Aren't children at Christmas just about the most wondrous thing?
Yes. And No.
This sweet little cherub in the box
may look innocent and full of Christmas cheer-- but rest assured that this expression was in response to my telling him NOT to get in the box full of fragile decorations for the 5th time. I was torn as to whether or not to take pictures of the child while he was directly disobeying, but therein lies the dilemma of child-rearing. They can be so naughty and so nice at the same time! In retrospect i'm glad i snapped the photo before sending him to time-out for the ?th time that evening. ... that beautiful evening that was supposed to be magical-- setting up our tree, and decorating it together by the fire as a family. ... our first Christmas together at home as a family of four. All those time-outs made it not so magical in the moment. but now that i'm looking back on the pictures a few weeks later, i'm realizing that those moments don't have to define the overall experience. The wonder in a child's heart is just going to be coinciding with the folly that is all bound up there too. Sometimes he just can't help himself. He was excited. Can you blame him? It's Christmas! And loving him (even enjoying his cuteness) while dealing with that folly can be the secret to preserving the magic.
Yes. And No.
This sweet little cherub in the box
may look innocent and full of Christmas cheer-- but rest assured that this expression was in response to my telling him NOT to get in the box full of fragile decorations for the 5th time. I was torn as to whether or not to take pictures of the child while he was directly disobeying, but therein lies the dilemma of child-rearing. They can be so naughty and so nice at the same time! In retrospect i'm glad i snapped the photo before sending him to time-out for the ?th time that evening. ... that beautiful evening that was supposed to be magical-- setting up our tree, and decorating it together by the fire as a family. ... our first Christmas together at home as a family of four. All those time-outs made it not so magical in the moment. but now that i'm looking back on the pictures a few weeks later, i'm realizing that those moments don't have to define the overall experience. The wonder in a child's heart is just going to be coinciding with the folly that is all bound up there too. Sometimes he just can't help himself. He was excited. Can you blame him? It's Christmas! And loving him (even enjoying his cuteness) while dealing with that folly can be the secret to preserving the magic.
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