IT’S THAT FUNNY time of year when Halloween is over and finished – woo hoo! So when is it acceptable to put the Christmas decorations up? If it was up to me, I would start at midnight on 31st October, but James says by the time Christmas is here, it feels like we’ve been celebrating for the last six months. So to keep everyone happy, we’ve agreed on the 1st December.
It’s also that scary time of year for parents. I thought BC (Before Children) that all mums and dads had to worry about was making sure they got the requested toys as soon as possible so you wouldn’t risk spending Christmas Eve running around every toy shop in the country trying to find the requested item (on behalf of Santa)! But no. It turns out that actually getting the stuff is the EASY bit. The part we actually have to worry about is that awful time between Halloween and Christmas where the kids can change their minds or add things on. I actually think that kids are pre-programmed before they are born with the art of manipulation. Let’s call it the manipulation chip.
So, what do we do?
Letters to Santa, that’s what! Not only does this start the excitement building of Christmas but is also seals the deal with the big man. From the point of signing your name at the bottom of the list. That’s it! No more changes or add ons. This also works both ways. Jamie had mentioned a few weeks ago that he wanted a windmill! Hopefully he has now forgotten and moved on to something else! Plus we have the added bonus of being able to tell the kids, “Now you have to be good and behave because Santa’s watching you. And if your naughty, he won’t bring any presents.”
“Okay Mummy.”
Win win!
Hmmn, now to pick a day to write the letters – a day where it is pouring rain outside, a day where we can’t go anywhere or do anything and have to stay in the house? But there’s so much to do with so little time.
HA! We’re in 2020 lockdown number two – now with so much time and so little to do! So, Monday morning arrived and we got dressed and ready for the day.
“Mummy?” Asks Jamie.
“Yip?” I reply.
“Can we play Lego and watch Peppa Pig please?”
“No, not just now…”
“Awwwwww!” Lily interrupts, while folding her arms and getting squared up for the first toddler meltdown of the day.
“Listen, we are going to write our letters to Santa this morning!” I said quickly to avert any tantrum from starting!
“Yeeeeeaaaaaah” They both shouted while jumping up and down all excited.
Even the mention of writing the Santa letters actually bought me half-an-hour of getting the dishwasher emptied and filled again, a washing on and getting the house looking like we hadn’t been burgled the night before. Sorted!
Paper and colouring pens out. Move the table away from the wall (as the wall is often more appealing to draw on than the paper!)
“Okay, Lily why don’t you draw Santa a picture there and Jamie, we can start with your list.” I said.
“Okay Mummy!”
“Right Jamie, tell me what you would like Santa to bring?” I asked.
“I would like a toaster, and a blender and a microwave for my kitchen.” Jamie says. “A blue umbrella, a football and some sweets.”
“Great!” I said optimistically. Easy enough – I was thinking. And just as I was about to pass the pen over to Jamie to sign his name..
“Oh! Don’t forget to ask him for a windmill Mummy!”
Fox. Ache.
“Err, right. Are you sure you don’t want something else? What about that Peppa Pig toy you were looking at in the Santa book?” I asked holding my breath!
“No Mummy, I was going to ask you and Daddy for that. Santa can get me a windmill because he can fly!” Jamie says very matter of fact.
Fab. I mean, how do you respond to that!
“Okay, well you will need to be a super, dooper, best boy to get all that.” I said, panicking ever so slightly.
“Yes Mummy!” Jamie says while scribbling his name at the bottom of the page.
“Right Lil, your turn!” I said praying this list was more realistic.
“Mmmm, I would like a bike like Jamie’s but with Peppa Pig on it AND a Peppa Pig toy AND a pink umbrella AND some chocolate sweets please Mummy.” She says without taking a breath.
Thanks to God, normal presents. I thought.
“Oh and a bus as well please Mummy!” Lily throws in for good measure.
“A bus!!! What do you want a bus for?” I asked in the hope I wouldn’t actually get a logical reply that I couldn’t respond too!
“For my Peppa Pig toy Mummy.” Lily replied.
“Aaaah, I see.” I said relieved while passing the pen over to lily to scribble her name at the bottom. By now I was having visions of standing in the street explaining to the neighbours why we have a windmill in the back garden and a double decker bus parked up the driveway!
That evening, after James got home, we were all sat having dinner and the kids were telling Daddy about writing their letters to Santa. I wasn’t sure James was really listening until Jamie mentioned he’d asked Santa for a windmill and Daddy nearly choked on a chip!
“Can I have some ice cream Mummy?” asks Lily.
“No ice cream Lil, you only get some at the weekend as a treat.” I said.
“Aaaaaaawwwww.” Replies Lily, while getting off her seat and heading for James.
“Daddy?” She whispers.
“Yes Lil?” James says.
“Can I have some ice cream please?” She whispers again while fluttering the eyelashes.
James looks up at me and smiles. “Aaaw can she not have some?” He asks me.
Unbelievable! “Err, no she can’t as I said no and you need to stick with me!”
“No Lil, you can have some at the weekend.” James says.
Lily storms off in a huff.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe she did that! She’s only two! She has you wrapped round her little finger as well!” I said to James. “We need to stick together with that because that will only get worse.”
James smiles, saying nothing.
The following morning, the kids were through in the sitting room watching Peppa Pig and getting the Lego out so I could get some work done.
“Guys do you want some juice and an apple?” I shouted through.
Nothing.
“Guys! Hello?”
Still nothing.
I ventured through expecting to find paint on the rug or someone swinging from the lights but they were sitting quietly glued to Peppa…
“Mummy?” Snort, snort, asks Peppa.
“Yes Peppa?” replies Mummy Pig.
“Can we have some sweets and play in the garden please?” Snort, snort, Peppa says.
“No Peppa, you can play outside in the garden but no sweets today.” Snort, snort, replies Mummy Pig.
“Aaaaaaaaww.” Says Peppa.
Peppa walks into the kitchen and over to Daddy Pig.
“Daddy? Can I have some sweets and go and play in the garden please?” Snort, snort, asks Peppa.
“I don’t see why not Peppa!” Replies Daddy Pig.
Fox. Ache!
So there you have it! It’s not that they are programmed before birth on the art of manipulation like I thought, there is no manipulation chip, we just have to ban them from watching that naughty little porker on the telly!
