Tis The Season

Yes, it is the season where it seems like the spending will never end. I'm sure it stresses everyone out regardless of your income. We live a very blessed life so I try very hard to make this a season about giving and not receiving. Don't get me wrong, we aren't rich by any means, but we have everything we could possibly need and then some so we need to share that, especially this time of year.

Isaac has wonderful grandparents on both sides that indulge him plenty this time of year so he won't be lacking in the gifts department. But others will. Other kids that may even go to Isaac's school or live in our neighborhood. The past few years, Isaac is of an age where he needs to know that not all little kids get to sit down with the Toys-R-Us book and circle what they want and actually get it all. It is my mission as his mother to teach him to have a giving heart. Last year we had him pick out toys to donate to Toys For Tots. I remember him telling the cashier that we were buying toys for the "unfortunate" children. I think he heard me say "less fortunate", but the cashier understood and so did Isaac. He loves to put money in the Salvation Army kettle. He knows it helps people who don't have a lot of money. Isaac and I were cleaning out his room (in preparation for the ridiculous amounts of presents he will get at Christmas) and we found toys from his birthday that were still in the package. Isaac and I talked about what we should do with the toys and he willingly agreed we should give them to Toys For Tots again. Proud Momma Moment.

This year, Isaac's class adopted a family off an Angel Tree. After I volunteered to fulfill the wish list of the oldest child in the family I admit, I immediately got stressed out about the extra expense because as I said earlier, it seems like the spending is never ending this time of year. I started getting resentful of the other mom's in Isaac's class that weren't volunteering to donate anything to this family. It took a lot of self talk to realize that I shouldn't judge those other mom's. I don't know their life. Maybe some of them are actually Angel Tree families as well. What a joy it was to fulfill a wish list for an eleven year old One Direction fan. And the total cost ended up being about the same amount of money we might waste eating out on a Friday night. What a good lesson for Isaac, to know that the things we bought may be the only Christmas gifts this girl gets this year and all we had to do was eat at home on a Friday night. I hope that sinks in with Isaac and he is grateful for the life he has.

Tis the season, folks. I challenge each of you to do something nice for someone else, particularly someone less fortunate that you. I realize budgets are tight especially this time of year. Mine is too. You don't have to spend money to fulfill this challenge. Donate your time and energy. That can be just as valuable as monetary donations. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.