The house is decorated in festive cheer of twinkling lights, wobbly Santa candles, and colourful poinsettias dot the house with of course the fragrance of Christmas wafting through the hallways, Christmas is indeed in the air. The household is in full swing and we are once again ready for a blessed Christmas. Children being children expectantly awaiting Santas' goodies on Christmas day, but irrespective of the materialistic gifts given and received, I hope my children have understood what this season is about. As most holidays are, family plays a big role in celebrating the festivities of the season. Good times are many to be had. But I feel during these festive times we should also concentrate in teaching our children other qualities that make the season. For those of that particular faith it is important to teach the children the ins and outs of their faith.
But one can be awfully religious and lack the true qualities of humanity and vice versa. Here are some important qualities to teach your children this holiday season:
1. Inspire them to hope
Encourage your children to dream, to wish and to hope for better things in life. Rather than being given everything they desire on a silver platter, encourage children to work hard and dream big. Christmas is also the best time to share your hopes and dreams together as a family. You can even make it a family tradition and ask everyone to set themselves goals to achieve the coming year. It is important to teach children that hard-work can also end in good results.
2. Value simplicity
Of course one of the perks of the Christmas holidays for kids is the thought of Santa and all the goodies he brings along. But presents don’t also have to be expensive and elaborate. The simple homemade gifts are ones made truly out of love, anyone can buy a gift but to make to take the time to make something for someone really shows that you love and care for them. Get your children to make little gifts for family friends, discuss and ask them to plan their ideas, get supplies and make a project out of it. It will keep them occupied and your loved ones will treasure these family keepsakes.
3. Be Grateful and thankful
Christmas is a time to be thankful for the joys and blessings that you have. Get the kids to make a list of their blessings and well as things that they are grateful for. It is important for them to realize that there is so much more than the merriment's and presents of Christmas. By making these lists they value and give important to the intricacies of life, the people we take for granted and the things we have that we do not appreciate, it will help to change their perspectives.
4. Spreading Christmas joy
Your children are able to experience the joy of receiving the presents that they want, teach them to give to the less fortunate and let them also experience the joy in giving. That feeling that you are making someone else happy with your actions or contributions is an important gift that you are giving your children.
5. Celebrate love
With the crazy busy days that we have, sometimes we don’t stop and take a moment to tell our kids that we love them. It is merely understood that our love for them is there and it is undying. But occasionally telling or doing things with your child really helps to make them feel cared for. Love can be expressed in different ways through actions or words, this love will fill our hearts and homes. Teach your children to do random acts of kindness to their friends and family and be paid only in hugs and kisses.
Learning about love, goodwill, charity and kindness to others are important qualities to still in your child during their formative years. They might be highlighted during this festive season, but this helps to make the children more aware of them. So despite the goodies in their stocking or the number of present under the Christmas tree, the true gifts of the season are the qualities that your children cherish in their heart and souls and those are gifts for life. Merry Christmas!
By Mayuri Jayasinghe
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