Santa Claus is Coming!
Here he comes!
What is the harm of children choosing to be good to get gifts or the promise of a good holiday? Well, some may contend parents are bribing their children to the point where their behavior is only conditional on the promise of goodies. I can see this sentiment. We have a small grandson who lives with us. He is a good enough boy but he is 6 1/2. When we go to the store he expects a gift every time because he was "good." and even asks now if he can get something if he is good.
This concept is slightly misguided. To be good should be their obligation, not the result of being awarded for their behavior. However, that being said, what is wrong with using the ol' Santa Claus promise in order to get a little extra good behavior our of your little ones? A time of year when gift giving is kind of expected should give children more incentive to be good.
Entitlement and "what's in it for me" attitude is not a good thing but maybe if parents (and grandparents) were to use the "Be good or Santa won't bring you presents" all year long it may work better. That way children would not expect to get gifts every time you went to the store or out in public, but they would be able to reap the rewards of being a good little boy or girl for the whole year.
The Christmas "spirit" makes many feel happier, look better, breathe easier, and treat others just a little nicer. What is wrong with that? I believe that this behavior would make us all just a little easier to get along with, me included. I can be a bear! But I am more forgiving at the holidays. If I could carry that holiday feeling of forgiveness with me every day of the year maybe then others would feel my cheer and pass it on.
So, I think that the promise of a Santa Claus is not a bad idea. Children are full of wonder and life and it is a good idea to assist them with every bit of that as long as it can last. The day when children stop believing in Santa Claus is the day when they will not show the same respect to their peers or their superiors. They will begin to go down hill unless the "better not pout" concept is indelible in their very behavior, and not just limited to a single time of the year. Teach your children well and you will have adults that will be ready to run their lives, their companies, or even the country with common sense and compassion for the masses instead of looking out for what they can personally gain.
So, Merry Christmas, Santa Claus is coming to your home in a few days. Celebrate the concept of being good every single day with your family, your children, your peers and your customers, whomever they may be. It is not bad to be good.
