Ask Our Experts: Is Father Christmas Real?
The question that every parent dreads: 'Is there really a Santa Claus?'
How does he manage to deliver all those presents in one night? How does
he cope when you don't have a chimney? And how can he be in Fenwicks and
Selfridges at the same time? Our parenting expert, Dr Pat Spungin, has
a few suggestions about whether it's time to unmask the fat guy in red...
or not!
 Raisingkids
member's problem
Last Christmas, a girl in my son's class
told him Santa Claus didn't exist. Luckily, we managed to convince him
that there was a real Santa, thanks to a visit to the grotto at our local
department store, a 'real' reply to his Christmas wish-list letter, and
sooty footprints on the floor. In our family, we think Christmas should
be a magical time, and Santa is a central feature in the whole experience.
Once other kids shatter the myth, the magic goes away and the little ones
see Christmas as just a present acquisition event. Last year he was five
but this year, we're sure it's going to be the same story but with an
older and more cynical kid! Should we tell him the truth, gently, rather
than have him hear it in the playground?
Dr
Spungin's advice
If he still believes at six, don't disillusion
him. It's part of the Christmas fantasy and it helps him (and you) enter
into the spirit of things. Before children stop believing in Santa Claus,
they 'know' that there is no such person but they also know that it's
part of the enjoyment.
Sometime parents worry about 'telling a lie'
but I personally wouldn't get too het up about it. Like many things in
life, it's a trade-off between letting him enjoying the magic and living
with the literal truth. When he's ready for the truth you won't have to
tell, he will already have figured it out himself. In fact, if you tell
him the truth this year, you're owning up to lying last year. So it's
a no-win for you either way!
Whatever you do, best wishes for a Merry Christmas.
 Restricted
Diet At Christmas: Paediatric Dietitian
Can you suggest a Christmas treat? Friends and relations are very good
about not giving her sweetsbut we hate to see her miss out. more...
Stepfamilies
At Christmas: Parenting Expert
Expectations run high and if things don't run to plan, disappointment
is great. more...
No To The Nativity Play: Education Expert
For most children, it's just an opportunity to perform for their mums
and dads and it's forgotten a few weeks later. more...
|
