Mum shares simple trick to stop children begging for toys in the lead up to Christmas

One mum’s simple hack for stopping children having Christmas shopping meltdowns is winning the Internet right now.

The festive season is in full swing, which means there are toys everywhere tempting children into wanting and then asking for EVERYTHING they see.

Sure parents can try fobbing their kids off with the Father Christmas is coming line, or threaten he won’t be putting in an appearance if they ask for something One. More. Time!

But one mum has discovered a different approach that works for her little one, and it’s honestly genius.

Kristina Watts has uncovered a simple yet clever way to stop children having a meltdown over toys they want in the build-up to Christmas.

The mum, from Washington, said her shopping trips used to be painful as she flitted between trying to manage expectations and make it around the shop without it taking hours.

Her solution?

Take a picture of your child with the toy to send it to ‘Father Christmas.’

Instead of letting her daughter, Emerson, get attached to a toy and then get upset about getting it for Christmas, the mum takes a picture of her posing with it to send to Father Christmas.

“Once again my camera roll is FULL of pictures of Emerson with every single thing she wants for Christmas,” the mum explains on Facebook.

“Why…because it’s the most amazing parenting hack ever and has stopped MANY meltdowns! If you aren’t using this hack…listen up friends.

“Our trips to the store used to be a lot more painful this time of year. Toys are out in full force…and of course my kids WANT IT ALL. Obviously I would love to have sweet, well mannered, non-greedy, chill kids, that don’t ask for all the things…but I don’t. ‘So drop your judgement Karen, and stop reading if you have kids like that,” she continued.

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She suggests that if other parents find themselves in the same position with their kids wanting all the toys, they take a picture.

“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!’,” the mum explains before adding a side note that of course you can send it to Santa, grandma or “whoever it is you can pawn it off on.”

The mum goes on to day that once she takes the snapshot her daughter puts the toy down and walks away.

“It’s magical. No tears. No tantrums (by either of us). And she forgets about all of them within minutes,” she continues.

“Maybe you’ve been doing this for ages, and you selfishly didn’t share this tip with me…or maybe you’re like me and this is about to rock your world. For real, try it friends.

“You’re welcome,” she signs off her post.

READ MORE: How to talk to children about the Santa myth

Since sharing, the post has quickly clocked up 28K likes, 49K shares and received hundreds of comments from grateful parents.

“This is awesome! will try it next time. problem is the kid in me wants the toy too!” one user wrote.

“Omg. I need to start doing this!!!! That’s how my kid is too. WANTS. ALL. THE. THINGS,” another parent commented.

“I love this idea! It helps parents and the other gift givers as well by letting them know what their grandchild, niece nephew, etc. wants,” another agreed.

Other parents shared some other, similar hacks.

“I do the same thing but online,” one parent added. “I let them sit next to me why I browse through toys screen shot them and say. I'll send a list to santa.”

“In addition to this amazing idea!!! Print out a photo of the picture you take. Write a note from Santa saying ‘I got your message from Mum and Dad. Hope you enjoy your gift’ (or whatever you would like) and wrap it in with the present,” another suggested.

While most parents were in favour of the simple trick, a few had a different viewpoint.

“But kids have good memories, what happens when father christmas doesn't bring the prezzies pictured, avoided tantrum would surely reappear christmas morning?” one user posed.

“I disagree, kids need to learn what NO is and how to deal with disappointment,” another added.