The Preschooler

Excitement Grows on You

My kids, like most others this time of year, have been excited about the upcoming holiday for quite some time.  The closer we get to Christmas, the more excited they become.  And yes, I have seen a change in their behavior as well.  They are getting more and more wound up.  In fact, I fear my three-year-old may actually turn into a tangled ball of yarn if Christmas doesn’t arrive soon.

Although I don’t always enjoy this wild and some times out of control behavior, it does remind me of the excitement I felt during my own childhood years.  The anticipation of that big day was almost too much to bear.  How could you think about your behavior and doing what was right when you would soon be inundated with new toys and gadgets?

I try to remember those days of overwhelming excitement when I see my own two little boys bouncing off the walls…literally.  I do my best to stay calm and remind them of our rules that are in place the rest of the year.  I have never been fond of telling kids that, “Santa is watching” because, although I enjoy the fact that my little guys do believe in Jolly Old St. Nicholas, I prefer to keep their image of him as a gift giver rather than a disciplinarian. 

Although some days it is harder than others to remember that the abundance of excitement is often the trigger for behavior they know is not acceptable, I do my best to go back to the days when I also had trouble controlling the joy.  More often than not, their excitement is contagious, and I am more than happy to let it grow on me.

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Written by Laura on December 17, 2010