Christmas is almost dawning upon us and as usual, parents would be busy going around getting presents for their kids.  Does Santa exist, well, that’s really only between us adults.  For the kids though, at least for most of them, he does.  So, the writing letters to Santa begins.  And for us adults, it’s also a chance to start bribing the kids to behave – just so we get some peace of mind during this very busy period.  I’ve heard plenty of tales told by parents to their kids to keep them from misbehaving.  There’s the -’”if you don’t behave, I’ll give all your toys to the naughty truck”.  And really, when they do misbehave, the toys do disappear!

Another friend of mine had another method: ringing Santa each time her child misbehaves.  The moment her child decides to throw a tantrum, my friend would pick up the phone and pretend to start dialling and warn that she’s ringing Santa to tell him about it.  Immediately, her child would stop right in her tracks and start to behave the way her mum wanted her to.

In my house, I don’t tell them that Santa bought them the presents.  My children know that we buy the gifts, but are told that Santa keeps them for safekeeping.  If they misbehave, then all the gifts will be returned to the stores.  So far it has worked.   But for how long, only time will tell.