We have been working on using the spoon with K.C. His OT is trying , trying very hard to get him to use the spoon and we are doing the same at home. He has a hard time using the spoon, gripping, scooping and trying to bring the food to his mouth has been a real challenge for K.C. He appears to be a lefty on some days and a righty on others. Big Brother can use either hand just like his Daddy and I am not sure just yet if K.C. is the same way. He really get's frustrated with the spoon but he's trying very hard. He likes to eat dry crunchy food.
Big Brother has been invited to a Christmas Party! His school teacher invited him to a Christmas Eve party at her home with her family. We are a Jewish family I reminded Big Brother again, but he really, really, wants to go so I agreed. He's very excited and asked me if we could go to the library to check books out on Christmas. His exact words were, "I don't want to go a Christmas party and know nothing about Christmas, I don't have much time to learn, we have to hurry!" It was very hard for me to come to this decision about Christmas. His teacher agreed it would be just fun. She has two sons and a daughter:) So I really need some ideas about Christmas. Food, traditions, what he should wear, anything you guys can tell me about Christmas please pass it on. Thanks!
6 comments:
I love that you are open to embracing another holiday tradition from another faith. My former boss was Jewish and invited his staff to his house for Purim, his wife made wonderful triangular cookies that were so tasty. Everything she made was wonderful.
You might point out to your son that there might be some mistletoe hanging from a doorway, and if you are caught below it, you can ask for or give a kiss.
People exchange gifts at parties sometimes, you might want to ask if there would be a gift exchange, what the amount to spend is and whether or not the gift will be for a boy or a girl. Some people have a gag gift exchange where you are specifically supposed to bring something witty.
Twice I have been to parties and didn't know there would be an exchange and was embarrassed because I came empty-handed.
Oh good luck with the spoon. I hope it gets easier for him.
Christmas Eve usually involves a feast, some singing, may or may not include a visit to the church (I'm thinking not in this case) and includes the exchange of presents. I'd send big bro at least with something for each of the kids (doesn't have to be big) that is wrapped up in Christmas paper and I would send a tray of cookies or a bottle of nice wine for the parents.
Dress should be dressy casual... like you'd dress him up to go to an adult family member's birthday party.
You might want to pick him up a CD of christmas songs from the library.
Good luck!
Hugs
Julie
OH you might also want to explain about the nativity scene/creche so he doesn't think it's a toy and accidentally play with it.
Hugs
Julie
Hi T!
No special dress is required, just something comfy to have fun in. Sadly, these days, Christmas itself is getting to be more about how many parties we can have and how many families we can visit in one day than it is about the religious aspect.
I am totally not in with all of the political correctness because I think it's been carried to an extreme. However, the one good thing that I think has come out of it is that our children, if not we their parents, are being exposed to more and more cultures, learning that there are "other things" out there, and learning to appreciate and respect them.
I don't find anything out of the ordinary about a Jewish child attending a Christmas party or a Catholic child spinning a dreidel (Sp?). I also find that when the children are able to participate in the traditions that they are able to embrace the "differences" much better. The Catholic child participating in the lighting of the menorah, the Jewish Child watching the nativity scene being played out.
Yes, we have different beliefs when it comes to that, but if our kids are able to see those differences with their eyes wide open, I truly believe that will help them live their lives with their minds wide open.
Big Brother will have a blast! Games, FOOD - mostly cookies and cakes, nothing "specific", though, maybe a gift exchange, but small. He'll have a great time!
You guys are wonderful, you always touch my heart:) Thank you so much for the information, it is going to help Big Brother out so much!
((Hugs))
So this is where you've been hiding - I've missed reading your blog!
How wonderful that KC is starting to get the idea of using a spoon! My son (age 8) didn't develop right-left dominance until last year. He still switches hands when his right hand gets tired but he's become more consistantly right-handed over time.
Using the spoon was difficult for him also. He still will use his fingers if we don't watch him closely. We had more luck with a fork since he can stab the food and it won't roll off again (which is frustrating even for adults!) Try a toddler fork that has rounded tines if safety is a concern.
As for the Chrismas party - I agree with the others. Check to see if they will exchange gifts, otherwise there are not many traditions that you probably haven't already heard about. The foods don't differ much from Thanksgiving feasts. Some pople have ham rather than turkey (and some have goose or oyster stew but those are rare). Most families have lots and lots of Christmas cookies (sugar cookies cut-out and frosted and various other sugary treats)
My family is not particularly religious but we explain Christmas to our children as a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Most religions believe that he existed but Christians believe that he is the Son of God (and thus part of God - but that's more complicated) When Jesus was born, people brought him gifts just like now when we give gifts to new babies and moms. Strangers brought him gifts because they believed he was special. This is why Christmas centers on gift giving, peace and goodwill towards other people. At least in theory. The other symbols (Santa, the Christmas tree, etc) were pagan carryovers when various cultures converted to Christianity.
I admire your openness towards letting big brother learn about Christmas. You might also look for books on other holidays celebrated around this time. Kwanzaa and Ramadan (though technically over in October this year) come to mind. That way Big Brother wont see it as an either-or decision and you can discuss your own beliefs. I hate it when Christians try to promote their religion as if its the only one that matters this time of year.
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