When mom was living in my town she stayed in an alternative care home. She was sharp in her head, but somewhat feeble in her body. This home had a Christmas Party every year when they brought in the families of the residents and had finger foods, etc. In the Living Room, they had decorated with a five foot Santa that played one of several Christmas carols when you pushed a button. 

One resident’s eight-year-old, great-grandson, Billy, was there.  Now, Billy had a major problem with ADHD. He decided to keep pushing the song button over and over to advance the song to “Up On The Housetop”. …and then he did it again… and again… and again… He was playing roughly with the Santa, and driving everyone in earshot nutty. Where were Billy’s parents? Sitting five feet from their out-of-control kid!

The party was winding down, so I went to find the house director to say goodnight. Then the trouble happened. When I came back into the room, Billy was cowering next to his mom, and both parents had stunned looks on their faces. I said goodbye to mom, and went to the car with my teenaged children. Sal said, “Grandma just got up and grabbed Billy by the lapels. She got right in his face and told him in her best witch voice, “stop doing that or Santa will only bring you sticks and coal!’” 

Mom had a lot of practice dealing with kids, and she had not lost her touch!