I have 7 and a 5 year old boys. They did go see Santa and told Santa they wanted 4 wheelers and a transforming go-cart. Santa has decided to bring something else. Should I drop hints ahead of time, or just address it on Christmas morning. Also what should I tell them?
Thank you for the great ideas!! Well with the activities of Christmas Eve night, I forgot to talk to them, so I worried all night. They came in the next morning and saw what Santa brought and said WOW ... My 7 year old asked my 5 year old "Did you order this?" They were happy. My oldest did ask my husband later about his four wheeler, but it was only breifly, because they have like what they recieved. I hope your Christmas was as GREAT as ours.
FYI, I am not against go-carts ... we have a double seater. Santa brought is when my oldest was 5. We have the land and are able to control the speed. Also they have helmets and seatbelts. We just believe it is enough. We don't need a 4 wheeler or a different go-cart. I guess I should have explained it more.
I have always let my kids know what they may not always get what they ask for but Santa loves to hear what kind of things they like so he can get ideas. I tell them that Santa will always pick out something he knows they will enjoy either way. It has worked every year. My daughter never has gotten that pony she keeps asking for every year...LOL
My mom would tell me Santa brings what is best for you and what was meant to be yours.
I always asked for a bunny( a live one), and Santa would leave me a letter saying that he looked far and away for a bunny just for me, but he couldn't find the right one, but if I was patient, the right bunny would come along someday. In it's place, he'd leave me a stuffed one to keep me company until the real one came. :-)
Just leave them letters from Santa explaining something short and sweet. They can't argue with Santa! ;)
I think you should bring up the fact that parents have a one-time per year direct line to Santa, and that you expressed concern over the safety factor of their desired items and that Santa assured you he would give them something cool and little less worrisome for their dear mother:)
We do a combo of what the other ladies have said. I tell them that I email Santa and let him know what is allowed. I also let them know that Santa has a price limit since he has so many kids to get for :) I've warned my kids that they may not get everything they ask for, but haven't been specific. On Christmas we definitely don't say anything unless they mention it. I've found in the past that they are so excited about what they get that they forget what they didn't get (or at least until later).
On another note, my SIL told her kids that the parent "supplement" Santa, that is why some kids get more than others. I think that goes well with the mom "veto" power over what they get!!
Good luck!
The best thing you should tell you children is Santa is the Sprirt of love. Some times you let them know what they want, is not what Santa my think is best for them..
I tell mine that Santa and I talk. And together we decide what is best as well as what they will like. I would say it before hand... But since you are probably getting this late, after the unwrapping is done it couldn't hurt to say it and add what wonderful things they got and how lucky they are and how thankful they should be...
Studies in brain development show that kids don't reach a stage of being able to predict future outcomes of actions until after AGE 10. After studying child development in nursing school, MY MOM did NOT let us ride bikes in the streets until after age 10. She told us that we wouldn't be able to predict that a car might make a right turn in front of us and run into us. I vividly remember the Christmas that I turned 10 years old. I got a real bicycle that could be ridden in the road! I found it sitting outside on our porch for me to discover after all other presents were long unwrapped. A long, white whisker was caught in the top screw of the handlebars! (Dad must have pulled it from the tail of a white horse - but I never did find out!)
I would tell my kids (now teenagers) that sometimes Santa brings what we ask for, sometimes he brings stuff we didn't think of and sometimes he doesn't bring us stuff so we can get it for our birthday. Hope that helps.
My BFF is in a similar situation with her son asking for a go-cart. However, her son won't have a "legal" place to ride it (can't ride in town and they don't know anyone with land near us), so she and I came up with telling her son that Santa knows it's illegal to ride them in our town and Santa can't give a gift that could cause him to get into trouble with the cops.
And yes, she is telling him ahead of time.
Hope this helps!
I agree with the post about telling your kids that you get a direct line to santa because you are their mother and that santa heard what they asked for and to have you worry less, santa told you that he will send them toys that you will worry less about. Great Post!
very dangerous-- Santa doesn't give toys/bikes that may hurt...
Whatever you do, don't lie to them. They'll appreciate your honesty later in life and know they can always count on the words that leave their Mom's mouth to be truthful.
Hi C.,
Well, it's already Christmas as I see this, but I can tell you what we did when our kids were younger. We just told them that Santa consulted with parents to make sure the parents approved of the gifts he brings. Some parents might not think certain presents (three-wheelers, go-carts, etc., are safe) or others might not be appropriate for their family. Our kids seemed to buy this. (It also helps when other kids get things your family cannot afford or you disapprove of.)
Hope this helps! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
C.,
Let the boys see what Santa left, then have a discussion with them if necessary. I trust that they will like the other items Santa chose to leave them, since you and Santa are probably pretty close on the boys' desires. They may not be too disappointed with their gifts.
It's never too early to learn that you don't always get what you want, even from the Big Guy. You can perhaps let them know that Santa thought that they were a bit too young to have these motorized vehicles. If you don't mind them eventually having these, let them know that when they are 10 years old, or when they keep their room clean, or whatever, then maybe Santa will know that they are ready. That way, you have a way to help guide them.
Best of luck.
