I vowed I would never do it. And now I fear that since I did, all my other "I'll never do or say that ever" are going to creep up behind me like that weird old lady at church.
Let me back up for a minute and tell you all that my daughter LOVES Santa Claus. Yes. She is 2 years old and LOVES HIM. At this past Christmas, she was obsessed with that claymation Rudolph movie (thank god because her other choice was the lovely BRATZ dvd my mother-in-law thought was "cute"...) and there he was. SANTA.
"ANTA ANTA ANTA" she would say. Over and over and over.
And it didn't end at Christmas. Even when we got home in January, she would ask about him. Hell. I lucked out and bought her all kinds of Santa gear for $1 thanks to the lovely post-holiday sales. She was in heaven. And I was in Santa hell.
Even better, when St. Patty's rolled around, she thought all the leprechauns were... you guessed it... SANTA. Hilarious.
And so, when she decided to sass me all day today, I whipped it out showing the world what a great mother I am. "You need to clean up right now or I will tell Santa."
She gasped. It was painful. And then she picked up her toys like a crazed rabbit.
What's sad is that I didn't really need to use it. She's really awesome and so helpful, but I was SOOOOO tired and I just couldn't count or remind her ONE MORE TIME. And so I said it. And then I felt awful.
I was hoping she had forgotten it but then when daddy came home, she said "Santa coming." He looked at me and I just shrugged my shoulders.
Hey. At least the room was clean.
I am impressed you made it to Quinn being two before you did that. Don't feel bad, we all do it. In fact enjoy it, because it only works for a short amount of time. Plus it is August....we're getting close to Christmas.
Posted by: Melissa | August 16, 2006 at 06:10 PM
Hey, you gotta use what works. My guy still believes completely and utterly in Santa at seven, and I will totally use it if I must.
Posted by: Janeen | August 16, 2006 at 03:42 PM
at my house we just use the no fruit snack threat....i haven't even thought of using santa to help my son behave! the possibilities are endless!
Posted by: Nikki | August 16, 2006 at 01:10 PM
I think that is a great bargaining chip for parents. My parents used it on me and I was not scarred for life, well not from that anyway!
Posted by: sunShine | August 16, 2006 at 11:11 AM
I'm trying to hard not to laugh because then Tacy will ask what's funny and I don't want to blow this fabulous bargaining tool you've just given me.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | August 16, 2006 at 10:01 AM
LOL. I've called Santa on my cell before. "Oh, HI, Santa! Yes, Julia's not being a very nice girl. Okay, I'll tell her you're taking her off of your list if she doesn't smarten up...okay, bye bye, Santa!"
Posted by: mamatulip | August 16, 2006 at 09:11 AM