Through the eyes of a child: Gift Giving

I love to give gifts. I love the happiness that is put in a person's life when they open a present to find something that they have wanted, needed or asked for. I love seeing the smiles that come from opening gifts. It's a joyous occasion to see.

I am trying to teach my children the joy of giving gifts. They don't get it.

My children help me purchase the gifts for our family and friends. They throw temper tantrums of the nuclear proportion when they don't also get to purchase a "gift" for themselves - just ask my pastor's daughter who was witness to one (joy for me! ...sarcasm).

My children help wrap the gifts. They then help open them whether asked for assistance or not.

My children get excited about picking out their own gifts to give to someone else, then ask to "protect" that gift for the gift receiver...as if I don't really get that they just want to have the gift back for themselves. This is evidenced by Baby Owl and Pete the Penguin who are currently being "babysat"by my daughter (Baby Owl was given to Daddy; Pete the Penguin to our next door neighbor).

Through the eyes of a child, gift giving is difficult to comprehend. It's this way for a lot of adults, too. But, over time, they begin to get it - little by little. I'm unsure if this will help Daddy get Baby Owl back, but it's a start.

As a side note, I'm not sure Daddy would have dressed Baby Owl in a pink floral nightgown...

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