You all don't even know how AMAZING it to have this picture to put on our blog. A simple picture with Santa? No way. No how.This little girl we call Eve, or occasionally "Miss Thing" is terrified (in every sense of that word) of any costumed person. Terrified to the point of shaking, crying, hiding her face, completely panic-stricken. She's always been this way. And tonight was no different.
She understood that one of our intentions for the evening was to see Santa Claus. And she was fine with this fact until we actually saw him and made a move to talk with him. Then she lost it. Completely. Daniel and I talked to her, we explained, we comforted - nothing doing. As we started to leave it hit me. We were allowing her to be afraid and it needed to stop.
There is a time and a place for us to indulge her fears- to an extent. For us, as her parents, to be understanding with the fact that she's not going to be alright with certain aspects of life. But, in this instance, she needed to face her fear head on. It was Santa for goodness sake. We explained to her that we were going to take her into the store, that she needed to look Santa in his eyes, say "hi" - to have a polite conversation, then we would go.
It was amazing to watch the transformation of her countenance as she realized he was a really nice man. And most certainly not one to be feared. It helped immensely that he gave her a pencil, a lollipop and a coloring book. These items are serious currency in Eve's world.
When we took a break from the encounter to retrieve the new pajamas we had brought for the donation box next to Santa, I explained to her that after we returned I was going to take a picture of her sitting on Santa's lap. And she did amazing. A little stiff perhaps, but she tried to smile, she really tried. And I was so proud. So proud of her courage.
Judah was a little more skeptical of this big guy in the red suit. He wasn't real sure what to make of him. But, if his "Ce-Ce" was okay sitting on Santa's lap then he was going to be too. 
He lit right up when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas. Apparently he wants "Fwosty!". Eve answered that same question with "a Rudolph the red nosed reindeer toy". Doable, don't you think!In the end, I am thrilled that Eve experienced the opportunity to respond to Santa's question. It was worth the frigid 15 degrees, the tears, and the difficulty in making her do something she was so afraid of. Simply to see her face when it was all said and done.
Eve is terrified no more!
13 Comments:
Madison was scared of Santa until she was 6 yrs old....we didn't get a picture of her with him until then...6 long years. Now she thinks she is too big for him. But she still believes and I wont ruin that for her.
Wow, that is so great! I think that you handled it amazingly...had Eve face her fear! K is very sensitive and seems to have some similar fears. It's good to know that at an age they understand you can talk them through the fear and walk them through to the other side! Great job Eve!! Maybe someday we will have a similiar experience!
Nicholas just recently started being ok with costumed people. He was terrified of anything in a costume, I remember last year we went to Toys R Us during Easter and the Easter bunny was there, Nicholas ran the other way screaming, only Jasmine took a picture with the bunny cause Nic wouldn't go near him.
Loved the photos of the kids with Santa, those are just precious :)
Hugs,
Sandra
My girls have always been scared of people in costumes & Alli now being 7 just came out of it. Shannon is a little scared still but then again she's only 2 & scared of most stranges anyway. LOL!
But, good for you & good for Eve!! Now she can enjoy it all more. I just love Judah's face in these pictures!!
Good job. It's so hard to know when to say "Ok, you don't feel comfortable so you don't have to", and when to say, "It's time to face this one."
Out of curiosity, what do you tell your kids about Santa?
atta girl! she did a good job. and you gotta love the pic where judah is checkin santa out...priceless!
yay Eve on overcoming your fears! I think seeing characters all dressed up and in "real life" is a bit scary for most kids - they can be quite overwhelming! Kayla sat on Santa's lap just the other day; she was excited to see him, but when it was her turn she didn't seem to sure, you could see the apprehension on her face!
Judah looks like he's enjoying himself though!
Bravo! Wonderful! Way to be a great parent! We had an experience kind of like that with our little niece. Parenting must be so hard. I can't wait to try it!
That's great! We have had a similar situation with Kole. This year he wouldn't even shake his hand. Congrats to Eve! Great pics, as usual. :)
Those are great pics. My kids have been scared of santa, too. Not sure what this year will be like, but we're going to try a photo with all three kids and Santa!!
That's wonderful. We have a picture of my little sister screaming while the Easter Bunny is trying to hold her. She wanted nothing more than to get away from the gigantic rabbit lol.
Glad you talked to Eve and she was able to face her fear that's a very important lesson to learn especially as a child.
Did they let you take pictures with your camera or did you have to buy the ones they took? Just wondering. I want to get one of Jericho with Santa but it's like $25 (not what I want to spend $$ on right now) and I didn't ask if I could just take one with my camera, I should have, I was afraid, maybe I could learn a few things from Eve.
It's so good that you stretched her in that way. I mean you want to be sympathetic, but at the same point, you've got to teach her to overcome scary things! Way to go mom!! (and Eve!!) By the way, did I tell you I love you're kids names?!? Do you have one picked out for the one on the way?
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