Tag: Christmas

“Is Santa Real, Mommy?”

by Betsy on Dec.04, 2011, under Communication, Holidays, Learning, Parenting, Sensitive Topics

One of the signs (sometimes laced with a bit of sadness) that your child is growing up is when the inevitable question comes, Is Santa real? While it seems so simple, it is one that puts many a parent into a tail spin. What should I say?... Read more...

:Chrismas folklore, Christmas, Holiday myths, Is Santa real?, Lying, santa, Xmas 11 Comments

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

by Betsy on Dec.25, 2010, under Character traits, Holidays, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting

Every year my friend Freida gives me a surprising gift. Far out pop-up books, foodstuffs from the Homeboy Industries-Homegirl Catering and Kitchen, DVD’s of documentaries I might have missed. But this year’s is the best: Of Thee I Sing: A letter to my daughters by Barack Obama. I... Read more...

:Beliefs, Books, Christmas, family, family conversations, Family meals, Modeling, Parent as teacher, Reading, Values 1 Comment

Holiday Mistakes Parents Make

by Betsy on Dec.18, 2010, under Holidays, Parenting

How many ways can I help you to rebrand the holidays? I'll try one more time by sending you to watch the video I taped for Parents Ask. http://www.parentsask.com/ Tuck the ideas away, and enjoy the rest of this holiday for now. Then when all is said and... Read more...

:Chanukah, Christmas, gimmies, Rituals, traditions, Values Leave a Comment

The Experience of the Holidays

by Betsy on Dec.06, 2010, under Holidays, Parenting, Relationships

It’s all about gimme gimme gimme right about now, the middle of Chanukah and three weeks before Christmas. Well, of course it is, because the world—the media, advertisers, merchants—focus our children’s sights on the stuff they’re going to get. Ugh! In the end it is the experiences that... Read more...

:Chanukah, Christmas, Experiences, family, Family meals, games, gimmies, Interactive learning, Reading, Rituals, traditions Leave a Comment

ThanksGIVING…and then?

by Betsy on Nov.15, 2010, under Holidays, Parent modeling, Parenting

I am always struck by the irony of Thanksgiving, the holiday of giving thanks, being followed so closely by the winter holidays—Christmas and Chanukah—the holidays of gimme gimme gimme. Our children are taught the Thanksgiving story—the horror of the true story somewhat p.c.-ified (made politically correct) to reflect... Read more...

:Appreciation, Chanukah, Charity, Christmas, gimmies, Gratitude, Thanksgiving 6 Comments

“Is Santa Real, Mommy?”

by Betsy on Dec.19, 2009, under Communication, Holidays, Parenting, Toddlers, Transitions

:Beliefs, Christmas, Honesty, Lying, lying to children, Rituals, santa, santa claus, traditions 1 Comment

When Jewish kids want Santa

by Betsy on Dec.12, 2009, under Holidays, Parenting

As young children grow, their interest in and experience with the winter holidays change. This includes learning that different people celebrate different holidays in different ways—Christmas,Chanukah, Kwanza to name just three. It is well within the range of normal development for young children to want for their... Read more...