In a recent interview for the Boys Alive! Discover HIS World On-line Event (www.boysaliveevent.com), Emily Rempe of www.productiveparenting.com encouraged parents to ask the gift-givers in your son’s life to BUY AN EXPERIENCE rather than add more ‘stuff’ to the already over-flowing book shelves and toy boxes.
Emily explains buying an experience rather than a gift, “Grandparents may buy a lesson or a ticket to something and they and the child make a day of it.” We want children to be in a strong and nurturing relationship with the adults in their life but we’re often frustrated when it doesn’t happen naturally.
She continues, “Life is busy and relationships just don’t happen on their own. It is important to create an environment in which relationships can flourish through shared activity (and boys especially love the DOING aspect of these gifts!). It is not the same as having a big family get-together.” It is a priceless gift for your son to spend quality, focused time DOING an activity together with an adult.
Your “gifters” may need some ideas about what your boy’s interests are and how an experience can be built. It can be as simple as building a model car together. Or the experience can be as elaborate as researching the city in which grandparent’s live and suggesting activities for the next visit. Sometimes the anticipation and planning phase of an experience can create as much bonding and excitement as the event itself. And remember, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, it is the TIME and CONNECTION that create the value of shared experiences and memories.
An added benefit of Buying an Experience – when mom and dad are out of the picture, the dynamic between the child and grandparent (or other gifter), flourishes in a new and different direction.
No grandparents? Look around for other adults who have the time and desire to be involved with your children. ASK THEM to give some time to your boy and SUGGEST ways in which your boy might enjoy being together.
So here’s to LESS STUFF (Did you know that on-average American children have 150 toys?! so says Kim John Payne of www.simplicityparenting.com) and MAKING MORE MEMORIES!
Have a grand holiday season!
By Janet Allison
