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I had the perfect answer when my mother recently asked me what I wanted for Christmas—an old-fashioned ice cream maker
. I want the kind made of wood that you have to crank by hand—no electricity involved. I saw it in a store last week and immediately knew I wanted it! She looked at me as if I were crazy. After all, you can buy ice cream anywhere and, should you want to make it yourself, there are electric ones.
 See side bar for information on Sharon's wonderful books for elementary-age children. There is a discounted price on the 5-book series that even includes a darling Nicholas puppet.
These books are "co-authored" by Sharon's beloved cocker spaniel Nicholas who shares true antics by him and his animal buddies to gently and lovingly present important living skills. Each book is filled with problem-solving exercises, delightful illustrations and easy-to-follow suggestions. His inquisitive childlike qualities make him the perfect guide on difficult and important subjects. See "The Nicholas Collection" at www.hrdpress.com/SharonScott .
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Obviously a gift like this involves fond memories. It was at either set of grandparents… perhaps on the 4th of July… Labor Day… or just because it was a hot summer day in Texas. The flavor might be vanilla, peach (with fresh peaches from the yard no less!), pineapple or peppermint. It was a time when family sat together for long periods of time and talked. I got cold from sitting on the towel atop the ice cream freezer placed there to keep the salted ice in. There was no such thing as “quality” time—all time was quality because it was quantity!
Which brings me to the point: a suggestion to buy holiday presents that are not electronics. Although they do improve hand/eye coordination, they generally do nothing to encourage closeness, kindness, sharing, laughter or other positive interaction. When I was very young, I recall my mother made pirate hats out of newspaper for my friends and me—what fun we had talking with her as she folded and we colored them! I also fondly remember badminton games in the back yard—or just playing catch—or lengthy Monopoly challenges.
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So think about buying books that the family could read together such as Marley & Me
, Black Beauty
or From Baghdad, With Love
— all lovely stories about animals.
[Editor’s Note: You might also consider Sharon’s wonderful books for elementary-age children to be read with a parent or other adult—these delightful life skills books are “co-authored” by her beloved cocker spaniel Nicholas. She also has award-winning books for teens. See sidebar for more information or go to www.hrdpress.com/SharonScott].
Board games that would be fun for all, such as Pictionary
or Monopoly
, could be fun. A family arts and crafts kit
could stimulate conversation. Ball games are fun—I think of Steve Martin’s character shooting baskets with his daughter in the movie Father of the Bride. He put her on the
basketball
court when she was a little girl and was shooting baskets with her in the snow the night before her wedding—a classic example of play stimulating a deep conversation. Of course, a family volunteer project has all kind of good results for everyone and can teach so much. It could be helping in some way at your local homeless shelter, humane society or other.
Whatever you select, think about the goal of the toys and games you give your children. Do they encourage isolation (and possibly even aggression) or do they bring about involvement, talking and laughter? I hope you opt for the latter!
P.S. Please read my other column “The Counselor’s Corner” about Keeping up with the Jones.
Copyright © 2008, Sharon Scott. No reproduction without written permission from author.
Sharon Scott, LPC, LMFT, has been making a difference in peoples’ lives for 30 years though her international keynotes and workshops, her eight award-winning books, and her private counseling services. Five of her books are a charming series for elementary-age children that she “co-authored” with her savvy cocker spaniel Nicholas. Each beautifully illustrated book teaches a valuable living skill such as managing emotions in Life’s Not Always Fair, building character in Nicholas’ Values, and making wise choices in Too Smart for Trouble. Sharon’s best-seller for teens is How to Say No and Keep Your Friends, 2nd Ed. Her books are available from HRD Press, 800-822-2801 or www.hrdpress.com/SharonScott . For more information on Sharon’s many workshop topics that she can bring to your child’s school or community, please see her website at www.SharonScott.com.
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Listen to
Families Online Radio Interview with Sharon Scott
Books That Work!
By Sharon Scott
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Family counselor Sharon Scott is the author of 8 books including this delightful series for children that is "co-authored" by her savvy cocker spaniel Nicholas who makes learning valuable life skills fun.
 Too Smart for Trouble, a best-selling, award-winning book, teaches children to think on their own and how to say no when asked to do something wrong.
 Not Better... Not Worse... Just Different is must reading for children to learn to be more sensitive to others, avoid bullying and know how to handle teasing.
 Life's Not Always Fair is a child's guide for managing emotions and learning to soothe oneself when mad, sad, scared or confused.
Nicholas' Values is a delightful guide helping children develop good character traits such as honesty, confidence, sharing and so much more!
Too Cool for Drugs helps children learn why and how to say no to drugs--drug education must begin in the home at an early age!
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