Is Santa Comin’ to Town?
On my recent trip to NYC with friends from high school, the moms were talking about Santa Claus and their kids, and their experiences. One friend asked if I was going to encourage my kids to believe in Santa. I hadn’t thought about it much. At 3yo last Christmas, Drake didn’t really “get” it. This year, though, he would.
I’m torn. I remember loving the idea of Santa as a kid, and being excited about Christmas night. I also remember getting suspicious because my dad had clearly filled out all the “from Santa” tags. And it was a big bummer for me to learn the truth by reading an article in my mom’s Women’s Day about whether or not, and how, to tell kids about Santa and the Tooth Fairy.
My first response to my friend was that I would do Santa. But as they other moms talked, it became clear that the Santa story was a slippery slope that required fib upon fib to maintain. It brought to mind a bumper sticker I notice every time I drive to the grocery, which is usually twice a week: “Don’t Lie to Kids.” Right now, I think I’m in the “if he doesn’t ask, I’m not going to say.” But I’m definitely leaning now to talking about Santa as a story, not a reality. Perhaps only because I’m not a talented liar.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:45 am
You don’t have to agonize over this one; I’m not going to pretend about Santa, so you’d look pretty silly if you did.
October 29th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Hmmm. In this blog, you note all the things you remember about your childhood Santa experience. Do you ‘remember’ ruining it for ME at the wee age of 5? That’s right. I came downstairs on Christmas morning in Worthington, and exclaimed, “WOW! Santa ate all the cookies I left, and even wrote me a thank you note!” and you said, “Yeah. Right. Don’t you think its odd that Santa and Mom have the EXACT SAME HANDWRITING?”
Bitch.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Nope, sorry. Don’t remember ruining it for you. But that totally sounds like something I would have done.
You were way too cute for your own good. You had it coming. (heh, heh)