Monday, November 26, 2012
Is Christmas Over Yet?
This weekend we put up our Christmas tree and all of our favorite decorations. It was fun for us all with reindeer ears on and wine in my hand. But then today my middle minion (5yrs) asked me to take down the Christmas tree, all the decorations and skip Christmas this year. My heart breaks for this minion. She does not like Christmas and the magic it brings. She believes so strongly that she is willing to give up any promise of presents to just make the big fat guy and his toy making elf stay away. She is terrified. Not scared, but terrified. No Christmas movies, no stories, she actually wants no Christmas. We can't have a countdown calendar because it makes her more anxious. It breaks my heart. If she was the only child I would just tell her the truth about all this Christmas stuff. About the hype it brings. I would tell her there is no Santa and that elves are not real either. I would strip all the magic so she can sleep at night. But I can't. I still have 2 other minions that are all excited about the promise of magic. The excitement of the season. Last night she was at my bedside at 1:30 sobbing with fear that the big guy was going to come even though we are over a month away. Last year, we taught the real meaning of Christmas. Celebrating the birth of Jesus in an attempt to redirect the attention, but she is stubborn. She is strong. And she will not let go of the magic she believes in so strongly it scares her. This will be another long holiday season for us. I will be undecorating on Dec 26th first thing in the morning and I will have one very eager helper to do so.
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Poor thing. Has it always been this way?
ReplyDeleteYes, since she has been old enough to "get" Christmas. NO ELF ON SHELVE HERE! Loved that post of yours, ha.
DeleteDid she have a bad experience with Santa? My son is seven, and has always had all kinds of irrational fears (he is ADD and possibly on the spectrum). We have never done Santa in our house, they haven't noticed, so we've just stayed away from it. My son probably would have been terrified of Santa at that age too. I hope it gets better for you! Christmas is such a fun time of the year-that has got to be hard!
ReplyDeleteNo bad Santa experiences as we stay away from the mall and all that hype. I think she doesn't like that he can "come and go" without being seen. Last year we wrote a letter to him asking him to leave the toys on the porch. This year it has not calmed the fear! Such a weird thing! I wonder if she will freak out about the tooth fairy when that time comes? Thanks for the support!
ReplyDeleteAww poor thing, that is so sad to hear. Does she freak out about the easter bunny too?
ReplyDeleteShe does not like him as a costume, but we don't do "Easter bunny" gifts here ever, so we haven't experienced the not wanting to sleep. She does usually does not want to see him.
DeleteReally when you think about it, The whole Santa thing IS a little creepy. Almost like a stalker cept different. And he doesn't take your stuff, he brings you stuff. Yeah, I can see it...
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about this....the more I agree with her too!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you guys can buy something and stick in the yard that will not allow anyone or anything free access to you house and Santa can only come in if you are around and let him. :) The best book I ever read that helped helping children overcome their fears is "Things that Go Bump in The Night" by Paul Warren and Frank Minirth. I learned stuff about me too reading that. They are good. They talk about fears not being logical so logic will not quell them. It seems helpful is you assure your child you will be with them through their fears that you will be their helpmate through it. It might help her to know that you control Santa... that he makes no moves without your approval... never. Let her know Santa answers to you and your husband. No one gets into this house without mom or dad's ok.
ReplyDeleteI understand that fear too. I don't want anyone in my house even if it appears they are doing good. Nope.... I'll let you in. If it means no good stuff if you have to not come in uninvited then I'll take the no good stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteYour daughter might be more logical than any of us. :)