Kids and Christmas question

[Sigarms]

At what age do you find children not always thinking about themselves during Christmas and start to perhaps think about others, particularly family?

My boys are 14, honestly, kind of disapointed because not once have they asked about what can they get for someone else.

I was probably as bad as them, just don't remember it.

God forbid we talk about the reason for the season.

 

[Jchonline]

Probably after they are out on their own. I have 2 boys as well.

 

[RNeumann]

About 2 years old. You’ve got some catching up to do!

Every dollar has 3 functions. Some to give, some to save and some to spend. Sounds like they only understand 1 or 2 of those.

 

[bunyip]

A lot of variables, some only think of themselves but my daughters would go without to give from about 14.
I work with adults who may as well still be 5 year olds, all about me.

 

[Big Barn]

I would have to guess a gradual change of attitude between 5-7 years of age for my daughter. Having lost her mother at an early age may have had a bearing on it.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Sig, unfortunately the concept of how powerful giving can be is lost forever for some people, while others grasp it early on... even when given simular upbringings. It often has alot to do with how one is raised, I notice that in my wife and I, who come from dramatically different homes, dispite having grown up only a few miles apart outside a small rural community.

Even in our own kids, whom we try to guide and inspire as best we can, and take full responsibility for their care, not passing them off to sitters like many do, still have been influenced by the materialistic world we live in...

The joy of giving must be impressed upon them at any time, when the opportunity to have that heart-to-heart talk with your kids is there, even if its the heat of July as you heave bales of hay on a trailer for your self-centered father-in-law who wont help you get your own hay in for his daughter's horses... hmmm, sounds like there's a story there, doesnt it? Had many a hay wagon talk with my kids, about doing things for the right reason. Some get it. Some dont.

Lest I forget... Merry Christmas to you all!

 

[cat fever]

Perhaps next year you could find a family that is really struggling and talk to your wife and kids about doing a sub for Santa type thing. Have your boys help find the gifts to give and help deliver them.

My boys never new poor or humble circumstances. We did the sub for Santa thing a few times, it's something they'll never forget. They are now 28 and 29 and still give to charity willingly.

 

[MossRoad]

At what age do you find children not always thinking about themselves during Christmas and start to perhaps think about others, particularly family?

My boys are 14, honestly, kind of disapointed because not once have they asked about what can they get for someone else.

I was probably as bad as them, just don't remember it.

God forbid we talk about the reason for the season.

I had 4 older sisters and I remember from a very early age, probably around 2 or 3 years old, my mom "suggesting" I get each of them a little tube of perfume from the Avon lady. For some reason, my mom always had a box full of Avon products that she just knew that my sisters would love if I gave it to them. :laughing:

So I'd give them each a little gift and they really seemed to like it and that made me feel good. And they always seemed to get me a Hot Wheel or Matchbox car. I'm guessing mom had a box of toys for me in her closet somewhere as well.

I'm now 57 and still get each of them a gift or two every year and likewise they get my wife, children and me small gifts for Christmas and birthdays, or even just out of the blue for no reasons at all other than "Hey, I found this and thought of you."

So, it starts early with some covert guidance from parents.