enjoying Christmas with children

I’m trying to feel quite positive today, I’m trying to be really optimistic.

This is the last working week of the year for me; I’m breaking up good and early ready for a much needed Christmas break. All the Christmas decorations are up and so the mood is very much shifting towards a bit of fun – or trying too any way.

As usual though, I’ve wound up feeling like I’m trying to force fun on to my children. They are determined to test out Santa at every turn. Am I the only parent out there who is tempted to let them learn the hard way that Santa really doesn’t bring naughty children any presents? Could I get away with that? On Christmas day could I sit there and open a present from my wife while my two boys sit there looking at empty stockings?

It’s tempting though, how many warnings can you give? How many threats of being watched at all times can you use before having to actually go through with it? I’ve done it all over the years, false telephone calls during a massive fight between them where I simply answer “Oh hello Santa...” the noise drops...”No Santa, to be honest they aren’t being very good at all” tears flood out and children gang up together to argue with me instead of each other. I suppose I should be happy that they at least join forces to look after each other in that way.

How much of this can you do though? Surely at some point you have to go through with the threat don’t you? My boys are so determined to either prove that Santa doesn’t exist or that even if he does he certainly can’t see you when you are being good or bad that all the spare time they have is spent making a fuss.

This is why I’m trying to be positive. I’m trying to look forward to spending this time with them. I want to have fun; I want to have some real quality time with them because I have some time to do that with. I don’t want to waste the time and wake up in a few years thinking that I missed their childhood.

However my two little monkeys are determined to make this time as difficult as possible. The excitement and confusion of the time just seems to wind them up beyond what they can cope with bless them.

Of course I won’t go through with it. On Christmas morning all will be well and their little faces will yet again make up for all this woe as they bounce up and down on me at five in the morning asking if he has been yet?

Sorry for the Monday morning rant, it’s been a tough weekend trying to have fun with my children but spending the whole time fighting with them instead and I’m not feeling very funny.