By Morgan King

Published: November 20, 2008

What Your Children Really What This Holiday Season

Chances are your children have a long list of gifts they’d like to receive during the holidays. Are you frustrated because they don’t seem to understand the spirit of the season? Maybe they just need some coaching. According to Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli1 [in their book *Unplug the Christmas Machine*, pp. 55-64], children really want four things during the holiday season.

1. Relaxed and loving time with the family.
2. Realistic expectations about gifts.

3. An evenly paced holiday season.

4. Strong family traditions.

Laurie Clements, M.Ed.

Manager, HospiTOTS

1719 W. Market Street

Johnson City TN 37604-6094

(423) 431-6971 Phone

(423) 431-4944 Fax