Santa Clause is coming to town!

FAMILY FUN

Kids learn from an early age, “You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout ’cause Santa Claus is coming to town.” It’s no wonder our 12 year old niece explained recently that’s why Santa creeps out her little cousins. Santa is the ever-present and all-knowing force who is tracking every move kids make and if they’re bad or good! That may be why lines to see Santa Clause are full of kids crying and not wanting to sit on a stranger’s lap who says “Ho, ho, ho” with a big red suit and full white beard!

Our son, Andrew, experienced Santa for the first time last year at my parents’ Christmas Eve party when he was one year’s old. A family friend ironically named Nicholas (now in college who I used to babysit for when he was our son’s age) dressed up as Santa. Santa loved it just as much as our son. Santa even bench pressed our son as our family and friends cheered while Andrew rang his bells. We were lucky that was the best case scenario Santa setting as our son spends time at his grandparents’ every day when we are at work and was in a home full of loved ones as opposed to a mall setting full of strangers.

If you are getting ready for a Santa visit, below are a few tips friends and family have given us to make it fun for all.

• Talk about Santa and read Santa books in advance of meeting Santa with your child; my Dad was reading “The Night Before Christmas” to our son and his cousin before Santa arrived last year.
• Try not to use Santa as an intimidation force at least until you are past the toddler stage.
• If your child expresses a fear of Santa (especially between ages two to seven), respect those feelings and talk about why he is not scary.
• Visit Santa with your little one and older children from your family or friends who are not scared and are good examples of the safe and positive experience.
• If possible, visit Santa with another adult who can help coach your child and give Santa the head’s up about something familiar to your child such as your dog’s name or a favorite family member or friend.
• If all else fails and the melt down escalates, wave to Santa yourself and be positive, but respect your child’s feelings and leave the line – another visit will go better.

Parents give Santa the nod

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and holiday full of joy!

Santa knows when you’ve been good