I had to pull out the big guns last night.

[Subrbnmommy]

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.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Particularly this time of year when they are tired.

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.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Oops!

 

[moon]

Oh my goodness! I think that's hilarious!

Thanks for the laugh!

 

[merryweather20]

We're discussing neither of those things. We're discussing bland innocuous statements.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I thought this would be a thread about ways we've used the Santa card. I am just amazed that anyone is disturbed by what the OP did--seems totally normal to me. I just have a one-year-old and an almost-four-year-old, and I'm not too focused on Santa with them yet, but I know when I was growing up, all adults had a hot-line to Santa, and we kids were not so fragile that we couldn't handle it. And it's not like OP shouted, "That's it--I'm talking to Santa and you're all getting coal!"

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We're discussing neither of those things. We're discussing bland innocuous statements.

The point I was making was that I don't have a problem with the teacher trying to get the kids to behave. I don't agree with her methods.

 

[Desnik]

OP, I think it's funny and I have played the Santa card with my own kids many times. BTW, it always works!

I think if anyone has a problem with what the OP said, and you have expressed it here already there is no need to keep going on and on about it. If what she said bothers you than don't read this thread anymore.

 

[merryweather20]

The point I was making was that I don't have a problem with the teacher trying to get the kids to behave. I don't agree with her methods.

They are the sort of bland innocuous methods they might hear of on a Christian radio station or toddlers television programming.

There was a thread a couple of weeks ago where the teacher was worried about offending the parents by discussing shoes with the class, now I know why.

 

[MM27]

What do teachers do when it is not Christmas season and the kids get rowdy?

Then you use the Easter Bunny

 

[moon]

Then you use the Easter Bunny

It is OK to use The Great Pumpkin as soon as school starts?

 

[Minnesota!]

For real? Seems like a lot of people 'round here need to have a stick removed.

Good for you, OP. I have used it on kids (OTHER THAN MY OWN!!!!!!), my son's teacher uses it with them, and my BFF (elem teacher) uses it as well.

I cannot believe people would be upset about this.

Good gravy. What is the world coming to?

 

[emma'smom]

It is OK to use The Great Pumpkin as soon as school starts?

No....it's really better to wait until October to invoke the Great Pumpkin. The kids just aren't thinking about the big GP until September is over. Best to fall back on the tooth fairy for a few weeks.

 

[AshleyW]

My elementary school teachers and soccer coaches used that on me when I was little. And you know what.. it got me to settle down ASAP. As long as all the kids celebrate Christmas, I say - no harm, no foul.

 

[Topper]

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.

I think you are wrong, but YMMV, IMHO.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

To me, If it worked, then great! I know when I was younger, Teachers, parents, other family members, anyone you came in contact with almost used the Santa card, or like someone else mentioned, had Santa on speed dial and would be able to call him at the touch of a button. I do not have kids, but I used to use it on kids I babysat for when I was younger, I've used it on my younger brother, never caused any harm.

I think nowadays we are so worried about what to say and how to say it and what to do and how to do it, that it takes away from the human aspect of things. we are becoming robots. I say, if you've got the Santa card to use, use it...just don't abuse it, otherwise the kids will start to see through it like a recently washed window.

 

[ReneeA]

I thought everyone used Santa from Nov 1st on! I know I do (although it's probably the last year it'll work for DS8)

I just had a patient yesterday with a long white beard tell me that his wife tells little ones misbehaving in stores that he's Santa and the better watch it.

 

[Binnie]

I encourage my daughter's pre-K and gymnastics teachers to pull that card on DD4. In fact, I warn her that each of us gets to file a report with Santa, and I leverage her with that until Christmas Eve!

Yes, it's blackmail, but it works!

 

[moon]

No....it's really better to wait until October to invoke the Great Pumpkin. The kids just aren't thinking about the big GP until September is over. Best to fall back on the tooth fairy for a few weeks.

Good thinking. That pretty much covers the school year!

 

[Freyja]

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?

Well I don´t work with this young kids but I have 5 kids myself and believe me I have found myself using this throughout December, lol.

Can´t believe some people feel you crossed a line

 

[portocall]

In my world it takes a village to raise a child and it wouldn't bother me in the least, provided my children aren't told that they are getting coal and no present (that is my job to decide that). My mother used to tell me about the year that my aunt got coal for being such a naughty girl and how upset she was. When I asked my aunt about it, she started crying and telling me how horrible it was. Only this year (I am 35) did she admit that she never ever got coal. My grandmother was extremely ammused. I have three boys and work with a bunch of 7/8 year olds and the few weeks leading up to Christmas are the worst of the year, IMHO.