and Santa
December 2, 2010 (Thursday)
The Houston Chronicle published 136 pictures of children crying on Santa’s lap. One of them even showed the mother crying too. What’s up with this? The fact is, many small children are terrified by being placed in the arms of this big old guy with a beard like no other and wearing clothes like no one else. And who says,”Ho Ho Ho” in normal conversation?
I suppose the lesson for parents is, “Be sure your child is old enough to appreciate the experience of sitting on Santa’s lap and asking him for stuff.” The really little guys don’t get it, and the experience sometimes scares them.
So why do we insist on doing it anyway, tears and all? We do it for the picture. What we want is a photograph of our baby smiling or laughing while sitting on Santa’s lap. What we get many times is a photographic record of well..you know. Never mind. The kid’ll get over it.
Isn’t it amazing how much a 79-year-old grandpa knows about raising kids? That’s just one of the many subjects about which I am an expert. But, don’t worry, all us old folks will keep quiet. We don’t want the little kids to miss out on the experience of having parents who learn with them what life is all about. God’s infinite wisdom gives young people the privilege of raising the kids. I can’t speak for other older people, but I’m occupied with new duties every day, like right now I’ve gotta scrape this Cream of Wheat off my shirt.