Tis the Season to be Nice

Christmases past have been a learning curve for all of us. It has taken 3 years and I finally think Toby has grasped the concept that there is something beyond the wrapping paper, that the guy in the big red suit is worth not being afraid of, and that the baby’s name is NOT, in fact, Jay-Zee. (Some lessons more crucial than others when visiting the Catholic in laws…)

But this year, above all others, Toby has fixated on the differentiation between Naughty and Nice and the important ROLE this plays in the receiving of Christmas gifts. It’s a clever trick to play on kids, getting them to be well behaved on the threat of being passed up on Christmas Eve, but I take no credit for it; the kid announced this notion to us out of the blue last week and we have no idea where he was taught it.

Well…not NO idea, I suppose. He does attend daycare everyday and comes home with all sort of interesting and sometimes misinterpreted tidbits. I suspect that someone, sometime over the past few weeks, CASUALLY mentioned the fact that they were all under observation for good behaviour by Mr. Claus and Toby took it very seriously to heart.

Not only is he on his VERY BEST behaviour these days, but also he is quick to comment on the naughty behaviours he observes in his peers (with a sad shake of his head).

Anthony, for example, failed to keep his hands on his own body today at lunchtime, but Toby reassured us that he “put them back on his own!” after having this pointed out to him by our loud-mouth-Christmas-reminder.

The other problem with his sudden insight into this is his very endearing and earnest concern for his little sister’s behaviour. Mia, unlikely Toby, is going through a bit of a naughty phase right now. I mean, who can blame the girl? She has JUST gained independence and we go and stick a tantalizing tree complete with colourful lights, balls and toys on strings at varying distances from her reach. She now knows enough to shake her head from side to side (WILLING herself not to touch) as she approaches the tree with outstretched arms but that's as far as we've gotten. The girl is PERSISTENT.

Her insistence NOT to learn the rule around tree touching reached a peak yesterday; I arrived home to find a giggling Mia in a heap on the grey chair with (a very frustrated) Rob holding her down in place while looking in the opposite direction.

What on EARTH are you doing? I asked him.

“I’m giving her a TIME OUT” emerged the gruff voice from he peals of 11-month-old laughter.

“OH…” I replied, “How’s THAT working for you?”

It appears Rob and I have lost our touch. We have mastered the art of 3-year-old manipulation discipline but when it comes to stubborn, excessively mobile 11 month olds we are stumped.

We are all hoping to wake up Christmas morning to find the Christmas tree still standing with lots of well deserved presents for Toby underneath it…and hopefully a little something for Mia as well. Fingers crossed!!!