This month I talked to parents and children about the December holidays. Here is what they said:

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS?

PARENTS

The time spent with family and friends, nothing is more important than that.

I love the lights, the colors, the decorations. It makes me feel alive.

I love to cook with my son. I enjoy researching and shopping for the food I prepare.

I get to jump off the work treadmill and spend more time at home.

CHILDREN

I love the community feel.

I like it if the weather is really nice. We get to play.

We get to hang out more.

I get to see my parents, especially my Dad!

I like presents.

WHAT CAN BE HARD ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR?

PARENTS

I only want to be home cooking and nesting but I still have to work. It’s hard to work and get everything done.

There is lots of clean up.

I worry about money.

I know some people have stress stemming from time spent with family at this time of year but I don’t live near my family and I miss them.

It can feel lonely. The images we see of families at the holidays doesn’t seem realistic to me.

CHILDREN

I don’t celebrate Christmas, I feel left out. I don’t like the religious parts, I’m not a part of them.

If it’s cold I don’t like them as much.

In December my school gives a lot of homework. That’s hard!

All the cooking my parents do looks hard to me.