jmcseals SEALS

****Ooooooh, yeah. I've had quite a few of these moments while growing up.
I didn't like to know what my xmas gifts were ahead of time and was
never the kid trying to find the stash and see what I was getting.
Knowing this, my mom would still SHOW me what she picked out and then
ASK me if I liked it. Thinking that if I answered honestly that she'd
still have plenty of time to return/exchange it that we'd all be happy.****


OH THIS WAS ME!!! I left off the last sentence because THAT wsn't me, but
the above was SO me! Every year before birthdays and Christmas, the kids
and I make a big day of wish lists. I grab pen and paper and we go wishing.
For years, I got every item on the list. It didn't take long for them to
sulk if something was missing. Last year, I decided to chuck the list. We
still go wishing but I leave the list at home now. I told everyone in my
family to buy whatever they wanted my children to have. wouldn't even give
them ideas. Christmas was AMAZING!!! The kids were so excited and
surprised at what they got. I didn't hear ONE sulk. My 6 year old even
asked me if she could have a "surprise" birthday this year. Not the typical
surprise, we're all here, but the kind without lists. Her birthday is in 2
weeks and she told me she doesn't even want to go wishing because she wants
EVERYTHING to be something special we all pick for her.

It's funny that we can't see how much our desire to please our kids truly
doesn't please them afterall.

Jennifer






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