Three days and counting until your youngster fully hopes and often expects to get EVERYTHING he or she wants under the tree for Christmas.For the most part that won’t happen and in truth shouldn’t happen, so how to handle the potential meltdown?  Dr. Allison Baker of the Child Mind Institute says the holidays are a good opportunity to help your kids learn life lessons.  (Tell that to a five year old who didn’t get the FROZEN Elsa

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images
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doll she wanted more than life! )

But seriously, it's important to stress to your child that Christmas is not just about receiving gifts, but the joy of giving them too. Dr. Baker says it’s also a great opportunity to teach kids about volunteer opportunities and charitable giving.

In other words, Christmas disappointments provide practice. Baker says, "It's important that little ones have trials and tribulations to learn to manage their feelings and their emotions in the service of developing social competence and resilience.”  She adds what so many well intended parents forget--you cannot shield your child from life so  look at this as an opportunity to build character, they’ll be the better for it. (Fox)

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