Most parents love to shower their children with love, affection, and lot’s of gifts and toys!
With the holidays coming soon, now is the time to decide how to employ healthy holiday
gifting. Consider overall development and well-being when deciding on appropriate
gifts. While it’s normal to desire to give abundantly to your child, there are reasons to be
concerned when excessive gifts further unhealthy motivations, beliefs, and attitudes, or
compromise safety.
According to the American Psychological Associations Task Force on Advertising and
Children, $12 billion per year is spent to reach children. It further states that children
view more than 40,000 commercials each year. Children are constantly hearing messages
that say, “You need this item to feel or look better. Your life will be better if you had
this item. Your friends will like you if you buy this.” Parents are constantly pressured
by their children for the latest electronic device, clothing item, etc. Many busy parents
are pressured by feelings of not having enough money to buy expensive items for their
children. Others try to compensate time away by making sure that their children have all
the latest “stuff.”
When children are surrounded by non-stop gifts, it becomes easy for a young child to feel
that getting “things” is the most important pursuit in life. The child’s personal values can
begin to rely on excessive gifts as a measure of self-worth and happiness. While this is a
problem that any parent can face, there are solutions. Here are a few suggestions that can
help your child avoid some of the false beliefs and appreciate the gifts that you give.
• Encourage your child to value family and good friends. Teach him that relationships
with people are far more lasting and important than any gift. Love should never be
equated with things.
• When you purchase several gifts at once, like during the holidays, encourage your
child to purge some of her gently used toys, electronics, athletic gear and clothes, and
give them to charity.
• Adopt a family in need during the holidays. As a family, work with a non-profit
organization or someone you know to offer gifts and food for a disadvantaged family.
• Practice saying thank you and giving compliments to each other.
• Have a family dinner and allow each family member to express 3 reasons why they are
Pay attention to your child’s behavior and maturity as you consider purchasing gifts. Try
to express that receiving gifts is a privilege for which we should all be grateful. Let your
child know that your love for him goes far beyond material things. Also, help your child
to see the many other advantages that he has. Remind him of good friends, family and
other privileges like quality education, and other acts of love and adoration.
Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies believes that happy, loved, connected children are
destined for success in every facet of their lives. Our most cherished principle, “Hug
First, Then Teach,” defines every aspect of our educational process and priorities.
About Kids 'R' Kids®
Headquartered in the North Atlanta suburb of Duluth, GA, Kids 'R' Kids
Learning Academies® provide a secure, nurturing, and educational
environment for children (ages 6 weeks - 12 years) to bloom into
responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society.
With over 160 locations in 15 states, Kids 'R' Kids International®
is a family owned and operated organization that ranks in the top
10 nationwide for franchised early childhood education centers
