Let's face it...the "Santa" window is a very small one. From ages 0 to 3 kids are petrified of the man... he's big, he's loud, and everyone wants you to get right up close to him. You would cry, too...just admit it. Then you move into the next age range... 4 to 8? 9? Maybe 10? Well, during those ages he is everything magical and special and amazing... After age 10 you either pretend that you "believe" for the sake of younger siblings and/or more gifts, or join the rest of the grown-ups who yearn for the days when Santa seemed to be a real possibility.
O is officially in the "believe" stage...she has fallen for the whole thing hook, line and sinker... She asks great questions about him... Does he need photos of what I want? Is he at every event that has a Santa? Where does he keep the naughty list? She has written lists and changed her mind about what she would like several times... And she is VERY concerned about her status on his naughty/nice list.
O's concern about "the list" could possibly be the greatest parental advantage of all time... And, yes, I am exploiting her fear. I remember hearing my own mother tell me that I better behave if I didn't want to end up on Santa's naughty list... And now I hear myself utter the same words... This, my fellow parents, is an opportunity that is short-lived, and that you can not let pass you by. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, at the first HINT of anything sassy, I remind her that she might want to be careful if she wants to be sure she is on Santa's list of good girls. Works like a charm every time...
This really is one of the most magical times of the year... and seeing it all through the eyes of a child is so much better than just going through the motions of it all as an adult. So enjoy the short number of years that your children really and truly believe, and don't forget to use that belief to your own advantage. Merry Christmas!
1 comment:
You should consider writing a book to parents about being one! Your style reminds me of Dave Barry, a columnist from a Florida paper. He has written several books on human characters. Your style is very much like his.
As for your holiday comments, you are right on the mark. Christmas is soo much more fun for parents when there are "believers" in the house. Every day is a magical time of anticipation. Enjoy the years for as long as they last, the time after is not nearly as much fun! Have a great holiday! Love you, Mom
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