This was a post in 2016 and more grandchildren are here (8 total) and each one precious in their own right. I thought I would repost this one for several reasons. Yes, the candy cane house is out on the counter waiting for the grands to see but not touch and will go home with them as years before. Why I bring this tradition up is to reflect how important the little things and lessons we teach the young ones stays with them as reminded a few days ago when one of our grandsons came to spend his one on one day with Granddaddy and Nana. He saw the Christmas tree and was excited to be the first one to see his birdhouse (that is a blog post for another day) but what I found to be profound was when he spotted the candy canes in the house on the counter. He didn’t want to grab one even though he immediately let Nana know peppermint is one of his favs. He reminded me of the promise of Nana sending those candy canes home at Christmas for their reward candy. Oh, how Nana smiled and promised those were their reward candy canes. How sweet it is. I was reminded we do make a difference and now for the original blog post:
CHILDREN SLEEP WHILE SUGAR CANDY CANES DANCE IN THEIR HEADS. We live in a world where a lot of children never know what the word no means. I am writing this post in hopes some people will read it and witness positive ways to bring children into reality and hopefully dispel some of the fantasy of giving anything to children anytime they say they want it
.
At first, when our son (my stepson but he is like mine) and his beautiful wife started having a lot of children, we were shocked. Of course we worried like all grandparents do….Will they be able to take care of them?…..Will they be able to take the time with each one?……Will they be able to get good education…..and on and on. Old dogs can learn new tricks and both of us, Granddaddy and Nana have observed one of the best parenting teams we have ever seen.
To emphasize a little of how it works, allow me to share how they take a “Nana gonna spoil them” event and change it into a tradition and a learning to reward good actions. We had bought candy canes at Christmas and put them into a ceramic house (see photo) and the boys immediately spotted the candy canes. While Nana was ready to give them out to each one, Cory spoke up and said, “Nana can send the candy canes home with us and when you do something really good, you will get one as a reward.” I was expecting some rebuttal from our grands but they were pleased to have a goal and I could almost see Nolan calculating just how good he was going to be to get the most. There was no more discussion until I was packing up some of the leftovers and the boys wanted to know if I had packed their Candy Canes. This was about 3 Christmases ago and each year they walk into Nana’s kitchen and look for their Candy Canes. I wrote a poem about this tradition and you bet Nana has their candy canes ready for them.
Here is Myles the youngest grandson with our first granddaughter.
My daughter Missy with most of the boys. What a lot of love for Aunt Missy |
Candy Canes with Loving Care
The candy canes are hung with loving care
In hopes the grandchildren will see them there.
It is a tradition for the canes to accompany them.
For a reward, they can earn; not eat on a whim.
Each year as the boys come into the room,
It seems as if their bright eyes begin to zoom.
Nana, are those our candy canes?
Yes, boys, your excitement never wanes.
They are to be earned for your good deeds
Not to be gobbled whenever you please.
Your parents will keep them nice and safe.
So be good boys and don’t hesitate.
To say I love you, thank you, and please.
Be nice to each other; kindly play not tease.
We have lots of candy canes so release
All your goodness and enjoy your sweets.
For our grands who love the candy canes and all our
Love……Nana and Granddaddy 2016
Written by Arline Miller
Now for the deeper thought……Sometimes we forget as we get older the most precious moments and special gifts are those gifts we work toward and feel a great accomplishment when we achieve. It is not the monetary value; it is the love behind the gift. I have witnessed so much love and sharing between our 5 grandsons and now they have their sister who each one of them take the time to hug or touch Mason when they pass by. She is special to them and I know they will teach her the Candy Cane Rewards that Nana will send home with them as she grows older. Maybe it might be fun to try this little game with your grandchildren and watch how they respond. Have a Merry Christmas or Holiday Season with the little ones! CHRISTMAS is the birthday of Jesus Christ who is the reason for the season.
BIBLE FEATURED VERSE:
Luke 2:1-20New International Version (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
(c) Copyright 2012-2016 Arline Miller with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party material is sourced to original location for reference credit.
One thought on “CHILDREN SLEEP WHILE SUGAR CANDY CANES DANCE IN THEIR HEADS”