Christmas Shopping & Age-Appropriate Gifts
You should get him something "age-appropriate," they say. I remember when Noah was about 8, still wanting Blue’s Clues notebooks and Baby Bumble movies made for toddlers. I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. I'd discuss with Tina, pushing for what everyone thought he should want—a battle between the dad wanting him to fit in and the dad advocating for him to be himself. Both sides have had their victories, but it's been a war. Tina always got it; I was late to the party.
Year after year, Noah's gift list remains the same, and year after year, we've delivered exactly what he asks for. In the past, I'd gloss over what he was getting with friends and family; it was simpler. But this year, something clicked: I don't care 
about "age-appropriate" gifts; I want "Noah-appropriate" gifts. What does that mean? It means giving him what makes him happy, regardless. If it happens to match his age, well, that's just a bonus. I'm learning not to feel guilty for what others think he should have. Think about it—how many adults play video games or join softball leagues? Who decides what's age-appropriate anyway?
about "age-appropriate" gifts; I want "Noah-appropriate" gifts. What does that mean? It means giving him what makes him happy, regardless. If it happens to match his age, well, that's just a bonus. I'm learning not to feel guilty for what others think he should have. Think about it—how many adults play video games or join softball leagues? Who decides what's age-appropriate anyway?Noah's favorite gifts light up his world, and we'll keep providing them. This Christmas, I'm giving myself an age-appropriate gift too: compassion and self-forgiveness. I won't carry the weight of self-judgment into another year. I'll keep singing the clue song from Blue’s Clues with him and discussing what's important to him because that's what's Noah-appropriate. We've even started making our own crayon templates for coloring since those notebooks are long gone and hard to find.
To all caregivers, parents, and grandparents out there, we're all doing the best we can with the moments we're given. Here's to a Merry Christmas filled with joy and understanding. 