When our now 24 year old daughter was 10, all she wanted for Christmas was a Crock-Pot. Ever since she was little she loved being in the kitchen and at 10 she felt like she was ready to take over more the family meals… and she thought a Crock-Pot was going to be the key to her success. 
A couple of people made comments about how foolish it was for a “child” to get something like a Crock-Pot for Christmas and how we should give her “age-appropriate” gifts, that we should let her enjoy her childhood.
Years after that she has asked for and received a food processor, a set of good knives and other gadgets.
All I have to say is that the girl got her Crock-Pot and was thrilled! This same girl is now a chef and works at two restaurants and if the Lord wills it, will one day own a cooking school for young people aging out of foster care.
Whether it be Christmas, a birthday or whatever, let us be careful to be in-tune to what will foster our children’s talents and gifts.
This year I have a 9 year old boy who is all about hunting and fishing, and also struggles with reading so he is getting this book. I believe he will be very motivated to read it!
Set the fads and fillers aside and encourage the good things of life!
CandyFoote says:
I love this story! As a mother of 12, I always encourage parents to give real things opposed to plastic toys! Great job!
Christina @Keeping Home says:
Robin says:
We gave our ten year old her own percolator! She LIVES making the coffee every morning! I believe a crock pot might be in her future! She is in love with cooking! Thanks for the great idea!
jfred says:
Last yr I found the prettiest set of 4 tea cups + saucers at a thrift shop. I then searched high and low for the perfect tea pot! That was dd’s 9th bday gift. I then looked for a few china pieces for her xmas gift. I didn’t want matchy-matchy, but looked for pieces w pink, blue, and/or grey, w a silver band along the edge. I picked up a set of 4 dinner, salad, and dessert plates, plus 4 small bowls. I had at least one person look down their nose at this gift for dd….they felt I should buy her toys….not USED dishes. Thing is, the main toys my dd has ever played with were tea sets and dishes, lol. Buying her toys is hard….she doesn’t really care for them. But she loves to plan a tea party, loves to set the table, and loves things to be “fancy”. I bought what I felt was best for our dd…and truly, it was her fave gift! And we use her dishes often, as she makes us food, throws a party, or sets the dinner table.
I’m glad dh and I listened to the heart of our dd, vs going along with the perceived norm. Oh, and now, I get to add to her dishes each yr! By the time she’s ready to move out and set up housekeeping, she will have so much of what she needs!
jwilly says:
Now I feel normal! Why get the girls easy bake ovens when they can read a recipe, gather ingredients and make real food for themselves and their families? My 10 yr. Old loves being involved in the kitchen and for the most part she works beside me on many meals.
This year she saved and bought her first sewing machine. For the holidays she got a sewing basket and her own basic sewing supplies.
Jeanne says:
That is wonderful, I have adopted 7 of our 13 children out of Foster Care. There are still too many in the system that will age out!!!
Darcy says:
Two of my girls received sewing machines this year for Christmas and they were both excited that they were jumping up and down and saying it was the best Christmas present ever. Our girls have also asked for and received bows for Christmas because they love archery and a few are starting to ask for guns because they enjoy hunting. My oldest has a hope chest now, so we have started giving her items to put in there and she was so excited. I love that my children will be prepared for the future as I never was.