Adam@Home by Rob Harrell for December 14, 2024

let’s talk about “blackmailing” kids ….

Clayton, do your own room, get the points from Santa for yourself.

I doubt that Santa condones hypocrisy.

She’s all about low-effort appearances, not actual work, Clayton

Clayton has some counteracting to do also.

It’s like watching CALVIN AND HOBBES. He was always trying to make up for his year of terror with last second good deeds as Christmas neared, acts of kindness of which he always complained about having to do.

I know – it’s just a comic. But this stuff all makes me feel sad. It’s natural for parents to want their children to be well-behaved and helpful, if not all year, at least in December, a particularly stressful month. But I think there’s harm in the idea of Santa watching children to see if they’re being good and distributing toys accordingly. It tends to make children think they “deserve” what they get instead of being grateful. It can make them look down on children who get less as though they are less worthy. It can make them less generous, more judgemental in giving themselves. It can fill them with anxiety instead of excitement. It can make them resentful if they don’t get what they wanted or if someone (let’s say Clayton) gets just as much without having put in the effort. All this can carry over into unhealthy adult attitudes. And I really do think it misrepresents Santa as bringing rewards rather than the gifts of a generous spirit.

I don’t know what can be done as this concept seems to be everywhere now. But parents shouldn’t encourage it.

Yuck, you would want your sister in your room?

Clean your own room, Clayton. Katy is learning how to do an oil change.

That is funny…really!

There’s not enough time before Christmas.

but then, of course, on the 26th, (or even the afternoon of the 25th!), it all goes back to normal! Lol!

The temptations there would be just too great!

Katy would get a merit for cleaning Clayton’s room. Clayton would get a demerit for manipulating her.