One of the things that makes children, especially the younger ones, look forward to Christmas with so much excitement is because they’ll wake up Christmas morning to see their presents dropped under their Christmas tree by Santa. Some children might even try to stay awake all night just so they see when he’s actually dropping the gift.
Children with high need of competence such as I want to learn, I want to know, will bombard you parents with a million and one questions like ‘’ mummy when is Santa coming? is he going to get my present? how many presents is he getting for me? why does he come only at night? I want to see him and say hello to him, these questions go on and on.
Most parents use this as an opportunity to condition or threaten their child to do certain tasks, or behave well as they would say things like this to their child, if you don’t behave, Santa isn’t going to get you a Christmas present or say they want their child to pick up their toys after play, they would say, pick up your toys now so you can get your Christmas present from Santa’’ and your desperate child will be left with no choice but do as he’s been told just because he wants a present from Santa.
As your child begins to mature in age, he starts to wonder or ask how Santa is able to deliver all the presents to people’s houses in one night. They wonder how he eats all the many snacks and drinks so much tea from people’s houses without being sick. This leads them to asking the question, mummy, daddy is Santa real? Or who is Santa? Although some children may have learnt the truth about Santa from their friends or in school while some catch their parents placing the presents in their Christmas tree or some catch their parents eating Santa Claus snacks and tea while for some children, they just naturally outgrow it.
Some parents may choose to tell their child about Santa as soon as they start asking questions. Some may say, oh, I don’t know how to start it or what to say. The truth is there’s no right or wrong way of telling your child about Santa but you can start with an open- ended question for example, mummy, is Santa real? I suggest you respond by saying, what do you think? This give your child the opportunity to say whatever they know without you judging and please pay attention to what they are saying, leave them to say all what they have in mind without interruption, this will help you understand their own level of understanding and will also give you time to formulate your own response.
While you respond, be as honest as you can so your child can keep trusting you, see it as a moment of connecting with your child. Also, depending on your child some children may become emotional, this is very normal, remember every child is not the same, your role as a parent is to ensure the safety of your child, provide a loving environment and empathize with your child.
Use this opportunity to share with your child the origin of Santa, his generosity, kindness and happiness, I shared it in yesterday post. let them understand the true meaning for the season, Christmas is a time to be grateful for all the things you have and the things you don’t have, ask them if they’ll like to become Santa. In all, I encourage you to be patient and calm.
