I finally busted them after a while but suggestions of punishement?
2006-12-24 01:10:09 · 33 answers · asked by relax_hammock 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
For one--there will NO surprises tonight when it comes time to open gifts!!!
That, and a good talking too, may be enough. Once it comes times to open gifts and he has no surprises, he'll realize that it would've been more fun to wait a few more hours. Just talk to him about how he should not have done it.
I know, I was that kid 32 years ago.......next year, just to be safe--put your daughter's name on all of his gifts.....and vice versa (or something tricky like that so IF he does open any, it'll be girl stuff or something else that is likely to gross him out!!!)
2006-12-24 01:42:56 · answer #1 · answered by kathylouisehall 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I absolutely loved Julez' answer it's freakin' ingenious! Kudos to the mom! I can only suggest that you remind your kids that they were wrong because it shows they can't be trusted. When they are explained how important character is and being trustworthy is then hopefully with reinforcement they will get the point. Now for the real punishment -this is where you got 'em...whatever is their favorite gift -tell them they can't play with it for however long you see fit. (Probably a day but if it continues maybe even a week or warn them that it WILL go back) That most definitely will stop future prying if you follow through. It sounds too hard but you only have a short time to teach your kids self-control before one day they are broke and can't seem to pass a bank without changing their outfit and shouting, "This is a stick-up". Take care of it now!
2006-12-24 09:14:41 · answer #2 · answered by MeHurdu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister and I did the same thing around that age. I'm not sure if my mom knew about it but sister and I agreed not to do that again because the opening at Christmas just wasn't as it should have been. That was our punishment.
2006-12-24 05:09:01 · answer #3 · answered by mosdesertrose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you ought to put all the presents somewhere and come Christmas morning have none of them there. Just say that you cancelled Christmas this year and that the presents are in the car. Tell them that later in the day you are going to bring them to a poor family that need stuff for their kids. ha.....than do it maybe letting them have only 1 of the gifts that were opened. I know it sounds harsh but it is a lesson they will learn well.
I opened all my gifts as a child and rewrapped them. I was never caught. but I must say it is something I never did again as it ruined Christmas for me that year. Maybe that is enough punishment for your child.
2006-12-24 02:03:03 · answer #4 · answered by goldensparkler61 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about making them realize that they stole something from you?
Part of the joy of giving a gift is seeing the recipient's face light up with surprise. They cheated, so no surprise.
The 7 year old also stole something from himself. No surprise for him.
Don't kill Christmas completely. Talk this out beforehand so they know WHY it was wrong. If you're going to impose any actual punishments (grounding, etc) don't lower the boom until the 26th.
2006-12-24 01:15:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
This year I threatened that if they opened or peeked at any gift before Christmas, they would immediately have to donate it to Toys for Tots, in person. It hasn't happened again [although the 9 year old is so clever that he just dug out all of my store receipts and read them. Not too clever, though... last night he mentioned a gift that he "saw me wrapping" that hasn't even made it to our house yet.]
2006-12-24 03:20:06 · answer #6 · answered by LisaFlorida 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i don't know if you read the story about 3 weeks ago,a mother hid presents at her mother's house next door,the boy was caught opening a present and played with it,she sent him to jail for breaking and entering.
That is an extreme case,but I think punishment should be to enlist your children in some kind of community service such as helping out the salvation army,or meals on wheels or something similar to that. Take them to a foster home and let them see what other children have or more exactly don't have.
2006-12-24 01:15:18 · answer #7 · answered by Dfirefox 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Well, since they have already done what they wanted with their gifts, I suggest you give them to some one else. A cousin or any one who would love to open presents on Christmas!
2006-12-24 02:35:06 · answer #8 · answered by beagle1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i say switch out the real presents for empty wrapped boxes ,and when they open them the look on their face will be punishment enough!!! if they still believe in Santa ,just simply say Santa doesn't let children keep their gifts if they have peeked a sneak early,let them think awhile and then give em the gifts. happy holidays!!!
2006-12-24 01:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by ange77@sbcglobal.net 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i agree relax and that is the punishment they will know every present that is for them under the tree which sucks my bros and sister did that one year and like someone else she made us wait all day to open our gifts right after we opened them it was bed time
2006-12-24 14:05:34 · answer #10 · answered by chiefs fan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋