What are the "must have" Christmas gifts this year?

What are the "must have" Christmas gifts in your house? Every year, there is usually one gift that many parents go all out in finding their kids. I remember years ago, it was Elmo and then another year, it was Furby (I remember I looked online and in all the area stores the month before Christmas for those things for my stepkids trying to find them in stock).

My kids have various things on their lists this year. Some of them want guitars and cell phones. My son wants a Wii (he's dreaming). My stepson wants a guitar amp. My stepdaughter just has CD's and DVD's on her list that she gave us but my husband is supposed to talk to somebody at work about a used saxophone he had up for sale awhile back. She mentioned awhile ago that she wanted one (she plays clarinet now and can easily switch over). I'm hoping this guy has one in great shape for sale. That'd be perfect.

I have no idea what to get my four-year-old yet. She'll be easy enough I think - any toy commercial that comes on is a toy she wants.

Read more...

Video Game Household Rules

My son is a huge video game fanatic. He loves everything "video" but I think kids spend too much time in front of a television or video game system and not enough time in their own imagination (like they could with these toys from Mighty World Toys).

We have video game rules in place in our home (that my stepson didn't agree with and the ex thought we were "too strict" for having). We were just so mean to expect our children to follow rules!

For one, there are no video games during the school week, only on the weekend. They can do homework, read, or play outside.

Another rule is that if you break the household rules, you lose your video game system. I have no qualms about taking the systems and all the games that go with it and putting them in a closet somewhere until the punishment is over. I've done it before. Such a mean stepmom and mom I am eh?

Finally, we only allow certain rated video games be played. There is nothing teen or mature rated in our home at this time. I don't believe the cleavage, shooting, and blood is appropriate at my children's ages. Despite this, it didn't stop the ex from allowing my stepson to bring his inappropriate games to our home during visitation way before he was a teen (you can imagine the problems it caused).

Here are some other rules from Parenting.org. They give some guidelines on things to consider for children.

Read more...

Playstation 3

How many lucky kids ("kids" includes children and most male men) found a playstation 3 under the Christmas tree this year? We have a PS2 that is on its last leg right now...the kids wore it down. Two of my children each received a PSP from us this year and they love them.

The Playstation electronics are well liked in our family. The rules for use aren't (can't use during the school week, use only on weekends after chores are done and only if homework is done, yada yada yada) but that's the way it goes. Kids don't have to like them; they just have to follow them.

If you are considering a new video game system, check out the PS3.

Read more...