I was thinking philosophically this morning about cost-benefit analysis. ("Cost–benefit analysis is a systematic process for calculating and comparing benefits and costs of a project for two purposes: (1)to determine if it is a sound investment, (2) to see how it compares with alternate projects. It involves comparing the total expected cost of each option against the total expected benefits, to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs, and by how much.") Things like this happen when you're married to a supply-chain guy. Anyway. Since our family grew this summer, I've spent a lot more time mentally going over the cost, including physical, mental, and $$, of all that we do with and for the kids vs. the benefit of those activities. I have come to find that many of the activities that we do with the kids have a high cost. Not only do they cost $$, but it takes a lot of Dave and I's physical energy to plan, prepare, and execute activities with our larger family. Not only that, but included in the cost is the fact that the kids often don't appreciate or enjoy these activities, or they become overstimulated and cranky by the end, adding to our emotional cost. The benefit of such activities, such as having fun as a family, or exposing kids to new experiences, often seem to get lost as the cost grows.
I am learning that simple seems to be the best. Higher cost does not always equal more benefit where kids are concerned. Luke 14:28 reads "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" I am learning to count the cost of just about everything I do, to make sure 1, it's worth the effort, and 2, I have sufficient energy and ability to finish it and be happy with the result. That doesn't mean that we don't do things as a family- it just means that we are learning to keep it simple!
I am looking forward to a relatively stress-free Christmas this year. Usually we travel to see family for Christmas which I love, but travelling with kids is always stressful. Although we will miss seeing our family, it will be nice to spend time doing all the Christmas stuff around here that we miss out on because we're not here. In addition to not travelling, we're keeping gifts for the kids simple and few and we were able to do a lot of our shopping online instead of braving the crowds at the stores. More is not always better so we're trying to get just a few things for each kid that they'll be happy with.
On a side note, I have 9 siblings, so instead of getting gifts for everyone, we do a gift exchange where we are assigned one sibling/family to get gifts for. This year we are doing an ornament exchange. I was assigned my sister and her family, and it was so fun to think about my sister's personality and make ornaments personalized for her. This is what I made her.
