Editor's Letter December 2021

I think a lot of parents will nod their heads in agreement when I say that kids often receive too much during the holidays. Whether it’s too many presents or too many sweet treats, there seems to be an overload of stuff during the holidays. When my girls were young, I tried to monitor things by telling well-meaning relatives that they really only needed to buy one or two gifts for the girls, but that didn’t always work. Often, my two would receive so much that after Christmas I would collect all the gifts, leaving out only a few for them to play with, and put the bulk in my closet. Then throughout the next few months, I’d bring out a new toy or two when the winter doldrums were setting in. This helped to extend the girls’ enjoyment of the haul. It can be difficult to limit stuff during a time when there’s an overabundance of stuff, but local mom Kim Antisdel has some great ideas on how to avoid overload. And our 14-page holiday guide has tons more great ideas on how to make your season more merry and less stressful!

When my younger was a baby and toddler, she didn’t enjoy my leaving her places without me—and she let me know it! Whether it was the nursery at church or the playroom at the gym, she wasn’t having it. Even though I knew she was fine and in good hands, it was hard to walk away when I could hear her crying and asking for me. Spoiler alert: They get over this real fast when they are teens! But, when you’re in the thick of it, it can be hard! Check out “Drama-Free Drop-Offs” to help make drop-offs go more smoothly.

Merry Christmas, Kansas City!