1. Yell at them. This dampens the mood somewhat.
2. Tell them to clean their rooms to make way for the new stuff the could potentially get. Then tell them to clean the rest of the house as well.
3. Get Daddy to sing his mop-microphone, over-dramatic version of Silent Night. Heck, we're all excited! Not just the kids!
4. Tell them that for every 5 minutes they are unsettled after bedtime, they need to wait an extra 10 minutes in the morning before opening their presents.
5. Give them unlimited electronic time. At least it will keep them quiet.
Wendy suggested this list. I've done all 5 today.
I did the first two things on your list. Then I ended up calling Chris in desperation and begging him to come home from work early. Then we both couldn't manage the excitement levels so we let them watch The Incredibles for the rest of the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteWe drove home from holidays yesterday. But before we left we took them to the Lego store in the town where we were and allowed them to choose their own presents up to a certain value. They spent almost the whole 2 1/2 hours comparing their "purchases". Our middle son hardly stopped talking the whole time. In the end I gave them my iPhone with aeroplane mode on and told them to play. Ah, blissful peace!
ReplyDeleteThe yelling - hasn't done much to dampen the excitement. However now we're on the 'other side' of present unwrapping, they are all absorbed in the "Lego" room. It is beautifully quiet! And to think a few years ago I felt sorry for myself when it was all quiet and no extended family around to share the joy. Today, peace is beautiful.