Many kids have parents convinced that life will just be a bust without the
latest video game or hottest cell phone. With the recession looming large
though, parents are struggling to shelter the children from their financial and
employment woes, yet bestow upon them a memorable Christmas.
As parents withhold
their concerns, their children continue to up the ante for this year's
Christmas take. The risk is either a disappointing Christmas or overwhelming
New Year's bills.
The challenge is for parents to resist the incoming tide of subtle and not so
subtle expectations.
To reduce the risk of Christmas gift disappointment and overwhelming bills, try
some family financial Christmas planning with these strategies:
1.
Be
honest and forthright with teenaged children about your financial and
employment concerns, without trying to instill fear. Let your children know of
your plans to survive the economic meltdown including cutting back on the
Christmas gift-giving budget. This may actually put them to ease despite their
upset at the impact of the current economic situation too.
2.
Inform
your children of your budget and ask them for their gift preferences in line
with the budget. When expectations are clear on both sides, there is less room
for disappointment.
3.
Involve
your children in cost-cutting decisions and making plans for Christmas
celebrations. It just may be that if included, they come up with some good
ideas. Being part of the planning process, they will then likely enjoy what you
mutually determine.
4.
Pool
resources. You may not be able to afford that one special gift yourself.
However, if you go in on it with a few relatives, it may then be affordable. So
the answer may not be how many gifts are given and received, but how many
people contribute to that one special present.
Children typically
respond and adjust better to change when they are part of the process. The
recession is real and discussing it with them can help them to cope better and you
to feel better. Children may be initially disappointed and that would be normal
and reasonable. However, they too must learn to live within their means and
make the best of life and circumstances. A memorable Christmas may just be one
where everyone comes together with a workable plan to enjoy the day.
Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
(905) 628-4847
gary@yoursocialworker.com
http://www.yoursocialworker.com
Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an
expert on child development, parent-child relations, marital and family
therapy, custody and access recommendations, social work and an expert for the
purpose of giving a critique on a Section 112 (social work) report. Call him
for your next conference and for expert opinion on family matters. Services
include counselling, mediation, assessment, assessment critiques and workshops.
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