Fear of Santa Claus: Child's Fear More Important Than Christmas Photo

Have you ever forced your crying child to sit in Santa Claus's lap because your child was embarrassing you in front of other parents? Or maybe you were hell-bent on getting that perfect Christmas photo of your child in Santa Claus's lap to send out with the Christmas newsletter? What is it about Santa Claus and Christmas that makes so many parents lose their senses? Let me first say that I myself never had a problem sitting in Santa Claus's lap. I'd list all the presents I wanted for Christmas, but subconsciously knew that this was not where Christmas gifts came from. My mother would have never made me sit in Santa Claus's lap. A few times she asked if I wanted to see Santa Claus. If I said no, then no big deal, we moved on to the shoe store or whatever. If I said yes, then she took me to see Santa Claus. No big deal either way. It was my decision to sit in a stranger's lap.

I also remember asking to see Santa Claus one Christmas. My mother had more important things to worry about during the Christmas season than whether or not her kids wanted to sit in a stranger's lap. My parents perhaps didn't want to encourage greediness (kids sitting in Santa Claus's lap asking for the whole world). My parents also weren't the type to get that Christmas photo at all costs and then show it off to relatives. So when I say I have only sensible memories of Santa Claus and his lap, you can believe me. However, I have seen, in newspapers during Christmas season, more than enough disturbing photos of terrified, crying kids writhing in Santa Claus's lap. Editors think these photos are cute Christmas lore. So do parents, giving the newspaper permission to print the screaming child's full name. Well, this is insane.

You need not have a PhD in child psychology to figure out what's really going on here.

Parents never force frightened kids to sit in Santa Claus's lap for the benefit of the child. It's for the benefit of the parents! Now, before I go on, I DO realize that a small percentage of parents will force a crying child into Santa Claus's lap, believing this will "bring out" their shy child, or encourage more social interaction in general.