When I was a kid, my parents dragged me to every place on Chistmas. I think divorced parents try to tell the kids that it’s twice the presents and love. I never experienced it that way. It was always open your presents, but don’t take your coat off because we can’t stay we have to hit the next house. We woke up, opened presents, got dressed, went to grandma’s, went to dad’s, went to other grandma’s, went to mom’s new husbands parents and then home. I never even got a chance to breath.

Then, I had my own kids and I got very protective of our Christmas’. We stay home. Sure, we take off to pick up my husband’s mom, but the kids stay in their p.j.’s and play and eat all day. Family is welcome to come to my house, but they know not to even ask us to come to theirs. Selfish? Abosolutely!!!! I dreamt of these Chistmas’ my whole life. My focus has shifted as a married adult with two small kids…I make Christmas what it is supposed to be celebrated for. The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Gifts are great, and of course we go overboard like everyone else, but Chistmas is wonderful.

Please don’t misunderstand. I think some people aren’t made to stay married. My thought is that maybe if you are divorced, be sensitive to your kids more. Don’t drag them all over the place. A child understands more than you think. They just want to play with their toys and spend time with family and have some great snacks.