Urgent warning to parents over this year's naughty and nice list View Image

A family psychotherapist is urging parents to scrap Santa’s ‘naughty or nice’ list this Christmas as it could be mentally damaging for children. Fiona Yassin , clinical director of The Wave Clinic - said Santa’s ‘naughty or nice’ list can be anxiety-inducing for children - especially those with existing mental health challenges - and can impact a child’s self-worth.

Yassin said: “Parents can be tempted to ward off bad behaviour with the threat of the ‘naughty’ list. However, rewarding ‘good’ behaviour with presents and ‘bad’ behaviour with punishment teaches children and young people that they are less worthy if they do something deemed ‘bad’.

“Consciously or unconsciously, young people believe they are

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