The past week from 5:30 til 6 p.m., our radio station has had calls to Santa from
local children. Maybe I'm becoming Mrs Grinch, but for every one that's just adorable and asks for a doll and some surprises or a puppy, the next four will ask for a DS, a cell phone, an i-pod touch, a camera, video games and some surprises to boot. One kid asked for all of that and a laptop. These are kids that are young enough to talk to Santa! Sure, not all the kids will get all they want, but their wish list is unbelievable. I don't remember my kid ever asking for that much. Course, being a single mother in his Santa years, I think I told him something along the lines of Santa having to deliver to so many kids that there was a limit to what one kid could ask for. One little fellow asked for "another" i-pod touch. He was about six years old! How old was he when he got the first one and how much more responsible would he be now?
Okay, end of rant. I just really hate to see kids expect to get so much at such a young age. Especially when there are so many in the neighborhood that will be getting their presents from the Salvation Army.
I just have one more related concern. How do you teach your kids to be wary of strangers? Is it okay if they've seen the stranger in pictures, or the stranger gives them presents? The reason behind this obvious question is that so many of the little kids say so sweetly before they hang up, "I love you, Santa." They don't know him! They only know that he brings presents. They might hear their parents talk all year about Obama or Harper, but the kids wouldn't say, "I love you, Mr. Obama." Because he doesn't bring presents! For some reason, that gives me the willies.
Call me the Grinch, but I'm not impressed.
I'm always astounded at how "lame" I've become, as the years go by..
ReplyDeleteI would never use an iPod, because the sound is just terrible..
Don't have, or even want a cell phone, who wants to be at anyone's beck and 'call' 24/7?
Susanna, it's a heck of a Christmas present from Mother Nature, I know, but we are both getting older (I'm 62 in two weeks) and totally "out of it" when it comes to what kids have or want..but that doesn't mean i don't agree that these "presents" seem a bit much.as for saying, I love you to Santa, they are talking about the one in their hearts, I'm sure, and not the one acting like Santa on the radio..like it or not, we have to face the facts..in 2010, this is what passes for reality here...
I hit that lovely age in November so I guess we're both a little lame. And you're probably right, it's the spirit of Christmas in their hearts that they love. I hope.
ReplyDeleteSusan, sorry I missed your birthday! Looking forward to hearing from you.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine children as young as that having their own cell phones, let alone iphones. My child is a teenager and I'll admit I enjoy that he has a cell phone and I have "constant contact" when he is out, but he certainly didn't get it at 6 or 8 and it isn't the internet capable brands either.
ReplyDeleteWow, I thought I was the only one who was amazed at what kids ask for nowadays. I hit 60 next year and try to keep up with everything as I still have a 12 year old at home. No, he is our grandson that we adopted 9 years ago.
ReplyDeleteHe has asked for a cell phone but we won't give him one. He can wait until he is working to buy his own. We don't give him an allowance because as long as he does well in school we buy him most of the best electronics we can afford.
I wish I had an answer to your other concern. That is really a good question for me to ponder over.
Safe Holidays everyone!
Jill