eg toys. my brother would ask for toys for xmas, but I knew that made the parents mad, so I didn't ask for any, and didn't get any, and that didn't make me or them happy. I was expected to just sit there and wait - no toys - and I did. And once I went to Catholic school, I understood that in terms of the religion - offer it up, make a sacrifice. Are you feeling squirmy in your seat? Sit still and offer it up (to God) - make a sacrifice. I must have heard that a million times. I think it's teaching kids to dissociate. Your post about toys making the learning sweeter just seriously knocked something together for me. I have toys - books, crafts, whatever - lying unused all over my house. They are sacrifices.