I read an article recently, written by a 27yr old women about how harmful believing in Santa is. She was telling her story how hurt, upset, betrayed and traumatic it was when she was 9 yrs old & learned Santa wasn't real. It caught me off guard to read this from a grown woman. There was a lot of bitterness and the spirit of Christmas seemed lost on her.
After I read the article I thought back on my own personal experience with this figure we call Santa. As a child I looked forward to celebrating the birth of Christ our Savior with the opening of gifts from Santa Claus. Santa was very real in our hearts and minds. He brought gifts to everyone who was good and even if we were bad on Christmas. I never remember any traumatic or hurtful experience from believing in Santa, nor can I say when I stopped believing in Santa Claus. There was no startling revelation that made me lose my faith in the unseen. I never stopped trusting my parents or anyone else.
With time I simply came to a realization that he is not real nor are his reindeer. I never let on to my siblings that he wasn't real! Each and every Christmas I kept the Santa alive. I am the eldest of three. I made sure they looked forward to finding gifts from Santa under the tree!
My parents have always kept Santa Claus alive so to speak in our home. We never got to old or thought it was stupid or silly to say things like, "I hope Santa Claus brings me.....".
Even as we grew up to adults, my parents had gifts for us from Santa under the tree. My parents would also have gifts for each other from Santa. It was tradition and no harm came from it. Instead, we would laugh and giggle, even as teenagers opening our gifts from Santa.
As a parent of 2 young children, I wonder how will I handle that moment when Santa is no longer real to them. My wish is they never lose that joy and magic of Christmas that believing in Santa & his 8 Reindeer bring each year. I hope they have the same experience that I had and realize that Santa Claus symbolizes so much more then just a jolly old man bringing gifts.
That's me on Christmas Morning enjoying my Coffee.
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I had made a very similar post to this in my Facebook Group Coffee Time for Moms and we had a great time chatting about this. I do feel bad for the woman who had such a horrible childhood experience. I can't help but wonder if her parents could have helped her more and handled it all a lot better.
As parents we have such a great responsibility in raising our children. It is NOT easy. We are not perfect and we will make mistakes. I would not fully blame that woman's parents, because she is now a grown woman and has chosen to keep these bitter and angry feelings towards Santa Claus instead of seeking out help and for healing.
To be a parent, our lives change as do our priorities. These changes can come easy to some, while others may struggle. It can be easy to rush to judge another mom or dad based on your views and perspective. I've been guilty of this myself.
I want to be more uplifting and encouraging to other Moms. We all make mistakes. It is what we do afterwards that is important. Use those mistakes as life lessons to become the best Mom that YOU can be!
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and that Santa Claus brought your family all you desired! And I wish each of you a very Happy New Year!
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