*I* in some part of my brain await the arrival of Santa on Christmas Eve, even as I am wrapping up the gifts to put under the tree.

As for me, I think I always understood that that part, at least, was silliness, and I think silliness is probably in general underrated and under-appreciated (at least in the 21st century US) as a child-rearing tool. Saturday my 3 y.o. took a bad tumble (many scratches + big bump on forehead, poor soul) on a (graveled) trail we were walking on in the woods, and of course I scooped him up and held him and soothed him. But just as he got to the point where he was no longer gasping through sobs we were also approaching a creek, so I gently said, “Hmmm. I think I know what I can do that will make you feel better! I think if I throw! you! in! the! creek! [bouncing son on hip and walking toward creek] you! will! feel! much! better! I! think! you! need! to! get! all! wet!” He knew I was kidding (honest). But the thought of landing in the creek, and just enough belief that just maybe I’d do it, was a good distraction at that point and returned us to a happy time out in the woods.

I do concur, though, that an approach appropriate for one kid may not be for another.