I actually tried something last night...something I'm pretty sure I never even tried when my kids were little. I hope I didn't, anyway. You see, the little guy's room was a disaster. Disgusting, really. Stuff everywhere, seemingly half of our dishes strewn about his surfaces, and the place just had a smell. A bad one. So, after many nice reminders to clean it up, I pulled out the big guns.
Me: "Santa Claus is watching you. You better clean that room."
Little guy: "Let him watch me."
That's what happens when your kid is fifteen, they're no longer a believer, and they're a smart aleck.
Me: "Watch
me not give you any of your presents tomorrow."
Little guy: "OK, gee, mom."
That's what happens when your kid is fifteen, they believe your threat, and they give up being a smart aleck for just a moment.
Score?
Mom: 1...I got my way.
Kid: 1...He got to have presents (and a clean room).
Santa: 0...Sorry big guy, can't even give you points for trying.
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