by Marsha Coles

Created on: December 03, 2010

Christmas time means buying presents, and making holiday treats. It also means it’s time for the dreaded photo on Santa’s lap. It’s the picture that mothers crave and kids fear. So what do you need to do to help your child relax and even be excited to talk to Santa?

            First things first you need to be prepared. A few weeks before the Santa picture is scheduled sit your child down and explain exactly who Santa Claus is, including where he lives, his wife, and his little helper elves. It is very important for your child to think he knows who Santa is. No child wants to sit on a stranger’s lap.

            Another thing you can encourage is for your child to write a letter to Santa. Have them tell all about themselves so they will feel that Santa knows them, too. To encourage them even further consider “sending” a letter from Santa to your child. The more interaction they have with “Santa Claus” the more comfortable they will be.

            Once the day to take the photo arrives, show up early. Have your child stand back and watch the other children interact with Santa to get used to the store’s process. This will help ease confusion and fear.

            If when it’s your child’s turn to sit on Santa’s lap and they are still fighting it maybe it is time to stop. Children have an inner sense about people. If they feel uncomfortable around someone even after all of the effort put into making them feel comfortable it raises a red flag. Your child may be getting “bad vibes” from this Santa. This doesn’t mean that he may be a criminal but apparently there is something there that your child has picked up on.

            Now it comes down to wants verses needs. How badly do you want this Santa picture? To put it plainly a child is supposed to be full of excitement when sitting on Santa’s lap not froze in terror. Do you really want a picture of a tearful child sitting on Santa’s lap to look back at through the years? There is a time to decide that your child’s comfort and care comes before a picture. After all, maybe next year will be different and you will get that picture because this year you didn’t force your child and they grew out of that fear whereas if they were forced to sit on Santa’s lap that fear could grow more.

Learn more about this author, Marsha Coles.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.