Christmas Is A-Coming
I am not a fan of Christmas, and I know why. I bought into the commercialism hook, line and sinker years ago. Every year I spend tons of money I don’t have on my kids. And then I spend the rest of the year attempting to catch up when all I ever do is get further behind. It’s my own fault. I know this. Still…
My Christmases as a kid were good in terms of presents. I got lots and lots of things. I wanted my kids to have all that and more. They did.
I found out that Holidays are different when you’re the responsible adult in charge of making sure everyone else has fun. I didn’t like it much. That’s not entirely true. I LOVED seeing the looks of joy and delight on everyone’s face. But I didn’t like the fact that nobody ever seemed to care if I had even a smile on mine.
Now, with YoungStud married and understanding the “budget” dilemma himself, I am having a little easier time there. I overspent, but not as much! Chickie, however…… only wants expensive things and doesn’t understand why she can’t have a car and jewelry and high dollar label clothing. I want to give it ALL to her, but I just can’t. No way. No can do. I won’t be able to live up to her desires and she will be pissy. This has been a landmark year for pissiness with Chickie. I know – she’s a Senior in high school and much of this is normal teen-age girl pissiness so I try not to take it too personally……..but it’s hard sometimes. And I don’t want to do pissy.
What I should do is sit down and talk to her and explain it all and be sane and rational and blahblahblahblahblah. But that in itself will cause as much pissiness as everything else put together. Because she is, after all, an “adult” in her mind and doesn’t have to actually talk to me any more. She’s pulling away – as she should – but its not easy for either of us.
And so… I am facing another poopie Christmas…
BUT then I came to school this morning.
And – so far – my kids have brought me cookies, candles, cards and stuffed animals. And I’m smiling a lot…and thinking maybe Christmas ain’t so bad after all….
Have I ever mentioned that I love my kids?
Christmas can be rather a big poop. I overspend, which is never a good thing (I don’t have any income, stupid college) but it’s the season of love and i just can’t help but give! Have a merry Christmas!
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Yep, teenagers are always pissy. It’s part of the job description!
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Oh I remeber so well when my kids were teenagers !! Most definately PISSY ! hugs
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I didn’t dare have an attitude with my parents, they would have sent me off to military school. They had the account and everything. It paid for my college and I still have money in it. YAY for a shower of gifts, especially if they are good ones, from your students!!!
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I love pissy teens! When they belong to someone else, that is. You know, my job can be so difficult at times, and especially right now, when I am hurting, too. But then a patient, who didn’t know my mom died, brought me a handmade ornament that her deceased mother made 10 years ago, and I just burst into tears. Stuff like that keeps me going, ya know?
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sounds to me like your kids love YOU {smile} and so they should.
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ooooo just once or twice! LOL As for Cookie… yeah it will be only teenage angst, hon. She will grow out of it and see the error of her ways….but ya gotta stick it out till then. RYN? Hmmm now wonder WHO coulda started the shower thng? LOL Hugz
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Yeah – if there’s an UPside to 2+ years unemployment, it’s that the 4 teenagers don’t EXPECT the Designer Crapola and are even a teeny bit (dare I use the g-word?) Grateful for what they DO get. ‘Course, the 10-year-olds are easy; I will really miss having grade-school aged children in a couple of years. Since we have to baby everyone else, let’s make a pact to baby ourselves too!
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That’s so cool, about the kids bringing you goodies. I bet it’s cause you’re so good to them. As for Chickie…. you can tell her what my dad always told me. Wish in one hand, shit in the other and see which one fills up faster. 😉 Hey, in the big picture, she’ll be just fine. Stick to your guns, and have a wunnerful holiday.
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Aw, that’s so nice about your kids bringing you things. That’s really sweet. I was pissy from age 14 to about age 21. It makes me wonder how my mother managed to keep loving me. She’s a saint. We all decided to seriously downsize gift giving in my family – sheeze, there’s eight of us! ryn: Well, I probably won’t smoke up with my nephew, but I wouldn’t turn it down if a peer offered it!
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Ditto to WantingMore. If ever there was a cure for a poopy-pissy Christmas! Have a happy one….
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awww, this entry made me smile, SW. nothing like the sincere kindness of kids to make ya feel all warm inside. i remember when my own were young, with not a lot of family or friends around i felt so responsible for making sure their holiday was a good one. some years were much leaner than others, but they were all good. this year is a thin one, but then they’re not so little anymore 🙂
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I am always really glad when Christmas is over!
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<p style ="background-image: url(http://webpages.charter.net/brenda/dearsanta.jpg); background-repeat:no; background-attachment: scroll;width:287;height:362″> I thought of you when I saw this. P.S… best not show this to Chickie. 😉
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So many of us seem to resent the way we’ve come to celebrate Christmas. What would happen if we boycotted it? What if we refused to buy anything, but made a donation to a worthwhile charity instead?
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hmmmm oh I think you have mentioned it before, maybe just a couple…like gajillion times? *grin*
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Hang in there! Teenager girls often do Pissy with their mothers anyway – if it isn’t over one thing it will be over another. It’s got to do with hormones and fighting for becoming an individualo in one’s own right. As I see it, Christmas is about showing one’sappreciation of those we love – and that is exactly what your students are doing!
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RYN: Don’t be silly, I did not bring that cold weather with me. I actually thought it was pretty nice in Florida while we were there. Being a silly person from Wisconsin we went swimming in the pool every night, while the people from Florida were running around with coats on! LOL 🙂
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Happy Solstice, dear Wolfie! 🙂
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GOD JUL DEAREST SUNSHINE FRIEND LIGHT
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ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS SEASON! ! ! WITH WARM THOUGHTS, SMILES, LOVE AND MERRY WISHES …
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I hope you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas my dear! Treasure the good moments & try to ignore the ‘bad’ moments if you can. *with warmest hugs*
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Merry Christmas!
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I do hope you’re having a wonderful holiday! 🙂
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Happy Holidays 😀
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And I went to my mailbox today and checked leftover mail that might have been sorted yesterday and found a card from Florida! A delightful birthday surprise. With a big hug and much love and blessings to you…
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How was your holiday? Better than you expected I hope!!!
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I was thinking that when me and Rich have kids, mayvbe we could skip from 10 to 20. What do you reckon?? Anna’s only nine and I’m getting constant grief from her right now!!
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Happy New Year, SW! 🙂
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So Christmas has come and gone for another year. So has New Year’s Eve! Are you feeling better, ready to get on with another trip around the sun? LOL. I’m glad your kids brought you sweet gifts to thank you for a job well done. Some parts of being a teacher are quite wonderful, aren’t they?
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Hey you, time to update your diary. Just a warning. it might blow up otherwise. And that wouldn’t be fair. ryn. 😛
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Happy new year 🙂
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ryn: on the flowers — know why I photographed them at that angle? The light pink impatiens were replacements for the darker ones that didn’t grow, and there was “hole” in the front line that would just not take anything. So I “hid” it by taking the pic from down below! Haha, don’t tell my secret to the world….ooops. is this public? I disavow all knowledge of my statement!
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I hope Christmas didn’t turn out poopy, although I heartily understand your feelings. Saw a woman on TV the other morning who was over $30K in debt, and about $9K was from Xmas gifts, past and present years. But it showed her teenage daughters with their new jewelry and video games. “You can’t put a price on happiness” the mom simpered. Ha! You bet I can!
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you and Northern Lights should talk. Both of you have daughters who are seniors in high school and both of them can be, well, trying..so, even though you barely know me, trust me, you and Northern Lights need to talk, btw, you can reach her at Key Largo also, since she and I share this site..peace.
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