Do you remember your parents saying Santa won’t come if you’re bold?
We’ve all heard it, even if you think you were the most angelic child to ever exist you’re definitely having a flashback right now.
However, according to the experts, this isn’t the way you should be disciplining your own kids, even in the run-up to Christmas.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast counselling psychologist Leslie Shoemaker said parents shouldn’t use the man in red as a bargaining tool.
“Santa’s about fun, it’s about presents, it’s about family time together,” she explained, “The other thing is Santa’s only once a year, what are you going to do for the other 11 months?”
Leslie argued that we don’t follow the same practices for the Easter Bunny so why apply it to Santa?
She explained that while consequences and boundaries are important, handing authority over to someone else such as Mr Claus won’t send the right message.
“People are using Santa, and therefore they’re handing over their authority to somebody who lives in the North Pole,” she said.
“We need to look at more long-term positive types of discipline and let’s keep Santa fun.
“We’ve got 26 days left until he comes, the decorations are starting to go up, I’ve seen trees in windows, it’s great craic. Let’s enjoy the season for what it is,” she added.
READ MORE:
- All you need to know about HPV vaccinations for secondary school students and men under 22
- Father who donated kidney to son marks his first day of school with family
- People call for child-free flights after kids ‘incredibly annoying’ hat keeps them awake
