Reply #112: You're in a tough spot.

[Metta]

If you don't follow through, you undermine yourself as an authority in your family. If you do follow through, you'll probably be scape goated galore and I suspect everyone will up the ante in their acting out.

Are you and your wife on the same page as far as disciplining the kids? Somewhere along the line, the kids have learned/ you and your wife have taught them that they don't have to listen to you.

I say hold the presents and put the kids on a behavior modification schedule. Let them earn them back along with everything else they have come to expect. If you don't know how to do this, there are ready resources usually in your community for this, I suspect.

Good luck.