Do You Use Santa as a Threat?

December 24, 2008

We all know the story about the kid who got a lump of coal for Christmas. But, the other day I was out shopping and overheard a mom telling her son that if he didn't get back in the stroller she'd call Santa. The lil guy was sick of shopping and just wanted to go home. Do you use this tactic?

11 Comments

khrystena 4 years 21 weeks

I have had people (cashiers) do that to my daughter - oh you have to be good or santa won't come. I was dumbfounded. she wasn't being horrible (it was a quick run in before heading home for lunch/nap) she wasn't her best but she was a little more wild, but for some random stranger to threaten her with santa was wrong. Thank goodness she wasn't listening to this random lady, i refuse to mention santa let alone threaten her with it. She knows about santa but none of the rules.

lickety split 4 years 21 weeks

i have been known to say something like "wow, i hope santa doesn't get wind of this. you've been SO good all year.....well, hopefully everything will work out". restoration hardware use to sell lumps of coal in a box (i think they were really candy), for "those on the naughty list".

MissSushi 4 years 21 weeks

Ugh.. I hate when people use Santa as a scare tactic. I honestly feel thats defeating the purpose of the magic of santa. It's teaching them to act nice when they want something, and that drives me nuts. My sister is a prime example of people who are nice until they get what they want, and then shes a scag, so I cant imagine cultivating that sort of behavior. I dont like when people use ANY thing like that though, such as scaring kids into not getting out of bed with the boogey man.

MissSushi 4 years 21 weeks

JennyJen 4 years 21 weeks

I have said Santa is watching you and that Santa only brings presents to good little girls and boys.

Greggie 4 years 21 weeks

Absolutely not.

Greggie 4 years 21 weeks

Absolutely not.

nevadamtnbear 4 years 21 weeks

I have very mixed feelings on this issue - however, our son was just on a rampage of making poor choices. Finally, out of despiration, my hubby whipped out the phone and *called* Santa and had a talk with Santa about our son's behavior and the potential consequences if he didn't start making better choices about his behavior. I wasn't entirely happy about the *chat*, but I was at my own wits end. I absolute hate to admit it, but we have seen a marked difference in our son's behavior. We have followed up the last two weeks with constant re-affirmation of how awesome his behavior has been, how it makes his teachers happy, how it results in him having more privileges and opportunities to do the things he wants, and not focused the affirmation of his good behavior on Santa coming. We've been on a two week turn around, and I'm so grateful. And, I think that because he's experienced the positive reinforcement not associated with Santa but how when he's behaving it positively impacts everyone around him, this trend my be sticking around ... well, until the next phase of development. LOL.

nevadamtnbear 4 years 21 weeks

I have very mixed feelings on this issue - however, our son was just on a rampage of making poor choices. Finally, out of despiration, my hubby whipped out the phone and *called* Santa and had a talk with Santa about our son's behavior and the potential consequences if he didn't start making better choices about his behavior. I wasn't entirely happy about the *chat*, but I was at my own wits end.I absolute hate to admit it, but we have seen a marked difference in our son's behavior. We have followed up the last two weeks with constant re-affirmation of how awesome his behavior has been, how it makes his teachers happy, how it results in him having more privileges and opportunities to do the things he wants, and not focused the affirmation of his good behavior on Santa coming. We've been on a two week turn around, and I'm so grateful. And, I think that because he's experienced the positive reinforcement not associated with Santa but how when he's behaving it positively impacts everyone around him, this trend my be sticking around ... well, until the next phase of development. LOL.

mom2ross 4 years 21 weeks

Besides the question... What the heck is that stock Santa photo from? Why is he wearing the Kansas City Chiefs? There aren't any non-NFL Santa photos out there? LOL

mom2ross 4 years 21 weeks

Besides the question...What the heck is that stock Santa photo from? Why is he wearing the Kansas City Chiefs? There aren't any non-NFL Santa photos out there? LOL

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