You better watch out: 1 in 4 parents use threat of no Santa to make kids behave

[Craig]

YOU KNOW THE SONG: “YOU BETTER WATCH OUT, YOU BETTER NOT CRY, YOU BETTER NOT POUT, I’M TELLING YOU WHY: SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN.”

AND AT THIS TIME OF YEAR – MANY PARENTS TURN TO THE THREAT OF FINDING A LUMP OF COAL IN THEIR STOCKING ON CHRISTMAS MORNING AS A WAY TO KEEP KIDS IN LINE.

RESEARCHERS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TALKED TO MORE THAN 700 PARENTS OF KIDS 1 TO 5 YEARS OLD…

AND MORE THAN HALF OF THEM SAID THEY’VE USED INCENTIVES OR BRIBERY – LIKE SAYING “IF YOU’RE GOOD YOU’LL GET DESSERT” –  TO ENCOURAGE GOOD BEHAVIOR IN THEIR CHILDREN…

WHILE ONE IN FOUR HAVE SPECIFICALLY THREATENED THE PROSPECT OF NO SANTA OR GIFTS.

EXPERTS SAY THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST IDEA.

INSTEAD… THEY SAY TRY POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT… AND BE SPECIFIC.

SO IF YOUR CHILD HELPS CLEAN UP, INSTEAD OF SAYING, “WHAT A GOOD BOY OR GIRL,” SAY SOMETHING LIKE,” THAT’S SO GOOD HOW YOU HELPED PICK UP THE TOYS.”

AND CHILD BEHAVIOR EXPERTS ALSO SAY CONSISTENCY IS KEY.

BUT ABOUT A QUARTER OF PARENTS SAY THAT’S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

ONE IN FOUR SAY THEY GET TOO IRRITATED WHEN THEIR CHILD MISBEHAVES… AND REACT BEFORE REMEMBERING STRATEGIES THEY’VE COME UP WITH TO ADDRESS THE BEHAVIOR.

ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM?

PARENTS ARE JUST TOO TIRED TO BE CONSISTENT.

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