What are your plans for Christmas Break?

My wife teaches in a middle school and she always has stories of broken hearted kids. I have drawn a conclusion from some of their complaints. Parents don't realize how valuable their time is to their children. She recently had a few kids of divorced homes mention they were not looking forward to going to their other parent's house for a few days over Christmas break. Their reason was that parent was not going to do anything with them. My wife encouraged them to talk to their parents about wanting to do something with them. So I want to encourage you, the parent, to create some time this Christmas season to spend with your children doing something that they want to do. I know that some parents believe that their children do not want to be bothered spending time with them. If truth be told, it very well may not be the case. They may feel the same way about you. They may think that you do not want to be bothered with them. And so you both sit in silence doing your own thing when you could be making memories and enjoying eachother's company. Look for those moments when you can make them feel like they are important to you. Ask questions when they tell you a story, or when they are completely silent. Do something with them that your parents did with you when you were there age. It may not be easy coming up with something to do with your children, especially if you do not see them all the time.  Ask them. They know what they want to do. It may be something as easy as taking them out to eat at their favorite restaurant, or a family game night at home, a hotel pool or indoor water park, the movie theater, or even a pet store to play with the puppies. Some of these things may be a little more pricey (especially if you go home with a puppy) and so it may require to back off a little on presents under the tree, but I think you will agree afterwards that it is worth every penny.