You'd Better Watch Out...

Santa Claus is coming to our house. Keep your nose clean and keep the cookies coming.

My kids are 7 and 9, so I was a little worried that this would be the year that Santa Claus was killed for at least one of them.  I know they are a little old to believe in Santa, but that is part of the magic of Christmas. And indeed, part of the magic of special needs kids.

My own belief in Santa was killed when I was seven. Of course, then I had Hard Evidence. I had found a hidden present, which later turned up under the tree with Santa's signature thereon.  I remember debating this with my Very Best Friend, "N" on the stairs of her parent's old house.

"Maybe it was a mistake"

"No. It was definitely the same doctor's set"

"Well, maybe your Dad got some extra presents and said that Santa sent them"

"The same paper? the same writing?"

"The same paper?"

"Yes"

"Oh."

So I killed Santa for her, too. Sorry, N. I wish I had more tact back then. Hey! I wish I had more tact now, but I guess I don't...

I remember that disillusionment to this day.  N. probably does, too. And it was like ...20 years ago (really). So now, even though my kids are relatively "big" to believe in Santa, I have worked hard to keep him alive for them. No Hard Evidence anywhere. Separate wrapping paper for Santa presents. Crumbs on the floor left by reindeer. OK maybe one of them will read this and I'll be screwed, but that's why God invented passwords.

I was concerned this year that my son, who is older and a clever little bugger for all his Autism, was going to test the Santa theory. He had refused to divulge to us his Santa Gift List. I figured he was holding back in the hope that Santa would somehow read his mind, and if not; theory proved: Santa didnt' exist. I have been trying to get information on what he wants out of him for weeks, but the best I managed was some Pokemon cards. Well, Himself managed to get a list out of him eventually. I have a feeling he is still holding something back, so I'm throwing an extra gift in there -just in case. (Maybe I'm overanalyzing this?)

But maybe my fears are in vain. Because the kids talk a really good game: Today at dinner I was talking to them about Santa, and they mentioned that the kid next door -we'll call him "Tommy"- doesn't believe in Santa. I asked my kids why they thought he would say that? -I have learned from experience that kids can often  come up with far better explanations for this stuff than I can- They did: "Maybe he doesn't believe in Santa the same way he doesn't believe in Halloween (good one!) "Maybe Santa won't come because Tommy doesn't believe in him anymore" (NICE!). And then my daughter said.

"Tommy said the parents get the gifts! I mean that's crrrrazy!"

"Yes it is." I said. "Where would I get money like that?"

"...and where would you go shopping in the middle of the night?" she asked, arms askew...

I had a hard time keeping my face straight at that one. I guess she can't figure that parents might plan in advance. Or maybe she knows me better than I thought.

But my son had the best theory:

"Maybe Tommy's on the naughty list" he said, knowingly and conspiratorially. 

You know, that would explain a lot...

Comments

[Katherine]

I love the "shopping in the middle of the night" comment! Actually, my Prince is 5 and this is the FIRST year he has really understood the idea of Santa at all, so I am working it, baby. Mostly for me, but it is such a joy to see his wonder and I just cannot wait until Christmas morning. It will be the first year, I hope, that he will have that excitement. I've waited so long for it and I don't care if he's 21 when the magic wears off. Well, maybe not that long. But you know what I mean, this is our first chance at Christmas "magic" and it means so much.

Sorry to get all mushy on you.

Katherine

[niki (mindriot)]

what an amazing conversation. i can't help but be reminded of "elf". i laughed out loud, then read the whole interchange aloud to my friend sitting in the room and we both had a great laugh at the pureness of the whole thing. really great.