2 different topics... OT on both

First off, my son was up all night last night going from his grandparents bed to mine not sleeping a wink and crying. He is 5 years old. He was whining and whimpering. I asked him was was wrong and he said his foot. He showed me it was around his shin ankle area. About 4:45am I asked if he wanted to go watch some tv, in hopes to get his mind off of it and we did. He said it hurt on the inside. I rubbed it and he was okay with it, so I don't know. Are "growing pains" for real? I always thought it was a myth of sorts. If not, do they hurt that bad to keep him up? He didn't complain about them again and off to school he went. Any ideas?

Secondly, Christmas is upon us and I have a question for the mothers who have more than one child. My son is 5 and my daughter is 1. How do you do Christmas gifts? Do you buy the same number of gifts for each one? Or spend the same amount on each one? I'm afraid that my son will say that Kayleigh got more presents then him, etc. I don't want to have to deal with that. But, he is "older" and he is getting the more expensive gifts too. And, do each of your kids by the other kid a present? Meaning my son buy my daughter a gift and vice versa? I'm not toooo worried about it this year, but next year it will be a biggie because my daughter will be older and have a voice so to speak... lol.


Karine

I remember having growing pains and my son had them when he was growing a few years ago. 

As for presents, I try to keep the presents about the same number.  But the older kids are getting a few more expensive presents so I already informed them that my youngest will have more under the tree this year.  But they are 13 and 11 almost so they are a bit more understanding than a 5 year old would be.   Last year the 2 oldest found out about Santa, so the pressure is off.  But my soon to be 3 year old of course still believes.  This is our last year of too many presents under the tree though.  Next year I am adopting the motto of: 
1. buy them something they want,
2. buy them something they need,
3. buy them something to wear and
4. something to read. 

That is 4 presents for each and I won't be breaking the bank either.  Especially with 4 kids to buy for next year. 

Bambi

I'm loving your motto!! I may have to adopt that idea next year too. Being a single mother buying for 2 kids has broke me!  lol

I think I read that motto in a Rachal Ray magazine...I know I read it somewhere and I thought, that is really smart.  Not only is it better for your pocket book, but it also teaches the children that Xmas isn't just all about how many presents they can get. 

I had already bought most of the presents for the kids before I read this so that's why I am starting it next year.  But I thought it was a great idea! 

Kuddos to you on being a single mom.  I know it's very hard.   I lost my husband 2 years ago a week before Xmas and our daughter turning 1.  Talk about a rough time for the kids and I. 

I was blessed to have ran into a guy I graduated high school with and we ended up dating and getting married Jan. 3rd of 2009.  And now we are expecting our first together. 

Bambi

Issue #1
I think you should keep an eye out for the pain. Maybe your son woke up and his foot was asleep or something and he confuses that feeling with pain? I have no idea but keep an eye out. I hope he is feeling better.

Issue #2
I only have one kid and he is 11. (one on the way). I do have an older sister  who is 3 years older then me. My mom and dad always made sure we had the equal amount of presents when we were younger. We of course never knew that or even counted. We probably could have cared less but my mom was really good about that and made sure it was even. We only got a few gifts anyway though and our presents were the least of our concerns.

Now is the age and time to "carve" and create what Christmas will be like for your kids. Growing up THanksgiving was more of a big deal and still is in my family. We were always taught that Christmas wasn't all about the gifts and more the togetherness with family. My 11 year old son knows that he will get a few gifts but we don't go overboard and he knows that Thanksgiving is a bigger deal then the present part of Christmas. I made sure at a young age not to set that tone with him and he enjoys Christmas just as much as everyone else who go overboard with gifts.

 

Hi Jaime! Thank you for your thoughts. I love the togetherness too and I hope to instill that into my kids as well when they get alittle older to understand about the togetherness of family and having fun doing it. With that being said, I have 4 nieces and nephews that have parents that ALWAYS go out and beyond to make them happy with the expensive gifts, etc. Last year, they got 4-wheelers (not battery operated) and electric scooters - 2 of each I might add. I wonder how that will be out done this year. That remains to be scene, but they are all about the name brand stuff and the most expensive toys. I like the meaning behind the holidays, not just the gift giving.

Thank you for putting things into perspective. I look forward to teaching my kids the true meaning of family when they are old enough to understand!

Merry Christmas girlie! I hope you have a wonderful time with your family......


Karine

Thanks Karine! I know some people really go overboard. My ex in laws do and they go into debt all year because of it. Not good!

Have a great holiday!

Hugs,
J

Maybe he has Restless Leg Syndrom?! That's what I've had for years. When I was little like that my mom would tell me it was just growing pains but now we know it wasn't. It was soooo hard to sleep sometimes and I would get so frustrated and cry and hit my legs because it wouldn't stop! If he can get up and walk and not limp or anything like that than it could be restless legs. Ask him what it feels like. Restless legs feels like you just can't keep your legs still or they will twitch. It's a really weird feeling! I hope you get to the bottom of it! As for Xmas I would buy the same # of gifts rather than spend the same amount. Kids don't care about the $ side of it. Save yourself a few dollars since your daughter is younger and not spend quite as much on her. She will never know! lol!

-Ashlie

Hmmm... I did not think about the restless leg symdrome. My Dad has that, so hmmm now you really have me wondering. He was very restless last night... tossing and turning and couldn't get comfortable. He walked out to the living room and I turned on the cartoons for him. He just laid on the couch with a blanket and jus****ched it like nothing was wrong.

As for the Christmas, she definitely won't know the difference. I admit I did buy some "cheaper" toys for her... lol. Next year, I will just have to buckle down and get the same amount of gifts. I'm not Ms. Money Bags... lol.  Thank you for your input!  :)

Karine

With the restless legs if I can get my mind off of it than it will go away for me. If I am on a long road trip and my legs start acting up I take over driving and then it usually goes away because I am focusing on something else. If I just lay in bed it will start to drive me nuts and never go away. They have some great meds out there for it now if he does have it. Good luck!