42 | Holiday 2021
Why Your Child Needs Less JENTRIE HALES
community advocate, @techhealthyfamily
Take a moment and think about your favorite holiday memory as a child. No seriously, do it. Who did it include? What were you doing? For me it includes my whole family gathered around the piano with my mom on the keys, taking turns picking and singing our favorite Christmas songs. For as long as I can remember this simple (and usually off key) tradition has been my favorite thing about the holiday. Even after all these years, the Christmas Eves spent with my family trump any gift I have opened the next day. For me, and many others, it’s the memories that matter the most. But I get it; life is so busy. There is so much on our plates as parents that we sometimes feel like we are drowning. It might feel easier to just online shop our love. The craziness of the holidays only adds to the high standard of what parents should buy for their kids. However, in researching this topic, I have
good news: The success of our kids has a lot less to do with how much money you spend on them and more to do with the quality of time you spend with them. Our kids just need us. The research all points to simplifying. For example, a research study at the University of Cincinnati shows that giving your child too many toys actually has negative effects on their wellbeing. This is what the research says: 1. Children and toddlers in particular learn better focus, explore, engage in more imaginative play with fewer toys. These are all qualities that benefit children in the long term. 2. Children who expect many and expensive gifts suffer negative social and emotional ramifications beyond childhood. As adults these children are more prone to credit card debt, gambling, and compulsive shopping.
Yo u r so u rc e fo r the t a s t ie s t g i f t s a nd cateri n g !
WE’VE GOT THE GIFTS! Share Goodness. We bake it fresh everyday! Gifts for any budget!
Stop by and visit us! 55 West Center Logan, Utah Call us 435-787-4442 / Online at www.greatharvestutah.com/logan
