Tips from the Disney Diva

My Favorite Things, Episode 05: Tinker Bell Presents

by Kristin T. Scroggin

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My husband and I have two children: a son, 8, and a daughter who just turned 4 at Disney World in October. With such young children, it's no surprise that as soon as the Halloween decorations are up, we start talking Santa.

Oh, you know what I mean:

"Don't hit your sister, Santa is watching."

"Santa knows when you tell lies about jumping on the couch, you better watch out."

"Santa isn't going to like to hear that you and your brother are fighting all the time."

Santa is our HERO when it comes to misbehaving children for 55 days of the year. But what about the rest of the year - because, let's face it, "the Easter Bunny is watching" just doesn't have the same ring to it nor does it produce the same results.

Luckily, we found a way to apply the "Santa" technique to our Disney trips. It's not Santa watching the Diva children while on Disney property. It's Tinker Bell!

Tinker Bell brings children who've been good that day a special gift each night after bed-time. She leaves the present and a trail of pixie dust (glitter) or else a message in the pixie dust such as "behave" or "mind" when the child has not been good.

And before you ask, yes, absolutely Tink sometimes does NOT leave presents, and when that happens, behavior is always ship-shape for the rest of the trip.

Not only does Tinker Bell help with behavior modification, she also helps cut down on the greed factor.

For example, if we go into a Disney store and one of our children begs, "ohhh, I really want this", we say: "well, maybe if you're good, Tinker Bell will bring it".

Then one parent takes the kids off somewhere while 'Tinker Bell' buys the present and either has it sent to our resort (if it's big) or stuffs it into a backpack when no one is looking (if it's small). Tinker Bell also has been known to 'pre-buy' presents at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Walgreens prior to a trip to save on expenses.

One of the best things about Tinker Bell Presents is that it helps my kids not spend all their hard-earned chore money on fluff. They wait until our LAST day at Disney to spend it because they're unsure what Tinker Bell might bring them.

But what if your kid has 'aged out' of Tinker Bell Presents?

Try "Cranky Coupons", a concept created by Kris Bordessa in Disney's Family Fun Magazine. Kris concedes that family members are entitled to short periods of crankiness, pouting, and general grumpiness. The catch? When you must have a mini-meltdown, you have to 'pay for it' with one of your coupons. You can read the article on-line and print your own Cranky Coupons. GENIUS, Kris! GENIUS!

For younger kids, however, you wouldn't believe how well Tinker Bell Presents cuts down on 'gimme' meltdowns. Fewer fights, less fussing, and more FUN are what puts Tinker Bell Presents at #5 on the list of My Favorite Things in Disney World.

Don't miss the other episodes of the Disney Diva's "My Favorite Things" series:

• Episode 01: Custom Disney Name Tags
• Episode 02: The Pirates League
• Episode 03: Fast Pass Pouches
• Episode 04: Snapfish Photo Books
• Episode 05: Tinker Bell Presents
• Episode 06: Custom Autograph Books
• Episode 07: Disney 'Ear' Hats