Thinking back in time I wonder why it is that we parents are compelled to stand in a line for over an hour next to other parents with crabby, cough ridden, snot nose dripping, whiny children who all happen to be hungry and have to go to the bathroom - all while it's blatantly obvious that it is past their nap time?
WHO started this crazy tradition of taking the kid to see Satan Claus, and pay an arm and a leg, for photos - at a shopping mall... Certainly something some mall somewhere conjured up to bring in shoppers...
From the moment our kids can start talking and walking, we tell them not to talk to strangers, not to go with them and of course, not to sit on their laps. Then what do we do? Take them to the stranger-in-the-red suit, tell them to sit on his lap, and smile for a picture. All while this stranger who just may or may not smell like booze and child-urine, is asking what it is he can get your child for Christmas....
On top of that you have some teen age 'elves' who are not very Christmas-cheery any more realizing their pay is hardly enough to be dealing with crabby, coughing, dripping, whining, hungry, gotta-go-to-the-potty, tired children....
I was pretty fortunate, I didn't take my kiddo to see Mr. Claus until she was old enough to be aware of who Santa actually was - so she never developed that fear... Well, she went when she was 3 and 4, then at 5 it was a firm 'no' so I didn't push the issue (grin)
Isn't she darling? She's 15 now so don't tell her I posted these online!!!
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To those of you who have made this journey this year, my hat is off to you... to those of you who are planning on hitting the mall this weekend, I wish you the best!
But enjoy every moment with those little ones, it is all too soon that they are rapidly approaching fifteen-and-a-half and wanting to start driving!
Merry-Happy-Blessed-all-the-holidays-and-whatever-holiday-you-celebrate!
Alethea Anderson
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