The holiday season can be a unique journey, full of unexpected moments and precious lessons. I remember once years ago as I navigated shopping with my son, I couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming commercialism that surrounded us.

The sensory overload, the constant temptation to buy impulsively – it can be challenging, especially when impulse control is a struggle. I found myself caught in moments of shame and frustration as my son yearned for things in the store. But in those moments, I've learned something profound.

It's about redefining the shopping experience. I asked my son if he'd like to go "window shopping" with me, to simply enjoy the sights and not make any purchases. His enthusiasm was heartwarming. We explored the store, and when he saw something he really wanted, we examined it closely, read the details, and talked about it.

And then, a pivotal moment. As he desperately wanted an item, he witnessed another family happily buying it. The longing in his eyes...