Entertainment
‘Santa Holds Grudges’: Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin Debate Naughty List Parenting on The View
19
Dec
Dec
Contents
- 1 Sara Haines vs. Sunny Hostin: The Naughty List Debate That Divided The View
- 1.1 Setting the Stage: Naughty or Nice Debate
- 1.2 Sara’s Argument: Playful Motivation
- 1.3 Sunny’s Perspective: Avoiding Fear-Based Tactics
- 1.4 Clashing Parenting Philosophies
- 1.5 ‘Santa Holds Grudges’: The Turning Point
- 1.6 The Audience Reaction: A Mixed Bag
- 1.7 Experts Weigh In
- 1.8 Finding Common Ground
- 1.9 Conclusion: Naughty or Nice? You Decide
Sara Haines vs. Sunny Hostin: The Naughty List Debate That Divided The View
There are few topics that divide parents during the holiday season like the “nice or naughty” list. The age-old concept of using Santa’s list to encourage good behavior in children sparked a heated debate on The View, with co-hosts Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin finding themselves on opposite sides of the issue. What started as a lighthearted discussion about holiday traditions quickly turned into a heated exchange about parenting styles, ethics, and the psychological impact of using Santa as an enforcer. Here’s a closer look at the debate, the underlying parenting philosophies, and why the idea of Santa “holding a grudge” has people talking.
Setting the Stage: Naughty or Nice Debate
In a recent segment on The View, the co-hosts tackled the topic of using Santa’s naughty or nice list as a behavioral tool for children. The discussion was sparked by a viral social media post in which a parent shared her success in getting her kids to behave by reminding them that Santa “knows everything” and only rewards kids who are good.
Sara Haines, a mother of three, admitted to using this tactic in her own family. “It’s all about having fun,” she said. “When my kids start to push the boundaries, I remind them, ‘Santa is watching!’ It’s not about fear, it’s about maintaining the magic and pushing them to be the best version of themselves.”
Sunny Hostin, however, strongly disagrees. “I don’t like the idea of teaching kids that love and rewards are conditional,” she argued. “The idea that Santa holds a grudge? That seems a bit far-fetched. We’re raising people, not pets.”
Sara’s Argument: Playful Motivation
Haines defends the practice as a harmless and playful way to encourage good behavior during the holidays. “It’s a tradition,” she says. “Kids love the idea of Santa Claus. They already believe that he flies around the world overnight and comes down the chimney. Using that magical belief to say, ‘Hey, clean up your toys or Santa might skip your house’—that’s not harmful.”
For Sara, naughty lists aren’t a threat, but a way to convey responsibility in a fun, festive setting. She likens it to other motivational tools, like reward charts or earning privileges through good behavior. “It’s a seasonal version of what we already do as parents,” she explains. “And let’s be real—most kids don’t actually believe that Santa Claus is going to skip their house. It’s just a way to control them for a few weeks.”
Sunny’s Perspective: Avoiding Fear-Based Tactics
Sunny Hostin counters that the use of naughty lists is not as harmless as it seems. A lawyer and mother of two, Hostin argues that tying behavior to rewards like gifts can send the wrong message. “What happens when a child tries their best and still makes a mistake? Do we really want them to think that their worth is tied to their behavior?” she asks.
Hostin also raises concerns about instilling fear in children. “When you say, ‘Santa is watching,’ you’re essentially saying, ‘You’re being judged.’ That’s a lot of pressure for kids who are still learning and growing. It’s better to teach them to do the right thing because it’s the right thing, not because they’re afraid of losing something.”
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Clashing Parenting Philosophies
The exchange between Haines and Hostin highlights two very different parenting philosophies.
Behavioral Conditioning vs. Intrinsic Motivation
Haines favors a behavioral approach, in which external motivators like Santa’s approval can guide children toward good habits. Hostin, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of cultivating intrinsic motivation—teaching children to behave well because they feel right, not because they expect a reward.
Fun Traditions vs. Emotional Impact
For Haines, the naughty list is a fun tradition that brings joy and structure to the holiday season. Hostin sees it as potentially harmful, noting that some children may take the idea too seriously, leading to anxiety or feelings of inadequacy.
Short-term versus long-term lessons
Haines sees the naughty list as a short-term tool for managing holiday chaos, while Hostin argues that it can undermine the long-term goals of raising confident, empathetic children.
‘Santa Holds Grudges’: The Turning Point
The debate turned humorous when Hostin joked, “Santa gets angry, and I’m not here to do that!” The comment, while meant to be a joke, underscored her concern about the punitive implications of naughty lists.
Haines responded with a laugh but remained firm. “It’s not about anger,” she said. “It’s about accountability. If my kids are being mean to each other, I think it’s okay to remind them that kindness is important, even to Santa.”
Joy Behar, ever the peacemaker, chimed in with her signature wit. “Santa doesn’t get angry, he’s just a busy man with a lot of kids to think about,” she joked.
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The Audience Reaction: A Mixed Bag
Predictably, viewers and social media users were divided. Some parents sided with Haines, sharing stories of how naughty lists helped them manage holiday stress.
“We’re not traumatizing our kids,” one viewer commented on Instagram. “It’s just a fun way to keep them excited and mindful of their actions during Christmas.”
Others supported Hostin’s stance, arguing that the tactic relied too much on fear and external validation. “Kids need to know they’re loved and appreciated no matter what,” one tweet read. “Santa should be a symbol of generosity, not judgment.”
Experts Weigh In
Child psychologists have weighed in on the debate, offering insights into the potential implications of using Santa’s naughty list as a disciplinary tool.
Pros:
Experts acknowledge that playful traditions like naughty lists can be effective in managing short-term behavior. “Children generally respond well to external incentives,” says Emily Reynolds, PhD, a developmental psychologist. “As long as the approach is gentle and not overly punitive, it can add to the joy and excitement of the holiday season.”
Cons:
However, psychologists warn against overusing such tactics. “If children begin to believe that their worth is tied to their behavior, it can lead to feelings of shame,” Reynolds adds. “It’s important for parents to balance these traditions with support and unconditional love.”
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Finding Common Ground
While Haines and Hostin may not have reached a consensus, their debate underscores the need for balance in parenting. Naughty lists can be a fun and effective tool when used sparingly and with a sense of humor, but it’s important to make sure kids feel loved and valued regardless of their behavior.
Haines acknowledges this point, saying, “At the end of the day, my kids know that Santa loves everyone. The naughty list is just a way to remind them to think about their actions—it’s not meant to make them feel bad.”
Hostin agrees that the spirit of Christmas should ultimately be about love and generosity. “We can all agree that the holiday season is about bringing joy to our kids,” she says.
Conclusion: Naughty or Nice? You Decide
The clash between Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin on The View may not have settled the Santa Claus naughty list debate, but it did spark an important conversation about parenting and holiday traditions.
Whether you’re on team “naughty list” or team “unconditional Santa,” one thing is clear: the holidays are a time to make memories, foster kindness, and celebrate the magic of childhood.
As Joy Behar wisely concluded, “In the end, it doesn’t matter how you do it—as long as the kids get presents, everyone’s happy!”
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