Receiving Gifts

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Permalink Reply by Deb~ Community Manager on April 29, 2011 at 4:13am

Not wrong at all. I felt the same way as my grandchildren received as many. I think it is we felt there are so many doing without and wishing maybe that we could spread the joy to others too....

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Permalink Reply by Christi U. on April 29, 2011 at 7:16am

I don't think there's anything wrong with relishing in the love that all of those people bestowed on your sweet 2-yr-old. At the same time, it could be a perfect opportunity to Pass It Forward with her as the initiator. You could ask her if she would like to take a portion from each of her baskets and make one for someone special in her life-a neighbor, a friend, or an adoptive grandparent. There's nothing wrong with being lucky, especially if it's an opportunity to share the joy. :)

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Permalink Reply by Mary Johnson on April 29, 2011 at 4:54pm

Love it.

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Permalink Reply by Deb~ Community Manager on April 29, 2011 at 9:46am

That is a wonderful idea Christi!

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Permalink Reply by Mary Johnson on April 29, 2011 at 5:06pm

What a compliment to your daughter (and you!) that so many wanted to shower her with gifts.  I don't know that your concern had anything to do with not being a willing recipient - it was quite a bounty for anyone!  I agree with the other replies, I understand feeling a little overwhelmed by the generosity, but they were gifts and teaching your beautiful little girl to share her gifts is a great opportunity for you both.  Have fun and let us know how it goes, should you accept this mission.  :-)

 

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Permalink Reply by Carylina on April 30, 2011 at 6:50pm

This is a very thoughtful question. Like you I am uneasy at the abundance of gifts given some children. I think children ought to be taught that when they receive it's the perfect time and the right thing to give gifts themselves. I gave some $$ to my secondborn granddaughter in person and she didn't even thank me! I go into people's homes and see overloaded containers of toys etc that are hardly used. What does this practice of giving so much to some children who already have an abundant life teach them?

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Permalink Reply by Rach on May 1, 2011 at 2:27am

I struggle with this at every holiday.  I am not a material person and I hate having clutter of stuff we don't need around the house.  I typically do donate a lot of items or re-gift.  It is being green!  I have even told the grandparents that my daughter has her own bank account and that if they would like to make a deposit that would be great but they don't seem to get it.  I have started really thinking of things she may need in the future and ask for those items for holiday's and birthday's.  I have a very materialistic SIL that has set the tone with the first set of grandkids.  I think by both being more open to accepting these gifts (I wear my emotions on my sleeve!) but also work on setting a tone with my daughter to give away what we don't need will be my plan. 

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Permalink Reply by Deb~ Community Manager on December 2, 2011 at 4:36am

This is a wonderful lesson for us all...

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