The Leverage of the Holidays...

During this time of year, parents usually struggle with the holiday season with the grace of a Bull in a China shop. I watch and hear the parents at school talking about the never ending battle of Christmas shopping and special events along with their children's regular weekly routines. I want to yell "STOP!". You are the parent and especially this time of year, YOU have the leverage on all things kids!

My routine is probably no different from many of yours. If I'm working, I'm out the door before anyone else is up, but if I'm off for the day, get up, kid dressed, breakfast, kid to school and then on to my day. During the summer time, everything pretty much stays the same except the school thing. Between sports, Girl Scouts and a few other things during the week, we are a very normal family. We always try to eat dinner together and talk about our days followed by homework, child in the shower time, PJ's then a bit of down time, watching part of a movie or playing a game followed by kid to bed and the cycle starts all over again in the Morning. But......

What we forget sometimes this time of year is the power we hold! We are the Zeus's of this month! The little Elf on a Shelf thing I so detest is only one of our many thunderbolts. My six year old will freeze at any mention of a bad report to "Santa" during a tantrum or mischievous activity. The mention of the direct line I have to "Santa" and the weekly phone session we hold together works like a charm. I can only believe that there is never so many behaving children as there is in December.

There is a darker side to these thunderbolts of leverage. Let me explain what I mean exactly. There may come a time when the leverage is challenged. The Elf returning back to "Santa" is questioned, or even the possibility of having "Santa's" phone number is brought up. "Santa will bring me gifts even if I act like a crumb!" is yelled in your face. Step back my friends and look at your opponent dead in their little eyes and calmly say the following, "Do you really want to challenge what i'm telling you?". Also, have a friend on speed dial. Even change their name in your phone for the season to "Santa", but make sure they know a call may come that you refer to them as "Santa" when they answer hello. If this simple step isn't done, third party 911 could be initiated and the whole damn plan goes to crap! Have your friend talk for a minute to your youngster in there best "sant" or even "Mrs. Santa's" voice. When it comes to the Elf on the Shelf thing, maybe the Elf skips a day but leaves a note saying they needed a day to rest after such a hard day of overseeing bad behavior. It's okay folks, putting the screws to a child because of bad behavior this time of year doesn't make you a bad parent, it makes you an innovator!

I love my daughter more than words could express, but there are days she knows what button to press from January to November. When it comes to number 12 on the calendar, We the parents have the power! We all know the big secret when it comes to Christmas morning. no matter what our kids put us though during the year, we love them and there will always be presents under the tree from the big guy.

Special Note (Small Print): If you decide to try one of my Thunderbolts and it doesn't work to your satisfaction, your innovation skills are sub-par and I will in no way be blamed for your failures!

As always, Happy Holidays. Enjoy your time with friends and family and stay Alpha in your household!