A word from Santa
When the nice list needs a nudge.
Do you remember being told Santa was watching? Every parent reaches for it sooner or later: “He's watching, you know.” This time, he rings.
A quiet word, kindly said
Tell the elves what's been going on: not listening at bedtime, a push at a little sister on Tuesday, the bedroom floor. Santa rings, asks for your child by name, and has a quiet word. He's honest about what the elves have seen, and firm when he needs to be, but he's never frightening, and he never mentions coal. He reminds them he's seen them be kind before, that there's still time before Christmas Eve, and he asks for a promise. Then he writes it carefully in his big book, and says goodbye, warmly, like Santa.
Why it works
Because it's specific. Santa doesn't say "be good"; he says "the elves told me about your sister on Tuesday". And because there's a way back. A promise made to Santa is kept far longer than one made to a tired grown-up at bedtime, and you get to be the one who arranged the rescue.
With the very youngest
With under-fives, Santa keeps it tiny: one clear, kind ask, a promise, a well done, and he's off back to the workshop. He never lectures a three-year-old, and it's fine for you to answer for them.
And next month, he checks
With the Christmas pack, Santa rings once a month until Christmas: "I'm ringing to see how you've been getting on." Update the notes before each call, and he'll know whether the promise has held. (We've built phone assistants for plumbers. This is the one we're proudest of.)