Parenthood Thread

[R3bauer]

Our tradition is Santa would bring a book, some simple toys like GI Joe's, Star Wars figures, and legos were always hit for my three sons. And one great big gift for them all to share. Like a fully stocked tackle box, or baseball gloves, or bats.

Now that I am a Grumpa, the granddaughters get a book, and outfit, a couple of toys, and a gift for them to share. They are one and three so this year they got restocked with pots, pans, food, and dishes for their toy kitchen

 

[saysfaa]

We didn't do Santa. For gifts, we favored experiences rather than things. It was not exclusively so but they were common and popular gifts. Examples: Homemade tickets to an afternoon of swimming or ice skating or bowling, craft classes of various kinds. Going to the zoo is a popular date choice for all of them.

Among the more popular physical things given as gifts: flashlights, stick-on "earrings", knex.

 

[R3bauer]

We didn't do Santa. For gifts, we favored experiences rather than things. It was not exclusively so but they were common and popular gifts. Examples: Homemade tickets to an afternoon of swimming or ice skating or bowling, craft classes of various kinds. Going to the zoo is a popular date choice for all of them.

Among the more popular physical things given as gifts: flashlights, stick-on "earrings", knex.

We were young and broke raising 3 sons in a 16x80 mobile home. I was working two jobs and DW was also working full time. We had a 10 acre pond 500 feet from our place and so we did a lot fishing. I never liked the idea of Santa giving great big gifts like video game systems and such to the boys.
DW always made sure that was from us. I wax running a sporting goods store in those days so Santa could get the bats and gloves, and other stuff at a discount.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

We don't do xmas at all.
Our children are happy and just because we don't do it doesn't mean our children never get toys and stuff. I mean why does a guy in a fat suit get the credit for something you work for? That isn't the reason we don't do it scripturally is why we don't do it. Our children's favorite memories is doing things together as a family. We don't need traditions to that we just live life together! Hiking and sleigh riding is biggies for them as far has happy memories go.
My hubby has gotten them electrical boards to do with him for fun/hobby. They are all excited! Time together means so much to children esepcially how things are these days and life seems to move so fast!

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

We have five children
What are your best pieces advice for new parents?
Putting LORD JESUS first and raising our children in His word makes everything so much easier and better! We are to love one another and forgive one another! That means Daddy and Mama aren't perfect either and neither are they. We have to forgive and not hold grudges and grow and learn together! Like previously said each stage is hard while you are in it! They are growing so fast! Nothing on this side of Jordan is going to be perfect. Instagram/facebook is a lie! People who have picture perfect houses and children who never do wrong or cry and everything just seems in place is not true. But the love and good times out weigh the hard times! Remember you are not alone in motherhood!

What are some tips and tricks you might have for balancing care of the child/children, your livestock/pets, and household chores. Those are some of my main challenges right now!

Our children are bigger so we are past the baby stage (for now )
but if I had a really small little one babywearing is how I would get it done! I wore all of our babies, and it is the best! My husband did a bit to! We did have a stroller for certain things, but the every day babywearing is how I got it done! To make life simple make a list of meals your family enjoys and shop for that and follow your plan so you don't have to think about it to much! And emergency chicken nuggets/convience food is always a good back up! That way if you are out in the garden until 6 and everyone is looking at you for dinner when you are exhausted it's so much better not to have to think about making a meal! I'm a list maker so make a list of realistic chores you need to get done for the day that way you can visually see it and not get off course on something else.

 

[R3bauer]

All that being said, I honestly hate the holidays. I am not a Christian nor any other religion. I don't feel that a day on a calendar should dictate when to give someone you care about a gift. I feel the same about birthdays. I absolutely hate receiving gifts personally. I love giving them but hate getting them.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Christmas is celebrated a little differently in the Orthodox church, and I can't wait to see how that play out when it comes to traditions with the kids. Most notably, we fast for the 40 days prior, Advent. Christmas is very much about Christ's birth for us, but we do still enjoy traditions like Christmas trees, gifts, holiday food, etc. The food is a big one, because Christmas is a Feast Day and the end of the Advent fast! The fasting and spiritual preparations make it much more special for us.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

We don't celebrate it because I have never read of any of the apostles or Church doing it. LORD JESUS has always been! I am forever grateful for His flesh birth and sacrifice for dying for me a sinner! Without Him life would be loss! We do teach the children the scriptures concerning His flesh birth! I don't deny He was born in the flesh, but it is important that they know He has always been and always will be! God provided the perfect sacrifice!!