Instead of Telling Your Child That Santa Claus Is Not There, Let Him Become One
I don’t remember the moment I stopped believing in Santa, but I do remember the perfectly flawless way my mom handled it when I finally asked.
I say “finally” because I was quite young when I noticed that Santa and my mom had the same handwriting and used the same wrapping paper, but there was no “aha!” moment, no “How could you lie to me ???” devastation. It all started with the words: “Well, isn’t it strange?” several years, until I mustered up the courage and asked my mother: “Is Santa real?”
“What do you think?” she asked thoughtfully.
“Hmm,” I said. I didn’t want to lie and say that I believe, but I also didn’t want to say that I don’t believe and no longer risk gifts.
“Do you know what I’m thinking about?” she said. “I think Santa is real. I think Santa is everywhere. Santa is the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of giving. How do you think it sounds? “
“Sounds good,” I said, and it worked: I continued to receive gifts from this big guy. But it’s even better if I received my answer without any version: “We have lied to you all our lives.” Mom didn’t tell me she was lying – she just told me a little secret.
One proposal that has become popular on the Internet during the holidays in recent years takes it one step further: Get your kids involved in the action too. This is what one person suggested in this viral Facebook post that seems to have been originally written by Leslie Rush: Now that you are old enough, you can become Santa Claus.
Let’s go for coffee first
The post suggests starting this at age 6 or 7, but psychologists agree that parents should take their kids into consideration. When your child is ready, take him out for coffee – an activity for adults.
Then talk to them
Say, “You’ve really grown a lot this year. You are not only taller, but I can see that your heart has grown. ” The message then asks you to list a few examples of how empathetic and considerate your child is.
“In fact, your heart has grown so much that I think you are ready to become Santa Claus. You’ve probably noticed that most of the Santa Clauses you see are dressed like him. Some of your friends might even tell you that Santa Claus is gone. Many children think this way because they are not yet ready to BE Santa Claus, but YOU ARE. “
Ask, “What’s the best thing about Santa?” and “What does he get for all his trouble?” Introduce them to the conversation that there is more than milk and cookies; it is the feeling of joy we get when we do good for others.
Finally, hand over the reins
Say, “You are now ready to do your first Santa Claus job!” and ask them to pick someone they know and find out what that person wants or needs. The newest Santa can then get the item, package it, and deliver it – all in secret. Because being Santa Claus is not about gaining recognition, it is about giving selflessly. Choose a new goal each year.
But when is the right time?
However, the question remains: how do you know your child is “ready”? Instead of waiting for them to ask directly, follow their prompts. When they start asking about Santa’s logistics – what about houses without chimneys? But every mall and store has a different Santa Claus. Caroline told me at school that Santa was gone; why did she say that? – They are ready.