The Santa Claus myth gets...
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The Santa Claus "myth" gets more difficult to carry on as children become older. Parents are often in a bit of a quandary over perpetuating what is no longer credible while at the same time not robbing their children of the joy of fantasy and make-
believe that makes childhood so innocent and special. When children reach school age they become inquisitive about the North Pole and its jolly inhabitants. They begin to ask questions that get tougher to explain. "Santa must have lost some weight." This will only get us so far, as children perceive that not all Clauses are roly-poly. Then there is the matter of beards. "Santa must dye his beard." This does not always satisfy the problem as to why the hairy mane on his chin comes in various shades. Some parents finally resort to the last corner of refuge before exploding the myth and simply offer, "There is too much work for Santa to do, so he has many helpers." Then come the resulting questions, like, "Is that a helper, Mommy and Daddy, or is he the real one?" One Santa at a large shopping plaza had it all -- a natural snowy white beard, a hearty laugh, a natural Santa physique, a twinkle in the eye, and a kindly interest in children. After his annual session with Santa, an older child, just on the brink of belief or unbelief in the eternal myth, was heard to say, "Mommy, that one is the real Santa." At the end of the age of fantasy for this child, the question was settled once and for all. -- Fairlie
believe that makes childhood so innocent and special. When children reach school age they become inquisitive about the North Pole and its jolly inhabitants. They begin to ask questions that get tougher to explain. "Santa must have lost some weight." This will only get us so far, as children perceive that not all Clauses are roly-poly. Then there is the matter of beards. "Santa must dye his beard." This does not always satisfy the problem as to why the hairy mane on his chin comes in various shades. Some parents finally resort to the last corner of refuge before exploding the myth and simply offer, "There is too much work for Santa to do, so he has many helpers." Then come the resulting questions, like, "Is that a helper, Mommy and Daddy, or is he the real one?" One Santa at a large shopping plaza had it all -- a natural snowy white beard, a hearty laugh, a natural Santa physique, a twinkle in the eye, and a kindly interest in children. After his annual session with Santa, an older child, just on the brink of belief or unbelief in the eternal myth, was heard to say, "Mommy, that one is the real Santa." At the end of the age of fantasy for this child, the question was settled once and for all. -- Fairlie
