How to Use the Holiday Season to Your Advantage in Twin Falls

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, that means Christmas and the holiday season are a full go now. Many went crazy with shopping this last weekend and are continuing to do so, while some will wait until the final days before Christmas to even start. With the holiday season officially here, it is time to start using it to your advantage, especially if you are a parent. While you hope to raise your kids right and to be well-behaved, sometimes the cold weather keeping them indoors and the craziness of children being excited for this time of year can leave parents pulling their hair out. Instead of getting mad and yelling at your children, use the holiday season to your advantage, and here is how you can do so.

The Naughty and Nice List

This is the most classic way to get your kids to act better this holiday season. If they are acting out, make sure they are aware that Santa is constantly checking his list, and that they can be taken off the 'nice list' and put on the naughty one at any moment. No child wants coal for Christmas, and the fear of Santa switching which list they are on should help change their behavior. If it doesn't, then have some coal on standby to wrap up for them on Christmas morning, as well as find a different alternative to get them to change their act.

Throwing Christmas Presents in the Fire

If you want to get a priceless reaction from your children while teaching them to behave better, wrap an empty box in wrapping paper and place it under the tree. You can wrap one box or do this a couple of times, but make sure you know which ones are the 'fake presents.' Whenever your child acts out this time of year, threaten to throw one of their presents in the fire, and if they continue to act up, toss that empty box and paper into the fire and watch their reaction. It should get your point across, and make for a great YouTube video. Don't mix up the presents though, or you may cry as well, watching your hard-earned money burn and a present you didn't intend to throw into the fire.

'Throwing Away' Annoying Toys

Every kid seems to have that one or two toys that annoy the heck out of their parents. It can be a toy gun they keep shooting at you or their siblings, it can be something that sings or makes loud noises, or perhaps it is something that they leave out and you keep stepping on, I'm looking at you Legos. If they are acting up this time of year or using the toy to annoy you, even after telling them to put it away or play with it in their room, then take the toy away and 'throw it away.' You could throw it away for real, but another option is to let your child see you throw it away, wait for them to go to bed or leave the room, take it out, wrap it, and give it to them for Christmas. It works as a gift you didn't have to buy, as well as your child will be thrilled to have their annoying toy back.

Canceling Christmas

While this may be an extreme route to go, threatening to cancel Christmas will have your kid changing their attitude and actions in a hurry. This one may not be as fun and have as good of reactions as others on this list, but if your child is severely acting up this time of year, you can threaten to cancel Christmas and let them know Santa won't be coming and no presents will arrive. While this isn't the true meaning of Christmas, to kids presents are everything, and this should get them to act better going forward.

Calling Santa Claus

For most parents, this is one of the best pranks to pull on your children, as well as one of the most effective ways to get them to act better. When a child thinks their mom or dad is calling Santa to tell him they are being bad, the reactions can be priceless, which is why it is a good idea to have someone recording it when you do this one. If your child is acting up, pull out your phone and give Santa a call and let him know that your kid needs to be switched to the naughty list. They do have apps for this, where you can talk to Santa.

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While the holidays aren't about making your kids' pain turn into YouTube videos or making you laugh, it doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Kids will be excited as Christmas gets closer and schools begin to let out for winter break, so acting up is bound to happen. Instead of the usual threats of spanking, timeouts, or whatever you use to get their attention, why not use our old friend Santa and the time of the year to your advantage? Happy holidays and good luck parenting the rascals through them.