This weekend we made two attempts with Little Bug and Santa. The last two years have resulted in tearful pictures of the nanosecond Little Bug was on Santa's lap.
This year, we tried twice more. The result, two more tearful pictures. Which, I admit, I think are sort of endearing in the memory/tradition aspect. But he's old enough now to have more of a say in these sorts of things, so after attempting to get him comfortable with Santa like we successfully did with Disney characters, we're letting him take the reigns from here on out.
But here's the thing
The backhanded comments I have received regarding these pictures sort of shock me. It's one thing to not agree with someone and mentally cluck, but to make some thinly-veiled critique about how selfish it is as a parent or some nonsense like that....I think people should save it for things that really matter.
I'm not saying I don't judge. I do...all the time. But unless someone is doing something unsafe, I keep my self righteousness to myself. I don't post my comment and then congratulate myself on what a better parent I am.
This has reminded me to take more time before judging other parents. I don't know their circumstances, just like people don't know that Little Bug is obsessed with Santa (he even carries a small Santa around our home). It wasn't selfishness, but rather an earnest attempt to allow him more access to someone he shows great interest in. He was interested and curious up until the moment he got right next to Santa. One camera snap later and he was outta there and happy again. But people don't know that...nor do I know what is going on behind the snap shots in their lives.
My child is happy and healthy and loved, despite meeting Santa four times. That's what matters to me.
I'm sorry to hear you are getting backhanded comments, C. I hope you know that I never judged you. I thought the pictures were funny, but not in a mean way. I think they are endearing too. I know how you parent and would only want the best for Little Bug. I don't blame you for trying. Santa is a really fun tradition. X didn't like him at all last year, but we tried again this year. We got lucky this year, but if he would have cried we still would have tried again next year. Ignore the self righteous haters.
ReplyDeleteLike Kris, I'm sorry too. While I felt so bad for Seth... I never judged you! We have the same issue with El*mo. S LOVES him. Until he shows up live and in person... then it's complete . meltdown. It's horrible. (I think it's because El*mo seems so much smaller on the TV)
ReplyDeleteI agree... ignore the haters. You're an awesome parent.
it wouldn't be christmas without a few tears around santa! i don't remember what i said about the photos, but i too never had intentions of judging you! i think little bug will get a kick out of those photos someday. you are one of the best mammas i know and i learn so much from you.
ReplyDeleteps, i know you'll see this before you approve it - i noticed his real name is accidentally used in the previous comment. . .
I'm so sorry you received those comments. I saw those pictures... I don't remember if I commented or not but I thought they were cute. We haven't seen Santa yet but we already know our little guy is NOT going to love it. I'm sure we'll be getting a great crying picture also!
ReplyDeleteAren't pictures of kids crying on Santa's lap what Christmas is all about? I'm just saying......
ReplyDeletepeople suck.
ReplyDeletei dont remember what i said about the pics, but if it was something that sounded judgy and superior, then sorry i suck.
People judged you for this? What the what? I have not seen the photos but am now running over to the other blog to see. You are not a bad parent for wanting S to enjoy sitting on Santa's lap. He will ... eventually. Until then I agree that the tearful photos will be pretty fun to look at in years to come. S will have a good chuckle when he's older :)
ReplyDelete