Going shopping for Christmas gifts with a child can be an amazing adventure for parents and children alike, and Natalie Rush, Debbie Rhoden and Lesline Cyril are all too familiar with that experience. These moms recall stories of wit, laughter and sheer fun, and though a few embarrassing moments stand out, they can now sit and laugh at the silly things their children did, knowing well that lifetime lessons were learnt.
Rush the mother of 15 year old sons Tahheer and five year old J’Den said it is especially difficult to go shopping with her younger son now, a seemingly hereditary trait as the older one was just like that. Tahheer has always been a huge fan of electronic games, and once when he was younger, he wanted one of the latest games for his best friend’s birthday present. His mother however knew that his best friend’s mom only wanted educational toys for her son. So mommy went to the bookstore despite her grumbling son, who dragged his feet the entire journey, complaining that his friend would never want a book, and the game would be the perfect gift.
Still on the hook
But Rush did not change her mind, she bought the book, and had to take it to the party as Tahheer was too embarrassed to walk with it. In the end, she explained that even though he loves games, that does not mean his friend would prefer one over a book. As for J’Den, Rush commented that he wouldn’t mind buying everything in the toy stores. “I have to tell him that the next time we visit the store we will get a particular item, “she said. But that does not get Rush off the hook, as her little boy normally responds “Mommy, I can’t believe it, you’re so mean”. Luckily for Rush, J’Den has a tendency to forget what he saw within a few days.
Rhoden has no such luck with her five year old son Tyler who has a good memory and always gets excited at the sight of new toys. “He’s young and I have to teach him that it’s not everything that he wants he’ll get,” she said. Sometimes, when the duo goes shopping and Tyler insists he wants a toy or a particular product, Mommy uses a trick on him. “I just give him the money and the item I’m buying and let him pay for them. That keeps him occupied, I guess he feels like the big man in charge,” she added, laughing uncontrollably.
Recently, they were shopping for a gift for his school friend and Mommy agreed to buy it, but that’s not all, he insisted that he also wanted a similar gift, as well as one for his best friend. “I had to say ‘no baby, I cannot buy you that, but I will buy something for you because you have been a good boy and Mommy is proud of you, you studied hard and got good grades, so this is your reward.” In the end Rhoden ended up with all of three gifts, the birthday present and two less expensive ones.
Fortunately, her son did not put up a resistance, as he was happy to have received a new toy nonetheless. Rhoden too was happy. She said commented that the experience with Tyler has made her proud. “I am happy that even at this age he is learning to share, because most kids his age are only interested in things for themselves,” she added. My daughter Valentina is 17, so they are 12 years apart, and often have selfish ways towards each other, so it’s good to see that he has these nice attributes.”
Santa not real
And the excitement continues with this interesting tot, a lover of gifts and all things Christmas. At a recent tree lighting ceremony, he took a photo with Santa but did not get a present. Having associated Santa with free gifts, Tyler looked at Santa’s big sack and asked where his gift was. “He then shouted ‘Mommy, Santa is not real, he doesn’t have any gift in the bag!’” So Rhoden eventually had to purchase a gift before she could convince her little one to settle down.
Where Santa is concerned, Lesline Cyril has no need to worry about whether he will present gifts to her witty seven year old daughter Chadean, as she refuses to interact with ‘Father Christmas’. Recently, she saw some children taking photos with Santa and blurted out, “Mommy, I don’t think I want to take any picture with Santa enuh.” He mom asked why, and without hesitation she responded “Because Santa doesn’t really smell so nice!” Her mom had to take quick action, “Shhh, that’s not a nice thing to say,” Cyril recalled, “I had to pull her aside quickly”.
In the world of presents, Chadean also stands out. At five years old, she heard her grandmother complaining about needing a new Bible, and ever since, whenever the opportunity presents itself she asks, “Mommy, can we get another Bible for Grandma?” Her mom, laughed at the memory. “I have to constantly remind her that Grandma already has a new one so it’s best to get something else.” In the end, Chadean always agrees to buy a perfume, another gift that he grandmother adores.
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