We didn’t need to overcomplicate things by talking her out of that which she’d discovered for herself.
Somehow, she still hasn’t made the connection between the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, even though it’s been two years since she learned about the bunny. So, just because some magic changes, it doesn’t necessarily disappear all at once. It can be a gradual process. I felt relieved to learn this.
I want my child to hear the truth from me about “Is Santa real?” when the time comes.
I’ve seen the truth work time and time again. It’s part of how I’ve become my child’s “safe place” emotionally. When she asks, “Is Santa real?” I want my answer about this topic to be no exception. If I’m going to be her emotional rock throughout her life, these are the very details that matter.
If you’ve already told your child the whole kit and caboodle about Santa – can you backtrack?
I’ve had to do some backtracking when my child focused more on the Santa piece than what made me comfortable. So, I get it.
If Santa is already part of your December narrative, you can focus more on how good it feels to be a Santa for others. You can give Kris Kringle a smaller role this year, even if he’s still present for your kids. You choose where you put your focus.
You’re not spoiling it for your children if they do want to believe, and you’re ingraining in them that they can do good works for others.
You can promote the spirit of Christmas for exactly what it is. Know what and why you and your kids are celebrating. There’s a good message there; and one they can carry with them forever.
Children can believe in the magic of Santa for many years – and no matter how you approach it, you can do it with connection and trust at the core.
They’ll figure it out when they’re ready. And if you choose never to do the Santa thing, that works, too (just let children know that when other kids ask them, “Is Santa real?” – it would be best if they refer them to their family for the answer). It’s important that kids understand and respect family differences; you’re modelling that for them. Christmas means different things to different people.
I know this for sure, though – I am glad Santa exists. Because he does, in the goodness that’s all around us every year. Children see it clearly. I do my best to see it, too.
Originally published here.
Sarah R. Moore is an internationally published writer and the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting. You can follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. She’s currently worldschooling her family. Her glass is half full.
