I'm so happy. We had a good talk with our 3 older boys about Christmas.

**simplemom** · 12-17-2003, 09:52 PM

I just have to share with you...

Pierre and I have been stressing very much about Christmas and gifts for our boys...One wanted a X-box..(259 $canadian) and another wanted a skateboard ($100), $100 dollar shoes, and another wanted us to pay for his ski pass ($285)...*sigh* ....fortunately Patrick is small and is just dreaming about santa...

Well, yesterday, Pierre and I went to the store and bought the x-box plus a game--total spent:$340 canadian--on our visa card, which was already starting to be filled with home repairs($300 something)...well, now this evening, we freaked out when we saw the depts that were acumulating...visa, the credit account at the bank...then I said---NO! We can't just go on like this, just to please the boys...so we had a talk with them...

...about how we love them and are afraid to decieve them with Christmas and that with dad not working, we have no money...and we asked them questions, what they thought, etc...
Finally, they told us that they would be very happy even if they don't get what they asked for. THEY UNDERSTOOD!

I was soooo happy, because I know how Pierre is stressed with money, since he is on sick leave...

Anyhow, I just wanted to tell you, since I am so happy and even suprise that they didn't whine or complain. It took off a big pressure off our shoulders...and tomorrow we are returning th x-box and the game....(we didn't tell, though, we had already bought it.)

So that is what I wanted to share!

**Dixie** · 12-17-2003, 10:00 PM

Your dkids are so sweet! You've done a great job with them.

**KKCondrey** · 12-17-2003, 10:08 PM

you have such understanding children.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-17-2003, 10:21 PM

I love how resiliant kids are when you sit down with them and talk to them. You have wondereful kids Lucie and I know that even though you can't spend a lot for Christmas, your Christmas is still going to be special because your all going to be together. Thats what Christmas is all about.

You give those boys big hugs from their village aunties and tell them were all so proud of them.

**Strawberry** · 12-17-2003, 10:37 PM

I'm glad you talked with your kids and they understand.

I total understand where you're coming from. My dh has been laid off for 4 months now and we don't have money for Christmas and are not going into debt do buy gifts.

About a month ago we talked with our dkids and they understand too. We talked about having a month of Christmas instead of one day. Everyday in December we have done something special together. For example we have borrowed free movies and had movie and popcorn night, games day, gone for walk on the nature trails and brought hot chocolate for later, had snowball fights and went sledding, looked through old photo albums and worked on puzzles. We even made cookies as a family. So far the kids have love it and asked for this to be a tradition. In talking to our kids, who are all teenagers, it's not what they receive for Christmas that matters. It's the time spent doing things as a family. I hope they still feel the same Christmas morning.

to you and your family.

**voodidit** · 12-17-2003, 10:50 PM

You did the right thing by talking to them, and I'm glad they understood. I wish there was something I could do to help you out. I've been on medical leave myself since August so Christmas is going to be short here this year too. I thnk just being together makes things better.

 

 

**Guest1** · 12-17-2003, 10:52 PM

Originally posted by homesteadmamma
I love how resiliant kids are when you sit down with them and talk to them. You have wondereful kids Lucie and I know that even though you can't spend a lot for Christmas, your Christmas is still going to be special because your all going to be together. Thats what Christmas is all about.

You give those boys big hugs from their village aunties and tell them were all so proud of them.

EXACTLY! ('specially that hug part!!)

I'm constantly amazed at how kiddos understand - even want to understand - when things are tight.....When we went from what we considered good money to ARMY pay, it broke our hearts to have to tell the kiddos that things like Pop-Tarts couldn't be bought anymore - imagine our surprise when they told us that they weren't crazy about them anyway, only ate them because we always bought them! You are truly blessed with awesome kiddos, as we are....how liberating this must be for you!!!!!!!!

**Heather** · 12-17-2003, 11:11 PM

Oh Lucie! I'm sending you big (((HUGS)))) Your boys are wonderful and you and Pierre have the best gift of all in them!! It brought tears to my eyes reading your post, not because you were taking the gift back but because of the honesty and understanding of you all.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 12-17-2003, 11:14 PM

Your kids won't remember the electronic junk. They WILL remember the time spent as a family! My favorite Christmas memories are of the times we were BROKE and made do!

**doodlebug** · 12-17-2003, 11:21 PM

What wonderful boys you have

You and Pierre must feel so blessed to have such wonderful children.
I like Strawberry's idea of making Christmas special doing "family" things together that don't cost money or cost very little, it creates so many wonderful memories that everyone will carry with them through the years; when people reminisce about past holidays they usually remember the people they were with, what they did, etc, it's not the stuff or toys that they reminisce about. I know dd and I have a wonderful time baking cookies, decorating and watching silly Christmas shows on tv; dh and dd put up the outside lights together each year and this year have been in a conspiracy about a "secret" gift that she is making herself in her room for me, getting dh to help her with it. I think all these things are so much more important than "stuff". I hope you and your family have a very blessed Christmas

**homesteadmamma** · 12-17-2003, 11:30 PM

Strawberry I love your month of Christmas idea. What a wonderful tradition for your family. Thanks for sharing it with us.

**heavensent_7** · 12-18-2003, 06:31 AM

What a lovely post!

I fell into a trap like this. Last year I bought DS an electric scooter because he HAD to have one, he's been on it twice!

This year I 'tried' to do the same again, although he also wanted an x-box and I didn't have the money to get one and felt awful. I have still spent money I don't really have though. And it IS stupid.

They don't remember half of what they get and you CAN'T buy them. I'm going to try and rememdy this next year.

You and your children have my full admiration and love.

**Darlene** · 12-18-2003, 06:56 AM

It will indeed be a Merry Christmas in your home Lucie.
You all have what matters most...each other.

**PrairieRose** · 12-18-2003, 09:40 AM

You made a wise move Lucie, one that your boys will always remember and will probably pass on to their own families oneday. It's such a blessing to live in a wonderful, loving family where honesty trumps materialism. I hope you have a blessed holiday season.

**simplemom** · 12-18-2003, 10:47 AM

Thank-you so much everyone!

You all touched me again, too!

Don't worry Angie about us. We still are ok, even if money is very tight. We will have a beautiful Christmas especially now that we have cleared things out with the children. I still count on giving them something for Chrsitmas, but it will be much smaller....

Guess what? Mathieu(12) came to me this morning saying I could buy him a $20 tee-shirt he likes, if it was ok...Can you imagine how sweet and generous that was from him! I couldn't believe my eyes! I told him, it could be possible and to wait till Chrsitmas morning to see his the suprise...

Strawberry, I really like your idea about your Chrsitmas month! It's great! We should try to do that!

Afterall, you are all right...

Christmas is about being as a family and making memories...

Thanks! Christmas will be special, this year, I'm sure...and even more so, because of you, my friends.