Elf on the Shelf

-
Thank God we didn't have the stupid Elf on the Shelf deal when our kids were little.

My beautiful wife would've had a question for me every single day:

"Where the hell is the elf?"

We are on an eternal Easter Egg hunt around here on most every day between Kathy and Sam...

...they lose everything!

"Have you seen my phone?"

"Did you move the dog medicine?"

"Where are my car keys?"

So...I thought about just writing about the Elf on the Shelf and what it might be doing to the psyche of kids who are afraid that a stuffed toy is working as a spy and torturing them on a daily basis.

But then I saw something else:

A meme that said:

"When I was a kid I didn't need an elf on the shelf to motivate me to behave during Christmas time. I had a belt on the shelf that motivated me to behave the whole year through!"

Naturally I had to go to the comment section to read such gems of wisdom as this:

"My parents believed in whacking me with a belt to get in line and I turned out fine! My kids know when they're in trouble by the welts I leave on their asses! They don't need an elf!"

Really?

I just don't get it!

We know enough about human behavior to understand that hitting someone doesn't actually help them!

That's fear you are getting back...not respect.

Think about this as well...where else are we allowed to whack someone to get a point across?

Should we be allowed to beat our boss to get his attention?

How about we belt the spouse to get them to keep their car keys in the same spot every day?

Wouldn't work, right?

We'd be arrested.

How about whipping the dog to house train him?

Ask Michael Vick about that form of discipline.

Why can we hit the kids then?

I don't get it!

The old 'My Dad beat the hell out of me and I'm fine' argument doesn't work out either.

That generation drove around loaded too...

...we are supposed to evolve.

My boys respect us.

We didn't use an elf.

We didn't beat them, either.

We very rarely scream at them to get a point across.

You need to hit your kids to get their respect?

There are other tools in the tool box.

The elf thing is supposed to be fun.

Intimidation just isn't the perfect motivating tool.

Is it?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more