids empathy and sharing. By the time your child understands a gift, he or she can learn to give to a child less fortunate.  Believe me, no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else has it worse.

Before Christmas, plant the sharing seed.  Explain how other children have less than your family. Explain it very simply.   No matter how small, tell your child she  or he is going to give something to another boy or girl.  It could be a toy she is willing to give away; it could be a pack of gum.  What is given is not the important. What’s important is the value of giving.

Children who give, understand a world bigger than themselves.

Our kids have always been a part of giving.  The best giving was when a child would be outfitted with winter gear.  At that point my son was grown.  He and I had so much fun picking out the entire outfit, with his input being style for the little boy.  That’s the spirit of Christmas.

In the classroom, there was always a Christmas project.  I would collect food, used coats, gently used toys and money. There were a variety of projects throughout the years.    Dimes, pennies and nickels added up unbelievably.  At the end of every project, I would provide a party for the kids.  Every kid felt a sense of satisfaction when giving.  Even if the kid could donate no more than the pennies he found in the car seat, felt an incredible pride.

When was the last time you had a conversation in which you looked your child in the eye?  That connection conveys the seriousness of your words.  Eye contact also shows that nothing else is more important than your child at that moment. That is very powerful.                      The supper table allows that very important connection.                                                                                                                       Knowing you have to face your parent on a regular basis, makes you think twice about doing bad things.