I had to pull out the big guns last night.

[mom2rb]

I teach gymnastics. Yesterday I had a group of 5 & 6 year olds. They are very talented and I have them for two hours at a time. It is almost Christmas, they are very excited, and they are having a hard time listening.

I was at my wit's end so I told them that every year, the Sunday before Christmas, Santa calls all the gymnastics teachers and asks us if our kids are listening and working hard.

So if you work with kids, have you tried this too?

 

[Mrs.Toad]

That's hysterical!


I've played the Santa card with my own kids, but not in groups, because I've always had kids in my groups who don't celebrate Christmas.

 

[StregaNona]

I pulled a similar Santa card with my friend's granddaughter the other day . It's that time of the year!

 

[mom2rb]

That's hysterical!


I've played the Santa card with my own kids, but not in groups, because I've always had kids in my groups who don't celebrate Christmas.

All the girls in this group celebrate Christmas. I do have some other groups that have kids that don't. I don't know what I will use with them.

 

[missypie]

You sound like a very nice gymnastics teacher. When DD was in gymnastics, her coach would have had them doing an hour of rope climbs or 100 pushups under similar circumstances.

(Once a bunch of them skipped gymnastics on Halloween to trick or treat. The next day the coach made them do conditioning the whole three hours. All the little girls were in tears.)

 

[Pumbaa_]

Sorry, I don't think that is funny at all nor your place to play that card, that is the parent's peragotive.

If they are too excited to pay attention, let them work off some of that running or other activity. Better option than blackmailing 5 & 6 yo

 

[mom2rb]

You sound like a very nice gymnastics teacher. When DD was in gymnastics, her coach would have had them doing an hour of rope climbs or 100 pushups under similar circumstances.

(Once a bunch of them skipped gymnastics on Halloween to trick or treat. The next day the coach made them do conditioning the whole three hours. All the little girls were in tears.)

I remember reading about that. It made me so angry, I hate that there are so many jerks in my profession. I give my girls Halloween off. I teach team and my girls do very well. I don't need to be that way.

 

[cherjp]

I think thats a great idea I am a childminder and when the children I looked after where quite small and overexcited I used to tell them that the Robin Redbreast that was in the garden was watching to see if they were behaving themselves as he was Santas helper and was just checking all the little children on Santas good list , it was so magical to see their little faces !

 

[pigletgirl]

Sorry, I don't think that is funny at all nor your place to play that card, that is the parent's peragotive.

If they are too excited to pay attention, let them work off some of that running or other activity. Better option than blackmailing 5 & 6 yo

Bah Humbug!
Umm, have you ever worked with a bunch of 5&6 yr olds?
Sometimes you have to do whatever it takes for them to listen....

Having that said...
I think its great!
Whatever it takes to get through the 2 hours!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I agree that I don't think it was your place to do that. If you as the teacher couldn't get control of the class I would rather that you sent the girls out of class early since they were misbehaving. I as a parent would be annoyed that you said that. It is simply not your place.

 

[sneadae]

I agree that I don't think it was your place to do that. If you as the teacher couldn't get control of the class I would rather that you sent the girls out of class early since they were misbehaving. I as a parent would be annoyed that you said that. It is simply not your place.

Oh good grief. Is this what the world is coming to?

OP, I know exactly what you mean and I think it's great that you have a personality and interact with the kids on an age appropriate level. I teach dance and we've done this too. "Kids! I think I might see Santa peeking in the window! We better use our listening ears and be on our best behavior!"

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Oh good grief. Is this what the world is coming to?

OP, I know exactly what you mean and I think it's great that you have a personality and interact with the kids on an age appropriate level. I teach dance and we've done this too. "Kids! I think I might see Santa peeking in the window! We better use our listening ears and be on our best behavior!"

That is a little different than saying that the teacher is giving Santa a report. Sorry but that is over the line. If the kids are bonkers and it isn't Christmas time what would the teacher do then?

 

[ols386]

oh good grief. Is this what the world is coming to?

Op, i know exactly what you mean and i think it's great that you have a personality and interact with the kids on an age appropriate level. I teach dance and we've done this too. "kids! I think i might see santa peeking in the window! We better use our listening ears and be on our best behavior!"

ita!!

 

[jrmasm]

I teach gymnastics. Yesterday I had a group of 5 & 6 year olds. They are very talented and I have them for two hours at a time. It is almost Christmas, they are very excited, and they are having a hard time listening.

I was at my wit's end so I told them that every year, the Sunday before Christmas, Santa calls all the gymnastics teachers and asks us if our kids are listening and working hard.

So if you work with kids, have you tried this too?

I don't work with kids but I have a 5 year old that is driving me up the wall. I say good for you!!

But do you have class next week???

 

[merryweather20]

Wow! I can't beleive anyone thought that "crossed a line"

I used to baby-sit and if the kids were complaining I used to tell them that when I was their age I had to walk to school, barefoot, and it was uphill both ways.

I was making them breakfast one morning morning and the 6 year-old pipes up and says, "Wait a minute you went to the same school we do its not uphill both ways!"

Their Dad was laughing so hard its a wonder he got out the door to work.. I'm glad I didn't have one of the other types of parents.

 

[daisax]

I'm kind of surprised that 5 and 6 year olds are expected to pay attention for 2 hours at a time, especially outside of school hours.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

She's the gymnastics teacher. Not a family member or nanny that is with the kids and family all the time. I think threatening the kids with Santa is wrong. If you don't then good for you. I have a great sense of humor and have no problem with teachers disciplining but I don't think it was her place to say she was giving a report on the kids to Santa. I know many parents who would agree.

 

[emma'smom]

Seriously? I used to teach second grade and told the kids that I had Santa on speed dial! When they got too rowdy I'd pick up the phone and say "Just one push of a button.....should I make that call?" They would all laugh and say "noooo" and then quiet down. It's all in good fun! (and yes....everyone in that class celebrated Christmas).

Sorry, I don't think that is funny at all nor your place to play that card, that is the parent's peragotive.

If they are too excited to pay attention, let them work off some of that running or other activity. Better option than blackmailing 5 & 6 yo

 

[merryweather20]

She's the gymnastics teacher. Not a family member or nanny that is with the kids and family all the time. I think threatening the kids with Santa is wrong. If you don't then good for you. I have a great sense of humor and have no problem with teachers disciplining but I don't think it was her place to say she was giving a report on the kids to Santa. I know many parents who would agree.

Oops!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

To each their own. I do not agree with it and it isn't in good fun imo.
What do teachers do when it is not Christmas season and the kids get rowdy?