Visiting Santa Reprise

It was difficult getting to Santa this month. He was extremely busy. However, I did have occasion to tell him that there were a substantial number of new subscribers to the monthly E-mail. He was pleased. He also felt that he probably should reprise his advise to parents about how to take children to see Santa.

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Those of you who had occasion to read my first E-mail in November of 2000 know that over the years I have come up with a series of five suggestions for adults that, if observed, virtually guarantee that a visit with me will be very satisfying. They bear repeating.

Suggestion one: If at all possible don’t carry the child when visiting me.

Look at it from the child’s point of view. There you are safely cradled in Dad’s arms. You’re looking down at a strange little man in a red suit with a lot of snow-white hair and a beard. Then Dad sets you down. All of a sudden that funny little man has become enormous. He towers over you. It is terrifying.

On the other hand, if allowed to walk in on your own there is no shocking change. You have time to get used to the fact that this unusual creature is kindly and wants to be your friend.

Suggestion two: Lead the child. Don’t push.

Once again look at it from the child’s point of view. That thing is Big. It’s got lots of hair. It wears funny clothes. It could be dangerous. "What’s this? They’re pushing me toward it! No way! They just want to see if it hurts me before they give it a try."

Alternatively if Mom and Dad walk up to Santa and shake hands or hug him the child will be right behind them, fear never having entered its mind.

Suggestion three: Say very little!

Santa is pouring out love, encouraging the child to come to him. But Santa’s voice is strange. Can he be trusted? The child isn’t quite sure. If he hears familiar voices, ones he associates with love, warmth, security he will gravitate to them rather than to Santa.

Suggestion four: What little you do say should be positive.

I will never forget the day little Danny came to visit me. When Danny’s turn came he was in no rush. He wanted to be sure that a visit with Santa was what he wanted.

The mother, keenly aware of the long line behind them said:

"Go ahead Danny. Santa won’t bite."

"Won’t BITE?" " Who said anything about BITING?" "Now I’ve really got something to worry about."

It would have been so much better had Mom led off and said, "Come on Danny. Santa loves you."

Suggestion five: Don’t get down next to the child and above all don’t pick him up.

Crouching next to a child is body language for "I’m going to pick you up." Obviously that is not your intent, or rather it shouldn’t be.

If you succumb and crouch down it’s all over. The chances of the child ending up on Santa’s lap are slim at best.

This is the advice I have been giving for many years. This year I would like to add two more suggestions.

Suggestion six: Move slowly and deliberately. If you plop the child on Santa’s lap and "scoot" the poor thing thinks you are abandoning him and is scared half to death.

Suggestion seven: Listen to Santa. It is possible that you know your "child" better than anybody else, but Santa has been around a long time and he knows "children."

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I urge you to heed Santa’s advice. It works.

Merry Christmas!!!

Santa’s Friend

Glenn

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www.Santa1.com The website that tells the truth about St Nicholas and Santa Claus. Featuring the books: "From Saint to Santa, the Autobiography of Saint Nicholas as revealed to a Friend", "There Really Is A Santa Claus" and "How Do You Tell A Child There Is No/A Santa Claus"

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