We went to drop off a birthday gift to dh's aunt today. While we were there she asked Daniel who's birthday was coming up. He had a blank look after that question. I asked him who's birthday we celebrate during Christmas in December, and he said "Santa?"!!! We don't even 'do' Santa! Grrrrr!!! Then he starts guessing. I asked him who loved him the most, he said mommy. I asked who loved him more than mommy, he was stumped. Finally he pointed to her ferret and said "is it him?" :cry: I'm feeling like I failed. Last Christmas he was telling everyone about Jesus' birthday, singing happy birthday to him, and so on. It really floored me that he didn't know, I guess somehow since we've started getting ready this year we left out the most important part. He has most certaintly been raised having Jesus be a part of his life. It just floors me that the world can get through that enough to make him think of Santa for Christmas. Done ranting, and nope, I don't feel a bit better.
He may have just felt strange on the spot or something. Sami (WHo is always telling others about Jesus and REally does know Christmas is about Jesus) answered a similar question with "It's about presants!" :shock::roll: Sometimes I think kids just say whatever pops into their heads rather than what they know is the truth.
Your son hasn't forgot at all. He just was on the spot. I think kid's get nervous like we do at times. Sometimes I (yes, really me) am at a lack of words when suddenly asked a question. Lorna
I agree with the other ladies I don't think he forgot, I think he was put on the spot, like we all are once or twice in our life, and we say whatever pops in our head then when we get home and think about it we say why did we say that.
I have to be honest...I sometimes get so caught up in the fun of shopping and decorating that even I forget to stop and remember wht Christmas is really about. I know, it is horrible. So for a child, it seems it would be even easier to put that in the back of their minds. But don't worry, we have every single year to reinforce the true meaning and it is only Dec. 3rd....you have alot of time left to remind him of it. I say if we start now...we can really make it a special birthday for Jesus!!
I bet he just forgot for the moment, after all it is early in the season. For a kid thats a year away! They think its forever until Christmas. I would not feel down about it, just take out your Bible tomorrow and share the story, maybe do a puppet skit with Daniel about it too to give him a good memory of the story? Okay< I shoudl tell you that we have bazar puppets here.. sometimes they are turtles, sometimes they are Batman or Spiderman playing the three wisemen, or shepherds... so don't be picky about what you use.
You all are right, it was just a quick answer when he was put on the spot. I am using it to make sure I make Jesus a much bigger part of this season though. And TeacherMom, I love the puppet show idea! My mom got a new refrigerator, and a couple weeks ago I asked her for the box so that we could make a puppet theatre, and that is a perfect idea of what our first show will be! I'm sure we can come up with some cute invitations to hand out, now I can't wait to actually get my hands on the box!
He is small and there is so much fun Christ related things you could do. Do some research online for more ideas.
You would be amazed the things kids do when they feel put on the spot. I have found myself wondering what alien just inhabited my kids several times. Talk to him again about Christmas, I am sure he still remembers. However, these are talks that need to happen every year. I don't remember your son's age but even my 8 year old has said things that I am dumbfounded by. lol. Don't worry, you did not fail. With a mom teaching him the real reason for Christmas, he is a very blessed boy. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that one incident will determine the course of the next 20 years. lol. (I know you didn't think that, just an exaggeration.) I know I have been guilty of thinking that! LOL.
don't be too hard on yourself, DanielsMom... it's just normal for young children to act that way..he hasn't forgot about Christmas, but perhaps he has just changed his "view" of the occasion..children of his age are really observant and discusses many other things with other children that he may have mixed views now... don't think of yourself as a failure, rather educate him of the true meaning of Christmas and keep him right on track..
may I interject something odd that my 9 yo. dd said this weekend (sorry it has nothing to do with Jesus) but I found it odd: She proudly reminded all the kids not to eat the brand new ponsetia plant, because they are poisonus. HMMM, I'm glad she knows that I guess, but I havn't had to tell them that for a few years....... I don't think they eat the plants anymore.
I agree with everyone else that your son probably was just put on the spot. I know with my children we can talk about things but the minute I want them to tell their dad about it when he gets home, they look at me like they have no idea what I'm talking about. But I also think sometimes (and I don't mean this in anyway to be offensive) we need a reminder to make sure that our voices are louder than the worlds. A couple of years ago me and my husband made the decision not to do the whole "5 million presents" thing for Christmas because we thought that it took the focus off of Christ. We get them at the most 3 things and last year I got them 1 present each. It is a struggle because I have been raised to get all the presents for Christmas, but my kids are young so it doesn't bother them at all. We tell tem that this is a celebration of Jesus' birthday and we go all out on their birthday. I also don't like the pressure that is put on people where they feel like failures as parents if they aren't able to buy their children presents. Anyway, this is not meant to look down on anyone else for the way they choose to celebrate. Just my little rant. Shara
I agree too with what the other ladies have said. Don't be so hard on yourself. Tanner probably would have said the same thing unless I was really blunt about it and point blank said "what special baby was born in Bethlehem on Christmas?". Even then, he may have said Moses!!! Like Leslie said too, even I myself get caught up in the whole season and have to remind myself what we are really here for. Stemming from what Amy said...Tanner is the same way too where I will tell him something important, he will act like he doesn't remember or care if I ask him about it later, then all of a sudden months down the road he will talk about what we said. UGH! His long term memory is great. Now if we could just work on that short term memory! LOL!
