Maybe it's because in our profession we start discussing Christmas in earnest before the end of summer and our first Christmas party is the first Saturday of November or maybe my kids are obsessed with holidays or maybe my kids are just like yours, but whatever the reason, they start asking to put up Christmas decorations the moment their candy bags are filled from trunk-or-treat. They start making their mental/oral Christmas list before that. By November 2 all they can think about is receiving presents. How do we combat this? If you are not already doing so, this is a great time to start having devotions with your children. What follows would assume you are already taking time to teach your children about your faith. Here are three hacks for momming in November with little ones.

Thankful Pumpkin

Our evening at the pumpkin patch at a local church

When we head to the pumpkin patch (or grocery store) we always pick up one pumpkin that is not for carving. It sits on the porch in October, but on November 1, after I find the dining room table again, it gets washed up (I use vinegar to make sure we aren't bringing in mold) and becomes a centerpiece for our family meals. Every day, each person has to tell something they are thankful for and we write it on the pumpkin. No repeats allowed, but just about anything goes. Any guests at the table are also asked to add what they are thankful for. I just use a Sharpie. We do not manage to eat every dinner at the table so sometimes I'm writing what we talked about at bedtime on the pumpkin the next morning.

Thankful Pumpkin 2021 (so far)

Kindness Jar

This is something you make in November to use in December. You need a jar or cup and 25 small pieces of paper. When you have a few minutes every couple of days, brainstorm acts of kindness that can be done as a family, one per paper. Fold up each paper and place in the kindness jar. Then, beginning December 1, pull one paper every day and do what it says.

Thank you to our divisional headquarters for the idea and the jar.

Present Pics

I saw this hack on some mommy blog a few years ago. It has saved me from countless meltdowns in my favorite stores. We have all been there. You walk near the toy section or maybe even in the toy section for a friend's birthday or to choose a small prize. Your five year old sees a $50 robot and clings to it as if it is the last life boat on the Titanic. This will only end in tears for everyone either way. BUT what if it doesn't have to? Enter the present pic hack. Our conversation goes like this, " honey, that's more of a birthday or Christmas present toy. Let's take a picture of you with it so we can remember it for later"….or " let's send this picture to Aunt Rendy" or "Let's send it to Santa."

I could not believe how well this works! My child takes a cute picture and puts the toy back. No fighting, no tears, no tantrum. In fact, they are giddy. Now my children sometimes want to take a picture with half of the toy section, but you can always limit how many pictures you will take in one trip. It is so helpful to have the picture to remember later and to be able to send a picture to relatives who are not familiar with some of the toys my children love.

Shopping with my little Princes
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