Sometimes I like to think of myself as a Mom with a tool belt full of parenting techniques. That is not to say it is a perfect tool belt....far from it. But I am a visual person and this helps me feel like I have options. This tool belt has everything in it from "parenting with Love and Logic", aka... "oh, oh....that is so sad". Then there is the distraction method tool often used with toddlers. The tool of giving choices. Then I have my bribery tool....often used at the grocery store with donut holes. There is the threatening tool, "I am taking t.v./wii away if you don't ____". Then the classic, "I am counting to 10, or 5, or 3, depending on my patience level. Lastly, there is the raising my voice and feeling like a crazy Mom tool.....often ineffective, but sometimes it is all I have left.
And so since we are in full anticipation of Christmas (2 days and counting) I have pulled out my seasonal tool...Santa. At times the kids winter angst, sugar high and santa anticipation can present itself as very naughty behavior. Santa does not like to see this. Of course, this is when I pull out the very effective Santa tool. I remind all the little people (who all believe) that Santa
is watching. Specifically, I say in a very concerned voice, "You know, Santa knows that you are acting naughty. I don't think I would do that if I were you." And somehow they pull themselves together. Very effective in the months of November and December. I highly recommend it.
I'll use whatever tool I have, and right now it is the Santa tool for 2 more days!
