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 Can You Hear Me Now?
  
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | So my family has never been super big on Christmas and I hate all the media of buy buy buy... Dad and I always had a quiet one and exchanged 1 gift each; Mom and my brother weren't around so we just always called to wish them Happy Hollidays, etc and sometimes she would send up money so I could get something I wanted, dad and I did the same for Jason and mom. After dad passed I've spent the last few alone since I can't leave the animals and have chores so I just worked and kept busy.
My delema is this year I have my Hubby and his two kids living with me (8 and 9) so it's put me a bit more in the Xmas spirit- Decorating and baking (Im going to get fat) , but I still can't get into the idea of buying a bunch of things. I understand kids like gifts and well the little girl has shown some interest in helping around the farm; wants to start riding, loves her chickens, etc and crafts I have ideas on what to get her. I dont want to buy anything the little boy wants... He wants a tablet, some legos, a nerf gun (which I know will be used to make his sister cry) etc but I want him to get stuff that makes him a bit more active and outside... He will literally spend his entire weekend infront of his xbox, the TV, the computer or on his Nintendo DS and not step foot outdoors and I get annoyed (his dad and I have discussed it and I still dont feel right telling him how to parent). He does love hockey and we put him in it; and bought him a net and sticks which he uses once and a while but not as much as I thought he would (practice and games get him out for an hour 3 times a week at least). What would you do?? I know they get a lot of what they want from their dad and he was like well maybe we should get him a tablet, because he was always a single parent and tried to make up for it. He is a great dad and everything we do he involves the kids which I love too... But I don't want to give the boy that type of stuff for xmas...
Ideas on creative gifts for him would be much appreciated  I am so new to this! |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
 
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | Try to think of gifts that will help you build strong relationships with both of the children. It sounds like you have already opened that door somewhat with the girl since she is showing interest in horses. Maybe you can give the boy some type of camping out item plus a certificate for a camp out -- even if only in your backyard. Roast weenies. Make smores. Lay on your backs and look at and discuss the stars and the universe. Are there museums in easy driving distance? I am a stepmom -- and became one when my boys were ages 5 and 7. They are now in mid to late 40s!!! Love them both so much -- and I can tell you the things they talk about are the TIME we spent with them making memories -- playing in the mud on a sand bar.... canoeing, kayaking, swimming... camping, fishing, etc. NOT the gifts. TIME with you and your husband is the most wonderful and precious and memorable gift you can give. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Get him and his dad new fishing poles so they can fish together.man,my two year old grandson is a fishing fool!!!lol.i would also talk to Dad and see about limiting screen time.maybe get him a smaller 4wheeler.do they hunt????
Edited by jake16 2017-11-13 7:14 PM
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Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | jake16 - 2017-11-13 7:12 PM
Get him and his dad new fishing poles so they can fish together.man,my two year old grandson is a fishing fool!!!lol.i would also talk to Dad and see about limiting screen time.maybe get him a smaller 4wheeler.do they hunt????
We have so much fishing/hunting stuff it's insane lol... both our families consisted of hunters/fishermen. We did think of a smaller 4 wheeler as an option or snow machine.
I actually clicked with him better at the beginning, he opened up to me and wanted me to start doing things with them all the time well Brielle was more standoffish and it took me a long time to have her show any interest in opening up around me. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| ndiehl - 2017-11-13 9:00 PM
jake16 - 2017-11-13 7:12 PM
Get him and his dad new fishing poles so they can fish together.man,my two year old grandson is a fishing fool!!!lol.i would also talk to Dad and see about limiting screen time.maybe get him a smaller 4wheeler.do they hunt????
We have so much fishing/hunting stuff it's insane lol... both our families consisted of hunters/fishermen. We did think of a smaller 4 wheeler as an option or snow machine.
I actually clicked with him better at the beginning, he opened up to me and wanted me to start doing things with them all the time well Brielle was more standoffish and it took me a long time to have her show any interest in opening up around me.
I think one of those two would be a great idea! Is he interested in animals at all? Maybe his own lamb, goat, calf to take care of. Are livestock shows a big thing in your area? We showed heifers with our kids and I know that is why my daughter has such a good relationship with her dad. It really kept them connected through the terrible teenage years. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | GLP - 2017-11-14 9:35 AM ndiehl - 2017-11-13 9:00 PM jake16 - 2017-11-13 7:12 PM Get him and his dad new fishing poles so they can fish together.man,my two year old grandson is a fishing fool!!!lol.i would also talk to Dad and see about limiting screen time.maybe get him a smaller 4wheeler.do they hunt???? We have so much fishing/hunting stuff it's insane lol... both our families consisted of hunters/fishermen. We did think of a smaller 4 wheeler as an option or snow machine. I actually clicked with him better at the beginning, he opened up to me and wanted me to start doing things with them all the time well Brielle was more standoffish and it took me a long time to have her show any interest in opening up around me. I think one of those two would be a great idea! Is he interested in animals at all? Maybe his own lamb, goat, calf to take care of. Are livestock shows a big thing in your area? We showed heifers with our kids and I know that is why my daughter has such a good relationship with her dad. It really kept them connected through the terrible teenage years.
I was just going to suggest something like this! raising an animal together is a great way to bond/teach him things. Plus its something he will HAVE to take care of everyday, and will get him out of the house and hopefully open up his interest some more. Maybe raising a beef cow will get him interested in other animals once he sees other kids doing it. Have you thought about 4H if they arent already? I know thats not a gift but the animals would be. |
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Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-11-14 9:39 AM
GLP - 2017-11-14 9:35 AM ndiehl - 2017-11-13 9:00 PM jake16 - 2017-11-13 7:12 PM Get him and his dad new fishing poles so they can fish together.man,my two year old grandson is a fishing fool!!!lol.i would also talk to Dad and see about limiting screen time.maybe get him a smaller 4wheeler.do they hunt???? We have so much fishing/hunting stuff it's insane lol... both our families consisted of hunters/fishermen. We did think of a smaller 4 wheeler as an option or snow machine. I actually clicked with him better at the beginning, he opened up to me and wanted me to start doing things with them all the time well Brielle was more standoffish and it took me a long time to have her show any interest in opening up around me. I think one of those two would be a great idea! Is he interested in animals at all? Maybe his own lamb, goat, calf to take care of. Are livestock shows a big thing in your area? We showed heifers with our kids and I know that is why my daughter has such a good relationship with her dad. It really kept them connected through the terrible teenage years.
Unfortunately there is no 4h in our area :( we struggle to keep the local fair going with a lot of farmers and business people like myself donating just so they can have it and keep it around for the kids.
Goats and sheep are next on our list of animals to acquire. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| ndiehl - 2017-11-14 11:46 AM
Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-11-14 9:39 AM
GLP - 2017-11-14 9:35 AM ndiehl - 2017-11-13 9:00 PM jake16 - 2017-11-13 7:12 PM Get him and his dad new fishing poles so they can fish together.man,my two year old grandson is a fishing fool!!!lol.i would also talk to Dad and see about limiting screen time.maybe get him a smaller 4wheeler.do they hunt???? We have so much fishing/hunting stuff it's insane lol... both our families consisted of hunters/fishermen. We did think of a smaller 4 wheeler as an option or snow machine. I actually clicked with him better at the beginning, he opened up to me and wanted me to start doing things with them all the time well Brielle was more standoffish and it took me a long time to have her show any interest in opening up around me. I think one of those two would be a great idea! Is he interested in animals at all? Maybe his own lamb, goat, calf to take care of. Are livestock shows a big thing in your area? We showed heifers with our kids and I know that is why my daughter has such a good relationship with her dad. It really kept them connected through the terrible teenage years.
Unfortunately there is no 4h in our area : ( we struggle to keep the local fair going with a lot of farmers and business people like myself donating just so they can have it and keep it around for the kids.
Goats and sheep are next on our list of animals to acquire.
Goats are awesome! We didn't raise them, but some friends did who showed cattle, too. Their dad never got into the cattle, but he became a goat breeder and had all the goats spoiled! He loved them and he was a gruff, salty old ex- sheriff at the time. When he was battling cancer, those goats gave him a lot of laughs and joy. |
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OT: Christmas Ideas