Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Paige-Is there a Santa Claus??!!

One of the few moments in my life where I didn't know how to respond or what to say. Yesterday, while driving in the car Paige and I had quite a deep discussion. This is how it began... Paige: "Mom, is Santa Claus real?" Me: "Do you think he is?" Paige: "I don't know. I believe in Christmas magic though." Me: "That's good. Santa lives in your heart as long as you believe." Paige: "Well, who made Santa? Did Heavenly Father make Santa or did Santa make himself?" Me: "Heavenly Father created all of us, so I guess He made Santa too." Paige: "Okay so then did Heavenly Father give Santa the magic too?" Me: "I don't know where the magic comes from. But miracles happen all year round and happen a lot around the Christmas time too. So I would say the magic is called the Christmas spirit or the magic of Christmas so it would come from Heavenly Father." Paige: "So is Santa a REAL person?" Me: me changing the subject...."Oh Paige, what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?!" Paige: "Polly pocket with the dolphins and slide." Me: (by now I'm so flustered I totally almost ruin everything)! "Where would I find that? I've never seen one before." Paige: "Mom, Santa makes all the toys with his elves so he knows already!" Me: "Oh, that's right. Totally." WHO IS THIS CHILD?!?! lol She amazes me and challenges me intellectually already and she's only 5! Do I tell her about Santa already? I guess it's all me, I don't want to ruin it for me and crush her either. She can't question Santa until she's at least 10! I can totally imagine her announcing at school, "Guess what?! Santa is NOT real!" Then I will have a bunch of angry parents after me! lol Any suggsestions on what to do or say? I actually tried to call my mom and have her answer Paige's questions, but couldn't get a hold of her. ahhhhh!

2 comments:

The Osborne Family said...

Benjamin has been asking questions for a couple years now but doesn't REALLY want to know the truth.
Last year, he decided that it was impossible for one man to travel all over the world in one night and deliver gifts to every child. I asked him how he thought it happened and, after a minute, he told me that Santa must have lots of helpers in every town to get it done.
I told him he was right and asked if he wanted to hear how Santa got started. He did, so I told him about St. Nicholas. He thought that was pretty neat and was satisfied with his conclusions.
I'm expecting more questions this year. I suspect he does know but wants to believe. We put a lot of emphasis on giving and not much on Santa (Santa only does the stocking stuffers at our house) or receiving (we've cut down on the number of presents our kids get) and Benjamin enjoys being one of Santa's helpers by giving presents to kids who are less fortunate.

Mandi said...

I think you did a great job. I remember my parents told me that if I didn't believe in the spirit of Santa Clause then there would be no presents from Santa. I'm still a believer. I dread the day of that conversation. Five is way too young to be thinking of that stuff. She is way too intellectual for me but with that intellect comes understanding also. She's an awesome little girl and you've raised her to be that way. Keep doing what you're doing.