[ajjhmf]

...about the holiday's since becoming a parent.

1) No matter how hungry they are, kids won't eat my mom's green bean casserole.

2) Ornaments that look like toys are assumed to be... TOYS!

3) Even if they are "full," there is always room for dessert.

4) No matter what I do, I will look like a bad parent.

5) The amount of chaos a child unleashes on a house, is directly proportional to the amount of time they spent in the car getting there.

6) Presents under the tree before Christmas are free game.

7) Grandpa's train cannot carry the baby around the tree.

8) Bring extra clothes, be SOMEONE will need to be changed.

9) No one will nap, so don't even try.

10) Relatives won't provide batteries or assembly, so just be prepared.

[Barksum]

ROFL Yes, to all of the above.

Also Holiday Spirit does not extend to sharing toys, discarded wrapping paper, or anything else within any given child's perceived territory! (Unless you get a Christmas Miracle....)

Using candy to decorate the tree is just asking (begging? pleading?) for problems.

All holiday programs are too late, run too long, and bring about general hysteria in the children participating and/or attending.

The issue listed above leads to a breakdown in positive social skills among the adults attending any holiday program, regardless if they are parents or not.

[ajjhmf]

Ah, yes. Those positive adult social skills....lol.

15) It's okay to set up 15 tripods in front of the children's program making it impossible to actually SEE the program live.

16) Cranberries make excellent ammo for sling shots.

17) While the marshmellow gun seemed like a good idea, you don't think so several months later when you find calcified marshmellows behind the sofa.

18) Christmas pictures of all the kids happy at one are impossible.

[Lylac]

ROFL!! Yes, Yes and most definately!! I can relate to all of the above.

[wellnow]

Originally Posted by ajjhmf

...about the holiday's since becoming a parent.

10) Relatives won't provide batteries or assembly, so just be prepared.

I don't have any children but I am GUILTY of this one..I just bought my nephews a laser gun set for Xmas and noticed it required 6 batteries...I am not looking forward to buying them but I will so they can ENJOY the gift that day instead of having to make a pit stop at Walgreens on their way home

[qs mom]

This aunt ALWAYS makes sure the batteries are in and that it works BEFORE it is wrapped.

[ajjhmf]

Here's some more...

- No matter how hard you try, you will end up needing to get "just one more thing" on Christmas Eve.

- The boxes and wrapping paper as, or more, exciting than the gift itself.

- The more excited a child is about getting a toy out of a box, will be equall to the difficulty involved in teh removal.

-You will lose at least one piece of a beloved toy in the wrapping.

- If you need to return it, there won't be a gift receipt.

- If it doesn't fit, the tag will be cut out.

[kretzklan]

These are funny...the list gets a little different as they get older!

[SAHmom]

18) Christmas pictures of all the kids happy at one are impossible.

I can *so* relate to this one! We always have this problem with our family pictures. I have learned to tell the photographer to just do the best she can & I am not expecting much. It puts her at ease not to have to worry about everyone smiling. I do draw the line when they are picking their nose during picture taking though!

[vegaschristina]

Originally Posted by ajjhmf

18) Christmas pictures of all the kids happy at one are impossible.

Photoshop can solve that problem! I've cut & pasted pictures together to get everyone facing in the same direction.

[mrsred]

Here are a couple more:

1. No matter how much a gift costs, or how hard I try to please it will never measure up to expectations.

2. Even if I shop with a calculator, spending the same amount, to the penny on each child, with the same total number of gifts for each, it will not be fair.

[Barksum]

ROFL Mrsred!! TOO true!

[ajjhmf]

LOL, how true!

[sunshinemommy]

Okay...as a first time Christmas mommie...I am filing these away...and shaking in my boots...

Agghhh....

[mrsred]

Hydro, there is a reason Santa Claus was invented .... it is someone to put the blame on when reality doesn't meet fantasy expectations.