We have always known that Elijah Brooks is a logical child. He has always been very easy to reason with, explain things to, talk things out with, and be honest with. He is an "old soul" in a little boy's body.
With Christmas quickly approaching, so does the issue of Santa. It matters not to me what people choose to do or not do in their homes with Santa - so I am not going to start a discussion or debate. We have always "played the game" with our kids, but in a low-key kind of way. We don't make a big deal about Santa, but we play along. So far, Elijah Brooks has been very nonchalant about the whole thing. He had no clue when he was 1 and 2, and when he was 3 he was just excited to see his train table in the middle of the room but still had no clue that "Santa" brought it. He just didn't care quite frankly. And then last year at age 4, he seemed to enjoy playing along alittle more, but was still pretty low-key about it all, which was fine. When we would go to various places where "Santa" was visiting, he would hop right on up on his lap and tell him what he wanted with a very quizzical look on his face like, "why am I telling this man dressed up in a costume what I want for Christmas"?
So fast forward 6 months....., a little girl in his class from last year told him that Santa is not real. For a few weeks during the summer, the conversation would come up and he would seem pretty upset about the comment, but would quickly get over it going back to his own logical thoughts about the whole thing. Up until this point, we have been so neutral about whether or not we should say anything to him...., we never said, "yes or no". He never came right out and asked us, so we didn't say anything - not sure that is wise, but it's just what we did!
Well yesterday, at the tender age of 5 (when most kids are just beginning to even grasp the concept of Santa and actually enjoy it), our child marches into our bedroom declaring that he has decided that Santa is not real. I asked him why he thought that and he responded, "I saw Santa 3 times this weekend at 3 different places and he looked different in each place. He's just a man dressed up in a costume, and I don't think that he can fit down a chimney. Now come on Mom, just tell me the truth"! I was tongue-tied (probably for the first time in my entire life) and had no clue how to respond. I didn't want to ruin something for him, or his cousins or friends, but didn't want to lie either - moral dilemma! So what does brilliant mom do - change the subject and shuffle him out the door to school. Turns out that might have not been the best decision.
I received a phone call from the Director of the preschool telling me that Elijah Brooks announced to the class that Santa is not real!!!!!!!! Apparently a child in his class told his/her mom and that mom called the director. Oh gracious! I politely said that we play the game, but are very low-key about it, but have never told him the truth. Anything that was said, he came up with on his own after thinking about it himself. I told her I was just thankful she wasn't calling to tell me he had gotten hurt or in a fight! She asked if we would just remind him not to talk about Santa at school because some children believe and others do not.
Had to write this one down to remember years down the road.
Oh, how I love my boy's mind and his "old soul"!
Merry Christmas my little buddy!
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