i just wanted to share this i am having the christmas blues not on top of adam not being here i have no idea how i am going to buy christmas for the kids and then my daughter decides a week before christmas that she wants a tv instead of a mp3 player so now i am stuck because i have no idea what to do. i got paid this past week and wont get paid till after christmas and i havent bought anything yet for my daughter she is 11. now my son's is taken care of but i wanted to get him something else but i have no idea how to do it. i am so depressed and blue that i cant even enjoy the fact that i get to see adam next weekend. i know that there is alot more to christmas than just gifts and the kids know the meaning its just i am not in the christmas mood. any ideas how i can be in the christmas mood and not be a scrooge?--shea

I don't know how long he has left in prison but look at it this way.. No only you have financially binds because of a loved one in prison. I did too. I explained to my children our situation and asked each one what they really wanted for Christmas and each pick out a present. Children are rather understanding esp. when mom is having a hard time. Just be honest. It worked for me....

You are so right. I was also having the same problems at Christmas. My children are a 18 and 15 but they are use to a large celebration. Back in August i lost my job and we are liveing off of unemployment. My daughter works and is in high school. She only works 12 hours a week and her money is used on school and her Personal things. I was so upset about not being able to go all out like i use to. However my children were extremely understanding. It was one of the hardest Christmas's i have had. Thanks to my children i seemed to laugh!!! Children are so special.

I'm new to the forum, but I can completely understand how stressful the holidays can be. My husband is a CO, I work full-time, and I'm a full-time student and we still don't have the funds to make end meet! This year, we'll be able to get each of our daughters one gift each and still can't afford to spend the money on a tree!

First off let me Welcome lil2t to PTO and the Alabama Forums! We really like to see posts and thoughts from CO's and their family as it also gives us insight into their lives and how they have to deal with having to work inside the prisons with our loved ones and those who are not always the easiest prisoners to deal with. And yes it is not just us who have issues on the outside, as your testimony tells us..financial burdens are a way of life in this state and other places as well. Not everyone is lucky to be able to give a "nice" Christmas to their family. And yes it is just as stressful to you guys as it is to us. But I think we all do the best we can. God Bless our children for understanding too!
AS For having the Christmas Blues it is not unusual for anyone of us here not to have those feelings. This was my year also, but having learned the system and searching the internet and calling the places like Salvation Army and Toys for Tots and also Angel Tree supporter in my local community My granddaughter had a fabulous Christmas...more clothes(she really needed them) than toys thank goodness. There is also a Nation Wide Angel Tree Ministry for Children of Incarcerated Parents. The prisons have the applications(not sure who they would talk to) for any inmate who wants to put their children on the list(this must ber done early like August or September I think)..they give the information of who the kids are living with and someone in their town contacts that person for personal info on the children(like what they really want for Christmas..sizes and ages etc.). Thru donations they recieve nationwide, all year long, they are then able to buy the kids 2-3 items and also the church affiliation will hold a Christmas party filled with music, bibical aspect of Christmas and how it came about and games and food free for the kids and their parents.
Let me tell you this takes the load off one's shoulders to see our little ones running around playing and laughing without a care and knowing in their hearts that their mommy and/or daddy cares about them.
For those of you who missed these opportunities this year and find yourself in the same position next year make a note and besure to contact these places Mid Nov. They are there to help and it is not a pride issue...some of the givers have walked in our shoes at some point and time and this is why they volunteer either by donation or delivery!
Gods Bless you all

Alabama Granny

i am better now i mean i got a christmas miracle because i got my paycheck early and got the kids christmas and i got to see adam on the 22nd and on new years eve i got to talk to him at midnite so it made my new year

I am bring this up top to get out the info to families who might not afford Christmas for their family's children who are incarcerated!
See No 5 post as it is full of options!

Alabama Granny

Good thinking on that, GS.

I was thinking the other day I'm not particularly looking forward to Christmas this year, but one thing about it... once we get thru this Christmas, we only have ONE more Christmas with him in there, it will be his last Christmas in prison.

Hard to believe, I think once upon a time I thought this time would never come. ;)

Ah Lys..The time has flown by hasn't it...just seems like the other day it woud be a long time I am so glad to hear you've only got 1 more year to go!

God Bless and have the Faith..What he gives you, He will Always Bring you thru It!

Alabama Granny