tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post2240529821459178550..comments2024-03-27T03:18:45.483-04:00Comments on Mommy on the Spot: Christmas Traditions: A Letter to my Kids Erin Janda Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05229345691660629985noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-70006406025805388332013-12-23T10:02:50.277-05:002013-12-23T10:02:50.277-05:00I really enjoyed reading about the traditions you ...I really enjoyed reading about the traditions you are making with your kids. You transported me back to my childhood. Every Christmas Eve my dad would drive us to visit Grandma. While we were gone, Santa would visit my house and drop off our presents. It was sooo exciting!! Trying to cram so any activities into the holidays can sometimes cause so much stress that we miss out on the importance of enjoying the little things. Your kids will treasure these memories forever. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane and have a Merry Christmas!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-6000619070509623302013-12-23T09:30:05.031-05:002013-12-23T09:30:05.031-05:00Anonymous, I have thought a lot about what you sai...Anonymous, I have thought a lot about what you said about my childhood Christmases not being happy. That is not true; they were happy. But since it has become too hard to juggle all of Christmas Eve/Christmas Day events, we have chosen to focus on our parents and making sure the kids have time with their cousins.<br /><br />I feel sad that we can't make everything, and I feel sad that some traditions become so rigid that they do not allow any flexibility for the participants' evolving lives. By not attending something, that does not mean we don't love the people we aren't seeing. It just means that we realize we can't do it all and still be happy at the same time.<br /><br />I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your kids.<br /><br />Erin Janda Rawlingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05229345691660629985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-8776673248181709612013-12-20T20:38:46.428-05:002013-12-20T20:38:46.428-05:00Thanks, Ashleigh! We are going to have a blast! ...Thanks, Ashleigh! We are going to have a blast! My gift for the exchange is awe.some.Erin Janda Rawlingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05229345691660629985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-75664762772736045022013-12-20T20:00:06.448-05:002013-12-20T20:00:06.448-05:00Actually, I've spent the past 30 years sharing...Actually, I've spent the past 30 years sharing the holidays with Erin and her family. We have great times every year, and I'm really excited to do it again next week! Ashleighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-92147650707531841242013-12-20T19:02:45.688-05:002013-12-20T19:02:45.688-05:00I am reading something entirely different in what ...I am reading something entirely different in what your saying. This isn't a letter to your kids, it's something much deeper. I don't feel the need to identify myself and you don't know who I am. There are no "clues" this is just a conversation! Sorry, it sounds like your holidays weren't very happy ones. I will pray for you and your family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-61044149509527376762013-12-19T21:26:43.499-05:002013-12-19T21:26:43.499-05:00Actually, Anonymous, sometimes my parents and my m...Actually, Anonymous, sometimes my parents and my mom's side of the family come over my house, and sometimes it is at another house. I wouldn't say we chill, but I would say we have a very pleasant time together.<br /><br />Sounds like your traditions worked really well for you and your family. There are a lot of dynamics in ours that make it challenging to make all of the social events.<br />Erin Janda Rawlingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05229345691660629985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-20914564932482893122013-12-19T21:23:19.595-05:002013-12-19T21:23:19.595-05:00It is sad when things change, but you are so right...It is sad when things change, but you are so right about Christmas being about love.Erin Janda Rawlingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05229345691660629985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-77607227621120598612013-12-19T20:19:32.093-05:002013-12-19T20:19:32.093-05:00Don't you chill out at your parents house?? O...Don't you chill out at your parents house?? One day your parents will be to old to host Christmas Day and then you should have them at your house. My Mom was always with us when she got older. It's more than tradition, it's family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-71252715293916137952013-12-19T18:55:21.884-05:002013-12-19T18:55:21.884-05:00Your viewpoint is refreshing. Ashleigh and I were ...Your viewpoint is refreshing. Ashleigh and I were just discussing how our family traditions have evolved and adapted over the years. This is the last year she will be home for Christmas for the foreseeable future and that's ok, we'll deal and adapt because we love each other and Christmas is about love.<br /><br />Aunt DianeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-25731070586568395802013-12-19T18:39:42.856-05:002013-12-19T18:39:42.856-05:00I love watching my kids play with their cousins on...I love watching my kids play with their cousins on Christmas Eve, too! It reminds me of when I was a kid. How nice that you are able to chill out on Christmas Day! We usually see my parents.Erin Janda Rawlingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05229345691660629985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478024514640293628.post-16687511188776020872013-12-19T18:17:47.874-05:002013-12-19T18:17:47.874-05:00Erin, my very favorite memories of Christmas is sp...Erin, my very favorite memories of Christmas is spending it with my Aunts and Uncles and cousins! We still take turns hosting Christmas Eve. I would miss seeing everyone, especially since we are all getting older. My kids have wonderful memories of all their cousins being together, playing games, opening gifts, eating junk! It didn't matter if they were tired on Christmas Day, that is when we stayed home and laid around and they played with all their new toys. Something is missing here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com