Dealing with The Loss of Santa Clause
by Every year, another child learns the truth – how do the parents cope?
When our children are young, the magic of Christmas is augmented by the coming of Santa Clause. We prepare our kids with warnings of “better watch out” and set out milk and cookies as a quick snack for our jolly gift-giver, all the time, watching with unbridled excitement as our children anticipate Santa’s arrival. Santa is a big part of the tradition of Christmas, so how do we deal with it when it’s time to tell children the truth?
I recall, being a young mother with little money to buy gifts, having to tell my children earlier than I would have liked. The fact that they couldn’t understand why other children received bigger, better gifts, when they’ve been so good all year was heart-breaking in the least, but it brought on the need to tell them the truth. Santa Clause died that day, and with him, went everything about Christmas that was magical.
Of course, hearing the truth is tough on kids, but nobody thinks about the effect it has on parents. No more letters to Santa, baking the perfect cookie for him to eat, or photos of small glittering eyes as they sit on a department store Santa’s lap. Now come the big lists of “I want” gifts, and humbug attitudes. Without magic, Christmas can turn into a holiday of nothing more than big bills and broken diets.
It doesn’t have to, though. My kids stopped believing in Santa Clause a long time ago, but I can still find joy and excitement in the eyes of other children. My nieces and nephews, neighbourhood children, and – in time – my grand children will bring the magic back. Volunteering to deliver gifts to those less fortunate also makes a huge impact on remembering what Christmas is, and how Santa Clause made it extraordinary. Christmas isn’t all about Santa Clause, but you have to admit that there’s something special about sleepless Christmas Eves and “hearing” reindeer tapping on the roof. Perhaps I’m crazy, but I’d rather not change, and I’m not afraid to admit that I choose to believe in Santa Clause. I’ll be putting milk and cookies out this Christmas Eve, will you?
Colleen Ludgate, Editor, FunAdvice.com
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Post CommentSharpedon
On November 29, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Very good piece,particularly for parents with young children.
Larry Fish
On November 29, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Good for you to put cookies and milk out this year. It is hard for parents to give up that Santa tradition. I’m a grand parent of five now and even four of those are to old for Santa. Only a couple of more years left with the little one. They grow up to fast, but Santa will always be a part of my Christmas.
meandu
On November 29, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Christmas is really not all about Santa Claus, it is great to be able to share in the magic.
lapasan
On November 29, 2010 at 8:04 pm
nice article.
MaxBuceo
On November 29, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I like this post, nice job.
Guy Hogan
On November 29, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Santa Claus is a nice myth.
Minister Marlene
On November 30, 2010 at 1:09 am
This is so cute. When I was about six or so I thought I heard his footsteps.
jimbob1
On November 30, 2010 at 2:19 am
CL…bless you for still believing…as a former mall Santa myself I am still a firm believer…my belief has never waivered even when I saw the piercing look in my daughter’s eyes as she sat on my knee on Santa’s big chair in the mall just before Christmas one year…bless her too because she never disclosed the secret to her brother who was on my other knee at the same time…I like this one a whole big bunch and voted my endorsement for it…I still read and believe the truth contained in the editorial Yes Virgina, there is a Santa Claus…thank you and take care…
UNMESH
On December 1, 2010 at 11:32 am
NICE DEAR