Teacher's Note to Parents about Xmas is a Reminder We Need

It’s so easy to get carried away with the Christmas spirit and to go a bit overboard. I’m the first to admit that during Christmas I attempt to turn into SantaMum on Steriods, with crafts, cookies and activities to keep everyone entertained throughout December.

I bring out the to-do lists, the gift checklist, the special wrapping paper, the works. My bank account slowly dwindles as I attempt to give my kids the perfect day filled with plenty of presents.

It’s easy to forget that, while every child loves presents, this isn’t what they will remember and it’s not what really matters to them.

Just ask their teachers next year.

This teacher’s note is an important reminder

An anonymous teacher has shared a letter she wrote to the parents, outlining what her students tell her about Xmas when they start their first day of school after the holidays.

Below is the letter:

I know at this time of year there is pressure to create a perfect magical Christmas.
I know that you want to give them the magic of Santa and ensure he brings the best gifts and sometimes that means a bit of stress, but I’m writing to tell you a secret.
I’m writing to tell you that every January when your child comes back to school they tell me all about the Christmas holidays.
They tell me about the days when everyone stayed indoors and watched TV.
They tell me about the walk in the freezing cold to get a McDonald’s.
They tell me about staying at Grandma’s and then being excited when you came back from work.
They tell me about how you let them snuggle in your bed.
They tell me how you played cards and took them swimming one day and forgot their towel.
They tell me about a visit to a friends on New Year’s Eve and how they stayed up to midnight.
They tell me how they loved staying in their PJ’s some days and a trip out another day.
They mention their gifts, but for them Christmas is you and your love and your time and routines and feeling safe.
You are their favourite thing! Merry Christmas.”

teacher's note about Christmas — Source: Facebook

What a great reminder for us all!

When it comes to Christmas time it’s so easy to spoil our children with presents and treats but what they really want, as the note describes, is us and our time. Time to have fun, time to make memories and time spent together.

Truth be told, I can only remember a handful of gifts I received over the years. I can’t recall what the wrapping paper looked like or whether my brother received the same number of gifts as I did. What I do remember is the smell of chocolate fudge, the funny Santa chef hat my Dad would wear, the hockey games we’d play on Christmas Eve with the cousins.

When my kids are older, I’m hoping they have some of the same memories. Of backyard Bocce and crumbed shrimp that we only ever eat Christmas Day. Of matching pyjamas and reindeer pancakes and Michael Buble. Of feeling warm and safe and wrapped in love. And perhaps they could also remember the Christmas that Santa gave them iPhones… cause those phones were expensive!

Merry Christmas to all our readers! We hope your day is filled with love, laughter and loudness. Don’t forget to take a step back and take it all in.