One of the most famous Christmas traditions Yes Share gifts with your loved ones. For this reason, Christmas is one of the children’s favorite holidays, and they often receive some toys and other gifts on this day.
Toys are sold at The United States has soared in 2020, with millions of families staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a February 2021 statement from the Toy Association: “The silver lining of the pandemic is that it helps families rediscover the joy of spending time together and discover the value of bringing games into daily life.”
The association expects that this year families will “seek new toys that promote unity and inclusive toys that children of different abilities and interests can enjoy,” the statement said.
But, will these toys and other gifts endanger children’s health?
Will too many gifts harm your child?
When giving gifts to children during the holidays, different factors need to be paid attention to.
Dr. David Palmiter, a clinical psychologist certified by the board, told us that although giving children Christmas gifts may be harmful, it is unlikely to “replace childcare practices that promote adaptability.” Weekly newspaper.
Similar to playing video games, it is of course unhealthy to spoil your child, “but it’s not as damn as some people think, especially when other things in the family are going well,” Pamit explained.
The psychologist said that the word “spoiled” can be seen as the opposite of the word “disciplined”. In the United States, “disciplined” “seems to be confused with kicking ass-it is not the case,” he said. .
The etymology of the word “disciplined” is “teach”, and Palmit believes that the basic teaching of “when it comes to the bullseye of a disciplined dart target” is to train your children to do things when they don’t like it.
“This special mental muscle, if well developed, can help adults achieve their personal and professional goals. Babies cannot be self-disciplined when they are born.
“As parents, we want our children to be competent [discipline] By the time they leave home. And, if they are not, they are likely to return home. On this stage, the number of gifts children receive is unlikely to be a major player,” Parmet explained.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
How many Christmas gifts should parents give their children?
The short answer?There is no prescribed formula, nor can it tell parents what is appropriate Christmas gift For their children.
Speaking of Weekly newspaper, David S. DeLugas, executive director and general counsel of the National Parents Association (ParentsUSA), stated that “the number of gifts, the degree of luxury (or lack) of gifts, or the appropriateness of gifts Parents decide”. Their gifts… as long as the gifts do not cause long-term emotional or physical harm.
De Lugas said: “Of course we hope that parents use their specific knowledge of children or children to avoid harming children through gifts.”
Palmiter said: “I don’t believe that our science can tell us that X-quantity gifts are adaptive, while Y-quantity is problematic,” explained that “one-on-one time with parents is good for most young children. More popular than the newest. And the hottest toy or gadget.”
The psychologist said that it is possible to capture the charm of the holiday without spending a lot of money, and suggested not to use economic resources for gifts.
“I find that when parents do this, they are trying to create a magical experience for their children. However, it is much better to execute creativity than to spend money,” he said.
Palmiter also pointed out that overspending on gifts will only lead to post-holiday stress because you are trying to make up for debt from expenses, which will make you “unavailable to intentional parents”.
Dr. Robin H. Gurwitch, Clinical Psychologist Duke University Medical Center and Child and Family Health Center tell Monetarism in MarketWatch In 2018, parents are often forced to overpay because of guilt, “especially if they worry about not spending enough time with their children this year, or they want to give their children more than they did when they were growing up.”
However, Gurwitch says, vacations can be “a good time of the year to help your children become grateful children. They will cherish what they have. This is one of the best gifts you can give.”
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Regardless of the number, setting gift limits is important, according to Psychotherapist Sean Grover, author When children give orders: how to take control from your dear bully-and enjoy parenting again.
In an article in 2015 Psychology Today, Grover explained: “A meaningful gift has more emotional value than a bunch of ordinary gifts. Setting limits on gifts inspires more thoughtfulness and consideration for children. It also ensures that everyone experiences the same amount of giving and receiving. .”
According to a study, when it comes to the approximate number of gifts to be given, perhaps less is better for the child. Study in 2018 Published in the journal by researchers at the University of Toledo, Ohio Infant behavior and development.
A study of 36 children found that “too many toys will reduce the quality of children’s play”, and “fewer disposable toys may help children to concentrate better and play more creatively.”
Meghan Brunson, a mother who lives in Phoenix told Moneyish, She applied the “4 Principles” to Christmas gifts for her four children. According to reports, this method is adopted by many parents, who need to give their children a gift, one that they need, one that they can wear, and one that they can read.
Brunson said at the time: “Less is more. Compared to the years when we spoiled them, the children actually had a more enjoyable holiday.”
New York mother Jennifer Nevins (Jennifer Nevins) runs a blog/brand Savor.us about creating memories. She told Moneyish that she must also adjust the way she gives gifts to three children during Hanukkah. She pointed out: “People expect gifts every night. But that doesn’t mean you will get the Lego Death Star every night.
“My child can usually choose a larger gift, and then we can add something smaller,” she said.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
The effect of overindulging children’s gifts
In an article in 2019 Psychology Today, Parenting expert and child/family therapist Merrie Wallace explained that spoiling your child with too many gifts can create unhealthy expectations for receiving gifts.
She wrote that with the new toys and other objects that can be seen everywhere during the holidays, children quickly “be fascinated by the experience of receiving gifts, and they hope that gifts will continue to come”.
Grover said that excessive indulgence of children will increase destructive behavior, reduce their self-esteem, and deprive them of lasting happiness.
According to psychotherapists, children who “grab gifts greedily during holidays” suffer negative social and emotional consequences beyond childhood.
Grover explained that, according to a study by the University of Missouri, as adults, these children are more likely to bear credit card debt, gambling, and compulsive shopping.
“Persistent self-esteem is rooted in a strong sense of identity, not materialism. Excessiveness does not mean an increase in self-worth,” he said.
According to Grover, children with less material wealth but good relationships with their parents and peers score higher on the self-esteem assessment test. Compared with children whose parents overly condone the disorder, these children have fewer behavioral problems and show greater resilience in the face of obstacles.
He also pointed out that children who only value receiving gifts are “more likely to become self-centered and lack empathy.” Therefore, it is very important to help them cultivate generosity to others in order to foster a healthy sense of interconnection and personal happiness.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
How to manage Christmas gifts for children
Gurwitch said that for those with older school-age children, managing their children’s expectations is important, she told money.
She recommends sitting down and chatting with your child and saying “Hey, let’s talk about Christmas or Hanukkah this year.”
Phrases like “we can’t afford it” should be avoided because they can make children feel pressured about their financial security. Instead, it can be said: “We will reduce the size of the gift because we have to save money for the holidays” or “We want to make sure that we can take care of what we need throughout the year,” Gulvić suggested.
Parents can also explain that your family’s rules for gifts are different from other families.
For young children who believe in Santa Claus, Gurwitch advises: “Santa Claus will check with his parents before choosing what gifts to bring to you. He will choose things based on where we live and what is important to us.”
Dr. Lauren Knickerbocker, a child psychologist at the Lange Healthy Children Research Center of New York University, Tell Moneyish Parents should let their children know that “it’s okay to be disappointed that they didn’t get everything they wanted-but look at all the toys they got.”
She said: “If they pouting, acting as if they don’t like something, or refuse to say’thank you’, don’t show a big personal reaction.”
Psychologists say that all children go through this stage, but as they get older, they will learn to be more grateful.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Which Christmas gifts are best for children?
Palmetto says that gifts that promote physical activity can sometimes help “collaborate with other adaptive parenting agendas.”
He suggested that any gift that supports common interests with parents can also be a good gift. For example, if you and your child both like this sport, you can start collecting baseball cards together.
He added that any “software game that sneaks into the learning agenda” can also work well.
Palmiter also warned: “I also have to remember that if a child spends more than two hours of electronic entertainment a day with sedentary time, then the child is likely to fail to achieve their goals in other important areas, such as social activities, sports activities, school homework, etc. , Share in family ceremonies.”
Grover suggests that it is best to choose gifts that enhance creativity, talent, or motor skills, such as musical instruments or paint sets.
“Children like to discover new talents. This enhances their self-esteem and self-confidence. They also learned that they don’t need too many items from me to feel good,” Grover said.
Knickerbocker told Moneyish that parents should directly ask their children what they want instead of letting them choose an item from the catalog.
She said at the time: “It’s not about letting the toy catalog instill ideas in him, but we received some very creative requests, such as’a crocodile that talks to me’.”
The psychologist also suggested that parents ask why their children want something-do they need a tablet to do their homework? Or do they just want it because it is an iPad?
