It’s officially that time of year. Christmas music, holiday cookies, and putting up your Christmas decor is now totally acceptable. Santa is making his list and checking it twice, and then, it happens— your little one decides Santa “isn’t real” anymore. Yikes.
Ok— secret’s out. So, maaaybe there’s not a big guy sliding down the chimney in a red suit, but if you have a little Christmas spirit, Santa is totally real. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles— at some point, someone’s played the part of Santa in your little ones’ lives. Communicating this with your littles is important. Focus on the gain of giving to others, rather than the loss of Santa. Focus on the gain of being a Santa to family and friends, and maybe even those who don’t have a Santa in their lives. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Create new holiday traditions with your little ones by spreading holiday joy to others. Take your little ones out for a day of Christmas shopping, gift wrapping, and playing the role of Santa for those they love. Have the kids be the ones who eats Santa’s cookies on Christmas Eve, and the ones who bite the carrot left out for Rudolf (perfect for big siblings!). Allowing your kids to participate in these activities from a new perspective, rather than eliminating them all together will provide an easy transition of having “no” Santa, to still feeling his spirit.
Moms, dads— the transition of receiving from Santa to being Santa is an exciting new journey. From one Santa to another, Merry Christmas!
