BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Dad Reveals Hack to Convince Kids Santa Is Always Watching Them

But many are split on whether the household trick makes parents evil, geniuses or evil geniuses.
save article
profile picture of Stephanie Grassullo
By Stephanie Grassullo, Contributing Writer
Published November 26, 2018
parents pretending their alarm system is santa watching

It’s the oldest trick in the book. Your kid is having one of those days and you can’t quite catch a break. You’ve tried everything from taking away tablet time, withholding TV privileges and a 10-minute timeout, but nothing is getting the job done. That’s when you turn to every parent’s favorite helper when it comes to discipline: Santa Claus.

Parents have been pulling out the “Santa is watching!” line for centuries, but today’s moms and dads are getting pretty creative with their storylines. Matt Coyne, of the popular blog Man vs Baby, took to Facebook to share how he tricks his kids into thinking the man in red has eyes on them at all times. Using the smoke alarm, he convinced his kids it’s a household surveillance camera monitoring their behavior 24/7.

And it turns out, he’s not alone.

“I posted something a couple of days [ago] about whether or not it was too early to threaten your kids with the whole ‘Santa’s watching’ thing. I don’t know why I was so concerned; it turns out some of you have been using judgey Santa as [a] bad cop since about July,” he says. “Hundreds of you had the same tip: Pretending that the alarm sensors or the smoke alarms in your house are some sort of Santa CCTV through which he is watching all the time.”

He even shared the tip he received from a fellow parent on how she takes the charades one step further.

“I particularly liked one mum, though, who takes all this to the next level. When her little [ones] are really kicking off, she holds some burnt toast underneath the smoke alarm. When it goes off she tells them that Santa’s just called a ‘code red’ and they’re in proper deep sh*t.”

Parents were split on whether the trick makes parents evil, geniuses or evil geniuses. While some some support the holiday hack, others see it as a potentially dangerous practice.

“Worst idea ever. It’s a fire alarm—don’t confuse it for anything else. Could save your children’s lives. If it goes off, teach your children to get out the house, not to worry Santa is watching,” one parent suggests.

“I’ll be sure to remember these if I ever feel the need to psychologically torture my kid,” another comment reads.

“I hate the idea of children feeling they are being watched in their own homes, the one place where they should feel safe and secure. Why is Santa and his helper elves being turned into bogeymen. Christmas is about joy and excitement, not fear and distrust,” another mom says.

If you are in support of the “Santa is watching” trick, other parents suggest using free Santa cam apps or looking for dollar store “Santa Cams” instead of using smoke detectors.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of getting kids everything and anything they want for the holidays. But here are some tricks on how to avoid raising spoiled kids and help them remember the reason for the season.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

toddler girl choosing clothes from closet
This Viral Bedtime Routine Helps Prevent Morning Wardrobe Meltdowns
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and toddler daughter sitting on the couch reading a book together at home
How to Tell if Your Toddler Is Smart
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
father talking to toddler daughter while playing at home
Early Childhood Parenting Style Could Influence ADHD Severity in Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler painting on bathroom door
Toddler Discipline: Why Toddlers Act Out—and What You Can Do About It
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
By Jenna McCarthy
baby sucking thumb while sitting in stroller outside
Why Babies Suck Their Thumbs—and When to Curb the Habit
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
toddler girl knocking behind glass back door
How to Deal With Your Child’s Separation Anxiety
By Rachel Morris
ADVERTISEMENT
father holding baby's hands while walking
These Are the 13 Best States for Babies to Get a Strong Start
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler sitting on couch and having a temper tantrum
Toddler Tantrums: Why They Happen and How to Cope
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
close up of baby's eyes
Signs of an Overstimulated Baby (and How to Calm Their System)
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
toddlers playing side by side
The Different Stages of Play and How They Help Kids Learn
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
millennial mother talking to toddler at home
73 Percent of Millennial Moms Share This Parenting Style
By Wyndi Kappes
baby playing alone with toys on the floor
Why Is Solitary Play Important for Babies and Toddlers?
By Lisa Milbrand
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler touching head in pain
Is Head Banging in Babies and Toddlers Normal?
By Cindy Hovington, PhD
baby lying on pink blanket with tongue out
Pediatrician Goes Viral After Sharing These "Secret" Baby Milestones
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler hugging smiling mom
10 Ways Toddlers Say ‘I Love You’—Without Actually Saying ‘I Love You’
By Lauren Barth
baby with two smiling moms reaching for pet dog
5 Research-Backed Ways Dogs Can Benefit Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
entrance of chuck e cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese Snubs Black Child in Latest Incident of Mascot Racism
By Wyndi Kappes
three proud and confident children smiling outside
How to Raise a Confident Kid
By Nehal Aggarwal
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.