When do you start to tell children "Santa is watching"?

[purplepoppy]

Your child's being a little shit as usual. Normally as a punishment, you'd throw a cherished soft toy to the dog and make them watch as it's ripped apart. Perhaps you'd send them to bed telling them if they open their eyes the monster will suck out their eyeballs or the classic make them stand in the garden until the boogy man comes to collect them.

But with Christmas around the corner, it's time to squash non-conformance with "Santa's watching." No kid wants to be on Santa's naughty look list, but when do you start using that threat?

[ObscuredBeyond]

I never told any of my nephews or nieces that. I did once tell a nephew that he deserved a visit from Krampus instead.

I even went so far as to buy him a replica of the Krampus ornament from the 2015 movie, but my sister said I should keep it, because it creeped her out. Instead, he got a book of Sudoku puzzles that year. That was his punishment.

I usually get them doomsday prepper and camping gear.

[Psychotic_Buddhist]

I was told at 5 that Santa exist and almost immediately deducted he actually didn't, and that parents aren't as clever as they think they are, then again I was mature for my age and quite intelligent to boot so I don't know what they expected.

[purplepoppy]

The real smart kids don't tell their parents they don't believe in case they don't get presents

[Psychotic_Buddhist]

Also wasn't really a needy or spoiled child I didn't care about presents, and when I turned 12 and started learning about philosophy found holidays in general meaningless

[dustybiker]

Never liked to turn a good thing into a damaged thing. Christmas is magical when a child is young. If they are old enough to be brainwashed they are already questioning the existence of father Christmas anyway.

[wittymilf]

When they make loud sexy time in The bedroom next door.

[Andres77]

we did this for about three years in a row to get the girls to behave. it works for about a week. still fun and the thrill in their eyes is priceless. there are some that allow u to get very detailed and kinda mean (harsh) if the kids are being extra jerks. im almost had one that was gonna leave a lump of coal message. fun parenting.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LvNGafVVBog

[Fuentes]

Just give them a piece of coal and say Santa sent it because he saw your bad behaviour and this is your warning that if you keep it up. He will send you nothing but coal for Christmas because he's always watching.

[XXblack88]

@Fuentes that's funny did you make that up?

[Fuentes]

@XXblack88 yes I did lol

[purplepoppy]

This winter coals probably the most sought after gift

[AviatorTom]

I used to start that the day after Christmas, when Santa was fresh in their minds. They knew they had to avoid the "naughty list" for the next year.

[ZXCwWRQWz]

I find no need for it as I am watching. If you think you aren't seen, just wait till you aren't.

[Chazmatazz269]

If you’re a ducking psycho, anytime is good.
If you’re NOT a fucking psycho, never.
Let me know if i’m being too ambiguous.

[ChillaxingLove]

To be honest I’m against lying to the child because then when they come to lie to you they have a defense for lying

[KrakenAttackin]

When my daughter was very little I told her I "was in the Navy with Santa" and that I had his number in my phone... instant compliance when I reached for my phone.

[exitseven]

Right after Labor Day, as soon as the stores start putting up the Christmas displays.

[Motheman]

All year round. And i call them as santa and say whether they are on the good list or bad list

[Marklaw12]

I stop when they are 12. They figure it out at 10.


I figured it out as early as 6. The tooth fairy, santa,

[Walrus_au]

I won't. Ever. When the child grapples with the cultural mythology I will encourage them too look into it.

[Havthrills]

I thought pumpkin head was the one in the garden. The boogie man just lives in the shadows.

[Anonymous]

If your child is misbehaving it definitely has something to do with the parental method you are using.

[Ryfyle]

Tell him that the Santa outsourced that shit to Google, Santa's watching year round, and they will always be on the naughty list due to the Algorithm. Tell them they won't get coal, just black bagged by the CIA and sent to GITMO.

[captain_voidwalker]

Dude you don't get kids to behave with those tactics you just need to beat the little shits. Preferably with something hard and durable like a baseball bat or hockey stick.

[humanearth]

You start the brainwashing lies as soon as they are born

[Debbie14217]

about age 2... they start to realize they need to be good kids

[Bethany22]

12 days before Christmas seems fair enough

[_Just_A_girl_]

Santa is Satan with letters moved around

[purplepoppy]

Yeah, Satan's getting sick of all the requests for Barbies

[DJB72]

Boxing Day. Seriously.

[SnowedIn]

November...

[SnowedIn]

But, we haven't had to resort to that in years. When the kids get out of line we threaten to disconnect the xBox from the WiFi. If that doesn't work, I show them the app on my phone that turns their phones off. Behavior generally improves swiftly. :)

[ArtemisSilver]

Usually before mentioning Krampus

[tfan1]

I start in November

[BJP21]

Right after Thanksgiving.

[lpoots]

did not lie to the son

[nevermind53]

There is not santa he dirsek many many years ago

[MadClown]

No, I won't.