It’s Twin Tuesday again, and that means it’s time for me to answer the TwinTuesday Question of the Week:

“As a parent of twins, all I really want for the holidays is…”

Twin Happy Jen’s, answer to this questions is…

“All I really want is for my girls to feel the magic of the holidays that I felt growing up. I know a lot of people complain that the holidays are too commercial and all, but I just don’t see it that way. As a child, I was obsessed with presents I would make a hundred copies of my Christmas list, trying to get it just right :-p However, while some would worry about that kind of behavior from a child, thinking they’ll just become selfish, materialistic adults, you must keep one thing in mind: Children are not simply little adults… everything is a learning process for a child. And the primary way that they learn is observing their parent’s actions.

My parents worked very hard each year to make sure we had a great Christmas, even if they didn’t have a lot of money. Now that I’m a parent, I do the same… while it’s always nice to receive gifts, it just isn’t anywhere near as important to me as it was when I was a child. Because, even while caught up in what Barbies or My Little Ponies I wanted each particular year, what was really happening inside of me was this: With each gift, each decoration hung, each trip to see Santa… each way my parents gave of themselves, their time and yes, even money, taught me the true spirit of giving.”

Now for my answer:

“As a parent of twins, all I really want for Christmas is…”

• I want the girls to receive lots of lovely presents from their Christmas List (which is quite detailed for the first time, now that they are five!).  However, this year, Hubby and I are hoping that their presents from the extended family will not be huge bulky plastic contraptions that tend to take over a modest 3-bed semi!
• I want the girls to continue to accept their “Sharing Gifts” without grumbles, and to share them!  (of course!)
• I want the girls to sleep to a civilised hour on Christmas morning!  This has never been a problem in past years, but now they are older and more aware, I fear I might have an early rise this year!
• I want my girls to pose for some lovely family photos over the Christmas period.  (Sometimes they are right little poseurs, but sometimes they point blank refuse to play the game!)
• I want my girls to enjoy the magic of Christmas, the anticipation of Santa Claus and the story of the nativity.  One thing I’ve learned in the past five years is that they grow up far too fast!