Parents Need to Stop Weaponizing Christmas

While Christmas can be a lovely holiday focused on unity and merriment, many toxic cycles start at an early age during this time of year. Although some families may not perceive their actions as problematic, informing parents can help break these cycles.

One toxic practice is encouraging children to believe that people are always watching you. Between the elves and Santa, you're made to believe that, during this time of year, you are under constant scrutiny. This can cause kids to stress and be afraid of making even the smallest mistake. Pushing this narrative can make it seem like every “incorrect” act that a child does will be held against them and prevent them from getting presents for Christmas. Many people who have grown up with the fear that people are watching them at times or all the time have said that this practice can interfere with holiday joy and encourage this paranoia. 

To add on, parents use Christmas as a heavy manipulation tactic throughout the year. It often switches between blackmail and bribery when parents decide they want something from their children. This can lead to confusion about morality and confuse kids’ growing minds about how using things against people can get you what you want. 

While the holidays are meant to be about family coming together and showing how much you care for one another, they can sometimes take a dark turn,  becoming a way to manipulate the people in your life. What gift one receives, how expensive it is, who one chooses to buy gifts for will all be scrutinized. Every big company will push this agenda, by guilt-tripping consumers, saying things like “Don't leave anyone out this holiday season.” People with financial struggles may not have the money or time to buy all their loved ones something, and they shouldn’t be made to feel bad about this. The point of the holiday season is showing up and being present for those you love, not buying forgiveness or silence from family members.

All these choices may be unintentional by parents who simply don’t know. This holiday season, it is important for parents to simply focus on being present and enjoying this time with their friends and family without having to make it a bad experience for the kids.