Like any good mother I’ve been attempting to bribe my kids with Santa’s potential displeasure for the last three months or so. Christmas time can be a life-saver, for reasons less obvious than Jesus’ birth and all that. Along with celebrating my eternal salvation and what-not, the season also allows me to attempt to reiterate the importance of good behavior to my son who is less inclined to care at any other time of the year.
And trust me, I’ve tried.
January-March: “Jack, you had better watch your attitude buddy. The Easter Bunny is all about good little boys.” “Hmm..I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure the Easter Bunny brings baskets to everybody.”
April-June “Jack…it’s almost 4th of July. You need to be a good boy. Celebrating the Nation’s Independence and all?” “Oh boy! Do we get 4th of July presents?”
July-September: “Oh, man Jack. It’s almost Halloween. You had better…oh, never mind!” <Smile>
And finally, October-December: “Jack! Remember that Santa keeps a naughty or nice list. You better make sure you make it on the nice list.” “Why? What do the naughty kids get.” “I don’t think you want to find out buddy.” “I do.” “No you don’t. Just be nice, okay?” “What if it’s something really fun, like nerf guns?” “Jack..I think you’re missing the point here. Naughty boys don’t get any presents.” Avery: “Mom, I’m pretty sure they do. There’s lots of naughty kids I know that still got presents.” Jack looks at me meaningfully. “Well, if they do it won’t be anything you want.” “I will if it’s nerf guns.” “And what if it’s nothing? What if Santa brings you an empty stocking?” “Hmmm…”
You can practically see the visions of sponge-tipped projectiles dancing in his naughty little head.
Nevertheless, I have several more days to try and scare the bejeesus out of him by planting the seed of doubt.
And Avery is pretty much guaranteed to wake up to stellar gifts. That girl is Aces and Santa knows it.
Mindy
Brandy says
You will never, I repeat NEVER, outthink that kid.
Jackie says
Mindy! I’m so excited you have a blog! I will also be scrolling through old posts (and, I have a feeling I will be laughing alot) so I think by the time we see each other again in real life, we will know waaaayyyy too much random information! It will be great!