This morning I actually turned on the news. The children, perhaps sated with the pound of candy they must have eaten yesterday, did not ask for breakfast the second we came down the stairs. Of course, it might not have been the chocolate at all - it might have been the fact that there were NEW TOYS. Some of which were still in their boxes.
I tackled the cars quickly enough. But then Ironflower brought me her Barbie Vacation House. As I pulled out the many pieces, I was very glad that Santa did not blow most of Ironflower's present budget on the Barbie Townhouse. If he had, I would have had to watch a movie while I put it together. Or maybe the entire Lord of the Rings series. As it was, I got to watch a rather large chunk of Headline News' morning cycle.
I didn't pay close attention, so I don't know why they were showing the video of a little boy on Christmas morning. But I know I dropped the itty bitty margarita pitcher (okay, the guide called it a lemonade pitcher, but it's pretty obvious to me that Barbie is more likely to drink margaritas while she's on vacation from being a pilot and a beauty queen and a ballerina and her 18 other jobs) when the little boy started his tantrum about getting books for Christmas.
Now, I'm not saying that my kids jumped up and down over everything they got. Lovebug MAY have opened a box of clothes, said, "New clothes!" and then tossed the box to the side without even noticing his new Lightning McQueen hat. Hugmonkey may have refused to open any presents after finding his first box of cars. Ironflower may have already forgotten about the Squinkies she had to have after seeing countless commercials for them (thanks, Hub!). But.
My kids do not throw tantrums when given any kind of gift.
And they actually like books. Not that you would have noticed this yesterday.
Though, honestly, it's not the kid's reaction to the books that upsets me ( Much. 3 year olds who hate picture books sometimes turn into 7 year olds who can't read and 18 year olds who vote for Sarah Palin). It's the parents laughing and putting it on YouTube. Sure, I've laughed about my kids' bad behavior before. But not in front of them. And I certainly haven't posted it on YouTube so the entire world can see my child act like a brat.
And then there's the fact that CNN thought this would be a great holiday segment.
You know what would be a great holiday segment, CNN? The kid in the ghetto who gets a book as his only Christmas present and is THRILLED. Or any of the people who volunteer with Toys for Tots and the other organizations that give to kids who will appreciate it.
7 comments:
I absolutely totally agree with you. great post!
I am like you, I avoid the news because of all the negativity.
I catch the weather and thats it.
I have enough things in life to bring me down. I dont need any extra.
I am not heartless, I just cant handle addtl stress or worry.
I leave it for all those ppl that can handle it.
Those people are amazing.
every christmas I give all the kids on my list a book. this year I even recycled, giving gently used books to most. some of them love them some of them don't...but I know I'm doing a good thing anyway.
wish the news would have found a kid who was thrilled to get that one book...
@Anonymous Thank you!
@KittyCatIt's just - half of it isn't even news anymore. And it definitely adds to stress.
@silkenYou are a wonderful gift giver. I think that's great!
I gave a book this year, and was thanked by the child because she both likes to read and likes the subject of the book (Glee).
I personally ask for books as gifts, and have since I was a kid.
I have to agree with you, that they should have showed the grateful to get even one present kid instead of the viral tantrum.
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