Damn you, Santa

I rely on the "Santa Syndrome" as a disciplining techinque from Halloween until Christmas.  Every parent who celebrates Christmas uses this technique.  You know, the same one that your parents used on you when you were a kid.  The one in which you pretend to call Santa or let Santa know that your child is acting naughty.  The one in which you threaten coal in a stocking.  When you remind your child that Santa is making his Good List and Naughty List, so he best start acting like a good little boy or he may get nuttin' for Christmas.

It's cruel and manipulative, I know.  But it works, people!  It works like a charm. 

That is, until Santa ruined it for me. 

My dad took Darius on a shopping trip to the mall this past weekend.  While they were passing the Santa photo op, Darius waved and said hello to the man in red.  And wouldn't you know, Santa smiled and waved back.  My sweet, Christmas-loving child took that to mean one thing and one thing only...

He's been a good little boy this year and Santa will be bringing him LOTS and LOTS of TOYS.

In otherwords, I'm totally screwed.

Darius came home from the mall so excited about his encounter with Santa.  And totally convinced that the verdict is already in about his "goodness."  No amount of me trying to threaten otherwise has made a crack in his resolve.

Sure, he's a good kid.  In fact he's a great kid.  He's generous and sensitive.  He's kind and cuddly. 

And thanks to Santa, I have no power over him.  By Santa acknowledging his mere presence, Darius has deduced that he is good. 

Santa wouldn't wave and smile at a naughty boy, right?

Comments

[akemi/svtwinmom]

I think I screamed "Santa is watching you!" three times this morning. We also have good & bad karma watching my boys, hehe.

Hmm, rethinking that trip to the mall to see Santa!

[Nicole]

and this is why I never take my boys anywhere :) Grandpa only takes them to garage sales and the senior center, no chance of running into Santa there. I suspect they are not buying the whole santa thing, though.

[jaspreet-kaur]

[who old are you santa on this december}
{i am miss you}