Santa
Who is Santa really? And why is he at my mall? I think it’s kinda creepy. I think Santa is kinda creepy. Think about it. He’s a big, hairy old man dressed in a red pant suit. He comes to our homes in the middle of the night while we are sleeping and leaves presents. If that weren’t enough he comes to every mall across the country and we voluntarily place our children in his lap…. Ok ok. So maybe this is a little bah humbug… but it has really gotten me thinking. About the meaning of Christmas, the spirit of the season, my really great memories as a kid of coming out in the morning and seeing the presents spread out near the tree (and my favorite: the santa gift that was usually on the fireplace unwrapped with a big bow). So all these fun and wonderful thoughts are getting mixed up with the ones that wonder what I am really teaching my daughters by telling them about Santa.
I’ve been reading a really great parenting book, NurtureShock, by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman. In it they have a chapter on why kids lie. In addition to a bunch of other great information and thought provoking ideas, they mention that one reason kids lie is because they learn it from their parents. Is Santa (and the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny) one of the first lies we tell our kids? Do you remember when you found out Santa wasn’t real? Did you feel lied to? Or was it a fun discovery?
Maybe I’m taking it a bit too far. Santa is also an important part of the culture of this country (unless of course you don’t celebrate Christmas). And I’m not saying this will at all stop me from participating in the ritual. I’m super excited about the “santa” gifts I’ve gotten my girls this year and love the idea of stockings. One of my fondest memories and traditions as a kid was reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve with my Dad. So much so that I just had to run out and get it so O could open it on Christmas Eve to be read before bedtime. And who wants to be the parent of the kid that tells all the other kids at pre-school that there is no Santa?
Just food for thought. And I haven’t decided exactly what to do about it. I do know one thing. For me, mall Santa is still creepy. And I’ll do my best to avoid the request of my kids to sit on his lap as long as possible.
