jbuendia68

Hi all,

My parents asked what my ds4 and dd11 would like for Christmas. They
really do want to get them toys, etc that they will really enjoy and
play with. What are your ideas to comprise a wish list for homeschooled
kids: toys that teach, toys that last, books, art supplies, etc. I'm
looking forward to your responses, as I get so many wonderful ideas
everyday from people on this board! I'm also crossposting this on the
WTM secular list. Thanks in advance!

Jenny

Betsy

Yeah, I have to say...I'm a little surprised you're asking the list what your folks should get
your kids for Christmas--I think your kids would be the better ones to ask!


--- In [email protected], BRIAN POLIKOWSKY <polykowholsteins@...>
wrote:
>
>     How about they THEY want to play with or have????
> What do your KIDS want?
> Did you ask THEM? 
> What do they like?
>  
> Alex Polikowsky
> http://polykow.blogspot.com/
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Sandra Dodd

-=-They really do want to get them toys, etc that they will really
enjoy and play with. -=-

Duplo Zoo, or another Duplo set might be fun. Or Lego, since the
younger one is four (depending on his interests and abilities.

DVDs of Music. Raffi in Concert was played about to the nub at our
house. Enchanted. Disney movies you might not have (musicals, I'm
thinking--Little Mermaid, Aladdin). Those would be easy for
grandparents to find and feel good about giving.

For grandmother gifts, things they could both play with might be
cool, which is why I'm thinking Lego/Duplo.

-=-What are your ideas to comprise a wish list for homeschooled kids:
toys that teach, toys that last, books, art supplies, etc.-==-

I have an article about wishlists you might want to read before you
give you mom ideas.

Try not to think about "toys that teach." Think about things your
kids like and will play with often and in different ways.



About wishlists:

http://sandradodd.com/wishlists

About the huge advantage of using and thinking"learning" instead of
"teaching":

http://sandradodd.com/teaching



Sandra








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Sandra Dodd

-=-Yeah, I have to say...I'm a little surprised you're asking the
list what your folks should get
your kids for Christmas--I think your kids would be the better ones
to ask!-=-

You guys, it's Christmas. We're talking total surprises. It's
boring (and often very frustrating) for kids to say what they want
and then either get it (duh) or not (wah).

I didn't ask my kids what they want. I've been paying attention to
what they've wanted all year. And this year everyone's stuff will be
a surprise to everyone else (the kids anyway), so they can all have
more surprises. And everyone's gift is something the others will
benefit from, too or can use sometimes.

Surprises are good.

Sandra

Lyla Wolfenstein

>>

I didn't ask my kids what they want. I've been paying attention to
what they've wanted all year. And this year everyone's stuff will be
a surprise to everyone else (the kids anyway), so they can all have
more surprises. And everyone's gift is something the others will
benefit from, too or can use sometimes.>>



that's interesting - we also give many surprises for holiday / birthday gifts, but one thing both of my kids really enjoy - and has become part of the season's tradition in our family - is making their wish lists. my son has an elaborate process of conceiving of and then "rating" in order of priority, his desires.....

my daughter this year really wanted her room painted (it was freshly painted a few years ago with colors she chose when we moved in, and was not in "need" of paint) and also wanted to "feel more like an adult" this year at christmas, and proposed that her gift be getting her room re-painted. and she really didn't want to wait 3 months to get it done, so we had it painted in september and she wants to just enjoy the christmas experience with a few gifts from relatives and her brother, and not the mound under the tree she has historically enjoyed as a "child" at christmas. these differenentiations are hers, on her path toward maturation, not ours, to be clear.

anyhow - surprises are always appreciated, but a healthy mix of surprises and specific requests being granted goes over best in our family!

Lyla

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Cassie Sala

>>>>>>>>>Hi all,

My parents asked what my ds4 and dd11 would like for Christmas. They
really do want to get them toys, etc that they will really enjoy and
play with. What are your ideas to comprise a wish list for homeschooled
kids: toys that teach, toys that last, books, art supplies, etc. I'm
looking forward to your responses, as I get so many wonderful ideas
everyday from people on this board! I'm also crossposting this on the
WTM secular list. Thanks in advance!

Jenny
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have been having this same issue. Alex already asked "what do your KIDS want?". I have known what my kids want, for years, it has been art supplies, or a scooter or skateboard, or soccer ball, things like that. My problem is that I haven't gotten past my issue of asking for something. We are in financial crisis though, and some of our family isn't. Unfortunately, I grew up being shamed for wanting anything, and i'm trying to get past this for my children. I'd love for them to have a nice x-mas present (ours will happily come from the dollar store again this year), and I know some of the grandparents can get them something nicer. problem is, I already know they are thinking toys. They have plenty, and they have told me they would love art "stuff", and a soccer ball. I honestly don't know how to mention that they would rather have these things. They ask it like "what sort of toys do they want?" The fact is they don't WANT a toy. How would some of you approach this? I don't want to sound like I'm greedy in asking for something other than toys. We could really use things like pencils, notebooks, plain paper, construction paper, I just am having a problem with HOW to ask for something other than what THEY want to give. I know I need to put on my Big Girl Pants....I just don't know how to approach this.
Hope this isn't considered a post hijack! I guess I need to know just like Jenny!

~Cassie~
http://hyenacart.com/canyonriverherbals
http://canyonandriversday.blogspot.com
"We must be the change we want to see happen in the world" ~Ghandi

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jenny C

> play with. What are your ideas to comprise a wish list for
homeschooled
> kids: toys that teach, toys that last, books, art supplies, etc.

Why does it have to be a wish list of a homeschooled kid? Why can't it
be a list of things they want. We got an add from Walmart the other day
and Margaux went through it and circled everything she wanted from it.
I think it would have been easier to just cross of the things she didn't
want! ; )

I have this weird repulsion to toys that teach, especially those geared
towards toddlers. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with
learning the ABC's and your 123's, but toddlers like cause and effect
things wether they repeat ABC or not.

It would help enormously if you were to tell us what kind of things your
kids are into and like already. I could say that my children are into
"xyz" and tell you the kind of things that we've gotten for that, but it
probably wouldn't be relevant at all to what your kids are into.

Pamela Sorooshian

On Nov 7, 2008, at 1:01 PM, Jenny C wrote:

> Why does it have to be a wish list of a homeschooled kid? Why can't
> it
> be a list of things they want.

My sister once told me that her kids would prefer toys, not
educational gifts. By that she meant - they didn't think of books or
microscopes or a copy of "The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis" as
good gifts. My kids couldn't distinguish between educational gifts and
toys.

-pam

John and Amanda Slater

My boys have a backpack full of lightsabers.  I think they own 8, but it changes weekly.  We have the cheap $7 ones that fully collapse.  We keep the bag in the car and hand them out at the park.  It may not be educational, but it surely is good for "social skills."  It is by far our most popular toy out of the house.

Amanda
Eli 7, Samuel 6





















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John and Amanda Slater

Mini-trampolines are another great choice.  We currently have two and they are in constant use.  We have this one:  http://www.amazon.com/Airzone-38-Inch-Mini-Band-Trampoline/dp/B000067Q0P/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1226098065&sr=8-1


I would not recommend Legos for a 4 year old unless he is asking for them.  My two boys were not ready for the smaller Legos until they were at least 5 or 6, but had already outgrown the larger ones.  Now they are the only toys they play with.

Amanda
Eli 7, Samuel 6





















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Joyce Fetteroll

On Nov 7, 2008, at 3:55 PM, Cassie Sala wrote:

> They ask it like "what sort of toys do they want?" The fact is they
> don't WANT a toy. How would some of you approach this?

I would say "art supplies" and list off some fun stuff. Just because
they ask the question a certain way doesn't mean you can't go outside
their box for an answer. ;-)

> I don't want to sound like I'm greedy in asking for something other
> than toys.
>

And I think of it as respectful of their time and money to help them
find things the kids will love and appreciate.

But ultimately it depends. Sometimes people get this ideal in their
heads and they want to make it happen just as they imagine it. If as
kids they got practical gifts like new underwear and pencils and
paper for Christmas, they might see toys as gifts to themselves as kids.

Joyce

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

-=-I don't want to sound like I'm greedy in asking for something
other than toys. We could really use things like pencils, notebooks,
plain paper, construction paper, I just am having a problem with HOW
to ask for something other than what THEY want to give. I know I need
to put on my Big Girl Pants....I just don't know how to approach
this.-=-

If I want to give someone a gift, it wouldn't be "putting on their
Big Girl pants" to tell me they want to tell me what to give them.
It would be kinda rude. If I want to give someone something, that's
about ME! <bwg> If I ask for ideas, that's different. That's
turning over the decision making to some extent, or at least
admitting I don't have a brilliant idea.

Asking for pencils and notebooks and plain paper, whether you mean
for it to or not, sounds kinda like asking for toilet paper and dish
soap. Not cool. Not fun. Not giftish. And it seems (though you
probably didn't consciously mean for it to) that you're saying "We
can't even afford pencils."

Maybe ask for nice art supplies, good paper, or think of some toys
they might want, or maybe shelves to put toys in or boxes for art
supplies.

If you really do need pencils and notebooks and plain paper, go to a
thrift store and get some. I see office supplies at thrift stores
all the time. Ask for them on a freecycle list. People and offices
have extra paper and pencils all the time.

Sandra

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[email protected]

In a message dated 11/7/2008 1:59:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,
lylaw@... writes:

<<<that's interesting - we also give many surprises for holiday / birthday
gifts, but one thing both of my kids really enjoy - and has become part of the
season's tradition in our family - is making their wish lists.>>>



For as long as we've been married (and probably longer), I've pointed things
out to Dave that I like and that might be a good idea for a present for me.
I've offered to cut pictures out of catalogs for him to put in his wallet or
something. Very, very rarely in over 20 years has he actually *gotten* me
something that's been on my list (but making them is always fun!), but, as I was
telling a friend today, he always gets me something I'd never think of to
put on my list and I have always been very happy with whatever it is! I could
choose to be frustrated and cranky that he "doesn't listen to me" or get me
what I (think I) want, but you know what? It makes me feel very loved that he
pays such close attention to me every day that he knows my tastes enough to
know what I like without going from a list. :~) I don't know if my kids feel
like that (yet), but I know they like surprises!

Peace,
De
**************AOL Search: Your one stop for directions, recipes and all other
Holiday needs. Search Now.
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212792382x1200798498/aol?redir=http://searchblog.aol.com/2008/11/04/happy-holidays-from
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elwazani

--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> -=-They really do want to get them toys, etc that they will really
> enjoy and play with. -=-
>
>>
> Try not to think about "toys that teach." Think about things your
> kids like and will play with often and in different ways.
>


My kids are 6,10,15 and 23...one thing my folks get them every year is
a magazine subscription to what ever magazine they each choose...some
times they aren't really ones that Grandma and Grampa would choose "FOR
THEM" but they willing let them each choose and then as each one is
retrieved from the mail box they remember it's a gift from the
grandparents...some times it would fall under the heading of
educational, but most often they are personal interests of each of the
kids...Beverly

Verna

best thing i have ever bought my kids are wooden blocks. the kids all
love them and they are played with in lots of ways, just about everyday.
this year I am going to sit down with the kids and let them make a
wishlist on amazon.

Cassie Sala

Thank you Joyce, and Sandra, I really get what both of you are saying. I knew when I saw the original post, that somehow I'd get the "right" advice here (meaning the advice I really needed) :) I see what your saying about the paper, pencils, etc. and now, looking at it again, I see how totally un-cool that would be! C is always asking for play dough and artsy things, and R LOVES to write and draw things, so I see where I could go with asking for *nice* supplies to facilitate this. I also see a different perspective in seeing how it must feel from the eyes of the giver. I'd fee that way too....:)

I feel better, and stronger about how to approach now, they are very different to deal with for me. I've never been surrounded with people such as my in laws, there is always a condition when gifts are given, or things lent, and narcisism (sp?) is their way of living. They ARE, however, very sweet people. It confuses me often, as to how to deal with them, without "hurting their feelings" for saying the wrong thing.

Thanks again!

~Cassie~
http://hyenacart.com/canyonriverherbals
http://canyonandriversday.blogspot.com
"We must be the change we want to see happen in the world" ~Ghandi

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Robin Bentley

Kapla blocks were a big hit at the Life is Good conference - kids and
adults built amazing structures with them.
They're not inexpensive, but could be a gift for everyone in the family.

http://www.kaplatoys.com/

Robin B.
On Nov 7, 2008, at 7:49 PM, Verna wrote:

> best thing i have ever bought my kids are wooden blocks. the kids all
> love them and they are played with in lots of ways, just about
> everyday.
> this year I am going to sit down with the kids and let them make a
> wishlist on amazon.
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Sandra Dodd

http://sandradodd.com/wishlist

No "s". Sorry.

If you got the error page and put in wishlists you could get there
anyway, but sorry about the bad link.

Sandra

Heather

> Hi all,
>
> My parents asked what my ds4 and dd11 would like for Christmas. >

One toy that has stood the test of time in our house (6 years) is a
plastic marble run - they have wooden ones as well. My boys love
constructing different routes for the marbles to run and have added
marbles and pvc pipe over the years to make it really elaborate!

diana jenner

The answer lies in your relationship with the gift-bearer.
My Aunt Donna gives *wonderful* gifts, thoughtful and generally on sale
::bg:: from clothing to activities, she wants what she gives to be
well-suited to the recipient. I can say to her "we're having a lean year,
we'd really like to get something special for H" and she'll do what she can
to gift something extra special (she's a mean bargain hunter, special does
not mean more expensive). I really appreciate the year-round gifts she
gives, too (i.e. zoo memberships & magazines). This year I told her H would
*love* art supplies: canvases, acrylic paints and brushes. It's an
investment in her future wall decor ;) For the *regularly stocked* art
supplies, I quietly reminded my mom while she shopped the back-to-school
sales (Hayden does love the spiral notebooks; easy gift when they're 10/$1).

My MIL doesn't have the same kind of rapport with us & we don't communicate
the same way... she sends H a check, he buys what he loves and reports his
gratitude later. And that works for them.
We've had *dollar-store holidays* --there are organizations (for us it was
goodwill's angel tree program) to help with presents, it was certainly worth
swallowing my pride to get the kids nice gifts & a stipend for the grocery
store.
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.blogspot.com
hannahsashes.blogspot.com
dianas365.blogspot.com


On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 12:55 PM, Cassie Sala <loopynutjob@...> wrote:

> I'd love for them to have a nice x-mas present (ours will happily come
> from the dollar store again this year), and I know some of the grandparents
> can get them something nicer. problem is, I already know they are thinking
> toys. They have plenty, and they have told me they would love art "stuff",
> and a soccer ball. I honestly don't know how to mention that they would
> rather have these things. They ask it like "what sort of toys do they want?"
> The fact is they don't WANT a toy. How would some of you approach this? I
> don't want to sound like I'm greedy in asking for something other than toys.
> We could really use things like pencils, notebooks, plain paper,
> construction paper, I just am having a problem with HOW to ask for something
> other than what THEY want to give.
>


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