Out of all the viral parenting hacks out there, this one might just take first prize.
Washington Mom Kristina Watts has figured out a way to keep her tantrum-prone daughter in a Zen-like mood during their holiday shopping excursions. So last year, Watts took to Facebook to share her newfound solution for preventing her daughter from having her usual in-store Christmas meltdowns. Her hack instantly went viral.
“Once again my camera roll is FULL of pictures of Emerson with every single thing she wants for Christmas,” Watts wrote on the post filled with pictures of her daughter with toys that presumably piqued her interest.
“Why…” Watts continued, “because it’s the most amazing parenting hack ever and has stopped MANY meltdowns! If you aren’t using this hack… listen up friends.”
To keep her daughter from throwing a fit over every little thing she wants, but can’t immediately have, Watts snaps a picture of her holding or pointing to each of her desired presents. After each picture, Watts tells Emerson she’ll send the photo over to Santa so he knows exactly what she wants for Christmas.
Watts broke down the process.“Pause for a second, comment on the thing they’re pointing out, and say, ‘Let’s take a picture with it and send it to Santa so he knows you want it!’” she wrote. “Note: you can send it to Santa, grandma, TeeTee Stephanie or whoever it is you can pawn it off on. Totally up to you and can be different every time.”
Proud of her hack, Watts concluded her post to parents with a resounding, “You’re welcome.”
Of the over 10,000 comments Watt’s post has amassed, several are parents — and grandparents — expressing their gratitude for Watt’s nifty hack.
Facebook user and grandmother Sherry K. Parsley confirmed Watt’s trick. ” My grandsons are crazy for LEGOs any time of year,” she wrote. “I tried this in Walmart and Target. It works.”
Like many of the other commenters, user Rose-Marie Seidler Sommer replied with words of praise. “Brilliant! Patent that!”
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