The Circus Comes Back, Childhood Doesn't

It’s that time of year again: time to think about what to get your children for Christmas. The pressure is real. Every year, retailers and toy and tech companies offer up a never-ending buffet of games and gadgets. There’s a lot to choose from, and some of it will lose its sparkle by New Year’s Day.

Before you stress out, I’ve got a great gift idea, one that I promise your children will love. It’s you. Sure, children like to open presents for Christmas. But it’s you that they want. It’s you that they need. It’s always been that way.

Journalist Arthur Gordon once wrote a story about the greatest gift he received as a boy. His father had promised him and his brother a trip to the circus. But just before walking out the door, the phone rang. A co-worker of Arthur’s dad had called to summon him back to the office for an important meeting. His dad told them no. The meeting would have to wait. After he hung up, his wife said, “If you need to work, the circus always comes back.” To which Arthur’s dad replied, “Yes, but childhood doesn’t.” This Christmas, give something to your children that nobody else can – yourself. Time with your children comes with an expiration date. They won’t be living at home with you forever. Those moments are too precious to waste. Instead of investing so much time and money trying to give your children the perfect present, be one.