Anonymous wrote:One year, when I was talking to DD about the idea of getting a lump of coal for bad behavior, she was puzzled. She said she would like a lump of coal so she could draw with it, and asked if I could get her some. If you do it, be prepared for unintended consequences.

Lol my niece showed my 6 year old this ridiculous video about turning a lump of coal into a diamond with peanut butter and a microwave. So 6 year old told me they didn't care if Santa brought coal because he could turn it into diamonds, sell the diamonds, and buy whatever he wanted. Wasn't thrilled when I told him it didn't work.

We don't do the whole Santa doesn't bring presents to naughty kids.

That would be a terrible thing to do OP. Really. he's 4. Next year will be better. Get an elf and tell him he's watching and reporting to santa. It's worked wonders in my house.

Horrible parenting. One, it's a bad idea to use the Santa naughty/nice list to enforce good behavior. Come up with better parenting strategies. Two, he's 4. Don't you know that for a 4 yo, a consequence has to be given right after the bad behavior for him to make the connection between the two? You think giving him coal on Christmas will make him rethink behaviors he engaged in two weeks ago? Good luck with that. All it will do is ruin Christmas.

My 76 year old mother still talks about the year she got a single lump of coal in her stocking when she was 4 or 5. She also got presents and other things in her stocking. The lump of coal is her most vivid memory of childhood Christmases and one of her most vivid memories of childhood.

My grandmother died in her mid-90s about a decade ago, but she brought it up every Christmas as one of her biggest regrets in parenting.

So I would say no coal.

Anonymous wrote:One year, when I was talking to DD about the idea of getting a lump of coal for bad behavior, she was puzzled. She said she would like a lump of coal so she could draw with it, and asked if I could get her some. If you do it, be prepared for unintended consequences.

+1

My kid was just asking for coal to use in Minecraft and was disappointed when I said we didn't have any and wouldn't get any.

Anonymous wrote:That'll be a great Christmas memory and really set the tone for the upcoming year. I'm almost positive it will result in better behavior, right? Because four year olds are completely logical beings and 100% in control of their emotions.

You sound like an asshole, OP. Merry Christmas.

+1

OP, he's behaving badly because that's the best that he can do. He's not doing it on purpose. Give him a hug, not coal.

Honestly, I always wonder whether posts like this is someone trolling or if there is someone out there that is just a really incompetent parent. In case you are serious, are you saying you have no ability whatsoever to address your DC’s behavior without resorting to something so draconian? If that is the case give yourself the gift of PEP parenting classes for Christmas.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone actually have Santa give our coal? i'm considering it. My kid (4) has been spectacularly naughty lately. Without getting into the mitigating reasons and the rest, just take my word, this is his worst behavior. Now, I'm not sure what effect consequences from Santa would have. Anyone followed through with the naughty side of "he knows if you've been naughty or nice"?

I found that calling Santa works wonders 319-527-2680. Sometimes we don't even make it past him saying "hello" before behaviors change.

One year, when I was talking to DD about the idea of getting a lump of coal for bad behavior, she was puzzled. She said she would like a lump of coal so she could draw with it, and asked if I could get her some. If you do it, be prepared for unintended consequences.

That'll be a great Christmas memory and really set the tone for the upcoming year. I'm almost positive it will result in better behavior, right? Because four year olds are completely logical beings and 100% in control of their emotions.

You sound like an asshole, OP. Merry Christmas.

No, I just play Santa Claus is Coming to Town on repeat & loud, while singing along.

OMG, no. What an awful way to ruin this Christmas for all and the idea and magic of Christmas for your dc. I guess consequences trump kindness forgiveness and other silly things Christ talked about.

No. We don't do the naught or nice thing at our house. I mean, DS knows about it from Christmas stories/movies but he doesn't think it's real.

do it and report back

Anyone actually have Santa give our coal? i'm considering it. My kid (4) has been spectacularly naughty lately. Without getting into the mitigating reasons and the rest, just take my word, this is his worst behavior. Now, I'm not sure what effect consequences from Santa would have. Anyone followed through with the naughty side of "he knows if you've been naughty or nice"?