Tall Girl has always been a clingy child. I could never have lost her in a crowd when she was little, not that I'd have wanted to. She was always there beside me, clinging. She is shy and nervous, but will blossom one day I'm sure.So.........The thought of Father Christmas coming into her room to fill her stocking was always something she faced with trepidation! She has always hung her stocking downstairs in the hope that there will be no strange man crossing her threshold on Christmas Eve. On the other hand Small Sprog has no fear at all. He positively wants Santa to wake him up with a HO HO HO! So Tall Girl is not happy, was not happy. For Santa needs to pass her open bedroom door on the landing, to get to her brothers room. This was a cause of worry to her every Christmas Eve. So what to do?
Last year I could stand it no longer. She still believed (at 11 years of age) and got more anxious as the years went by!
Now Christmas and Santa are supposed to be pleasurable. I watched her struggle for sleep on Christmas Eve last year and thought, for goodness sake why don't I tell her it's not true? She'll sleep much better and will enjoy Christmas so much more.
Now what mother tells her first born child that Santa is not real on Christmas Eve?! Well I did, and it was the best thing I ever did. The look of relief on her face and the smile were worth all the worry of breaking a dream. She was incredulous. It was mummy all along? The relief washed over her and she slept like a baby for the first time I could remember on Christmas Eve. She has also been true to her word and not 'spilt the beans' to Small Sprog, who will still put carrots out of the attic window on Christmas Eve, just in case the reindeer fancy a snack.
In case I don't get here again before The Big Day
Merry Christmas
It's been so good getting to know you this year :)
My 13yr old now raises her eyebrows disdainfully whenever Father Christmas is mentioned. One 10yr old knows he doesn't exist but is hedging her bets by writing a list for us and the same one for FC. The other 10yr old still seems to firmly believe - wondering how her friend will get her pressies on holiday in Barbados. In some respects I will be glad when the secrecy is over - all that creeping about and waiting for them to tgo to sleep - on the other hand - its nice, even for adults to pretend to believe.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
thats funny, my eldest, my own daughter, 12, is as clingy as anything. where my 10 year old son cant' get away from me quick enough.
ReplyDeletedon't know if daughter still believes or not. can't bring myself to ask or tell her.
happy christmas xxx
what a brave thing to do and you were spot on with it...our instinct is rarely wrong as Mum's though sometimes I choose the wrong words...
ReplyDeleteam sitting in bed with laptop watching online greys anatomy...it helps me wind down and detach...
I have only just remembred to take out the turkey, we may be having it boxing day and beef on xmas day at this rate!!
hope to chat over the hols...
take care...saz xxx
My daughter often slept on a mattress beside our bed for days after watching a scary movie - and at 23, still sleeps with the light on... so can relate to your situation.
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas to you too - have a great day
fi :)
Sometimes a Mom has to do what a Mom has to do! Well done for a peaceful Christmas Eve!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny Saz, I forgot to take mine out too!! We were supposed to be eating it today so I now have 2, one frozen (when will we eat that?!) and one fresh!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, still it was a brave move on your part to spill the beans. Happy Christmas all.
ReplyDeleteStrange this Santa thing, really. For 364 days a year we're warning kids to be wary of strange men and then and Christmas Eve convincing them that someone's going to steal into their room at dead of night but it's ok. Your daughter was right to be suspicious!
ReplyDeleteWhat? Santa? not real? doesn't exist? what? what? then who puts my prezzies at the end of my bed?
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas!
Hey! Happy Christmas. Take it easy and have fun. Best Wishes for 2009.
ReplyDeleteI always thought it was a sad day when the boys didn't believe in Santa any more but you did the right thing if it was spoiling Tall Girl's Christmas. Now she can be part of the magic for small sprog!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very happy Christmas and may the new year bring good health and happiness for you. x
Merry Christmas Suburbia! I thought of you when I was in Bristol yesterday!
ReplyDeleteYou have to do what's right for each individual child, don't you? My youngest is bouncing around with excitement today - it's like having Tigger to stay :-O
ReplyDeleteHope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
x
Oh bless her, how lovely.
ReplyDeleteI bought magic reindeer food again this year: I so NEED grandchildren! But I nobly gave it to the children next door when they came in with George's Christmas stocking.
Have a wonderful time and see you in the New Year!! xx
Merry Christmas Suburbia!
ReplyDeleteYou are learning, like I did, all those years ago, to negotiate through the jungle and the dark woods.
You made the right decision.
Isn't it odd, how children are so different, never ceases to amaze me.
All good wishes!
Letty ;0)
The reindeer left their carrots this year at our place but Santa did drink his whiskey as usual
ReplyDelete