Loving the players, but hating the game

So it's December.  That typically means that children go out of their way to be extra good in hopes it will directly influence their Christmas loot.  That's how it's supposed to be.  My kids are not getting it.  In fact, it seems that just the opposite is happening.

As hard as it is to believe, the 5-day Thanksgiving break the children had was awesome...the kids were great and I had a really good time with them.  That very Monday morning, my utopia was shattered with shouting, tantrums, whining and sobbing.  What happened?   Was it all because school was back in session?  How long would it take for them to feel back on a routine??  Well it's been roughly 2 weeks and things are not only getting better, they are worse....much worse.

I'm talking unwrapping gifts under the tree-biting each other-water balloons in the house-screaming at everyone at the top of lungs-jumping off the top of furniture-worse.  Every day it's something new.  Things were even so challenging that I actually TOLD them that they should 'play the game' from basically November through Christmas. That is how desperate for order and compliance I was...I told them they needed to fake being good & nice to each other even if they don't really feel like it.  I mean, how pathetic do I need to be to actually spell out 'the game' for them???

I think more than angry, I'm just disappointed.  It's bad enough that the kids are so influenced by friends and media, but any attempt at teaching gratitude, let alone the true meaning of Christmas, is met with a void of any interest or attention.  There are brief moments of perspective that pop up telling me that this is expected behavior for the age they are.  That may be, but if they just threw me a mere morsel of how to be a blessing for others, I could cut myself some slack.

At the end of the day, I realize that every complaint I have is something that would describe me as well.  What do I do everyday to be a blessing to others?  Is my attitude reflecting of the Christmas season?  Do I do my fair share of screaming and throwing tantrums?  Guilty on all counts.  Looks like I have enough to worry about myself instead of throwing a pity party over how the kids are acting.  My best plan is to try and show them how December should look instead of telling them what is expected.

I'll keep you posted.....