This article explores the common practice of parents using Santa Claus as a threat to encourage good behavior in children, particularly during the holiday season. It examines the reasons behind this strategy, its effectiveness, and offers alternative approaches from experts.
If, in a moment of tension, you’ve heard yourself saying something like, “Santa won’t come unless you ... ” — don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Mott Poll co-director and pediatrician Susan Woolford explained that the poll found other threats were even more common with children of this age. “About 80% of parents say they threaten to, for example, leave a place or an activity to encourage their children to behave well. And even more, 85%, said they threatened to take away toys or electronics.”
“If a child throws a tantrum in a store because they can’t get a toy, and they are told they will get a toy if they calm down and stop hitting, then the take-home message is that the tantrum was successful in getting them the toy, they wouldn’t have gotten it if the tantrum hadn’t occurred in the first place,” Orchinik said.It can feel like victory for the parent if they use a threat to get the tantrum to end in this kind of a situation, but in fact it will likely only lead to more tantrums.
For children who are a little older and able to understand your directions, you want to use clear, simple language like “If ... then” statements: “If you don’t take turns with the toy, I’m going to put it in the closet.”It’s important to be both deliberate and consistent. “I think one of the first things that parents should decide is which behaviors are important enough to address, because it really is impossible to address every behavior,” Woolford said.
When a child is upset, it’s helpful if the parent can stay calm. You can validate your child’s feelings — “I know you’re angry because you want to buy the candy” — and acknowledge that they are struggling without caving to their demand.The Mott Poll found that parents faced a number of obstacles when it came to being consistent with discipline.
Parenting Child Behavior Holidays Discipline Santa Claus
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dwayne Johnson's New Christmas Movie Repeats A Bad Santa Trope That's Never Made SenseDwayne Johnson in Red One and Santa Claus in Elf and The Santa Clause
Read more »
Green Lantern Shares a Surprising Connection to Santa Claus: Here's HowSanta Claus (foreground) with his arms crossed; Santa (background) using his super powers.
Read more »
Not-so-jolly woman, 62, charged with slugging spectator at Santa Claus parade: policeToday's Video Headlines
Read more »
Investing.com poll: Will a Santa Claus rally push stocks higher into year-end?Investing.com poll: Will a Santa Claus rally push stocks higher into year-end?
Read more »
Small caps historically outperform even the Santa Claus rally, starting before ThanksgivingThe weeks before year-end are often a bullish time for stocks, and smaller companies especially.
Read more »
Batman and Santa Claus Are Coming Together For a 2024 Holiday SpecialBatman and Santa in Silent Knight Ben Oliver Comic Art
Read more »