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Santa's Helpers by
Tash Hughes of Love Santa
There is only one Santa, and he lives at the North
Pole watching children’s behaviour and creating toys.
Or so the story goes!
At some point in November, Santas start appearing
in shopping centres, parties and even kinders/childcare
centres. Sometimes, there are multiple Santas in the
same shopping centre or department store.
Then children get confused and start asking how Santa
can be in so many places at once – and the more astute
children will also note that Santa looks a little different
in each place, too. It can get hard to explain the presence
of so many Santas if there is only one.
With the youngest of children, and those with a strong
faith in Santa, a quick distraction or change of subject
may be enough for them to forget these confusions. Some
parents even come up with stories of Santa moving fast
to get to a new place before parent and child managed
it.
This year, instead of trying to change the subject
or distracting your child when asked “so many Santa”
questions, try explaining the following.
1. Santa is very busy leading
up to Christmas. He has presents to organise and reindeer
to feed and care for, plus he has to keep an eye on
all those boys and girls to see who’s being naughty
or nice…
2. Santa invites some special
people to the North Pole where he trains them as his
helpers. Elves, of course, are too small to fill in
for Santa which is why Santa brings in people.
3. Santa continues preparing
for Christmas Eve and his helpers spend time with children
in the shops and other places
Knowing Santa has helpers reduces children’s confusion
and allows them to keep their faith for longer.
If you explain the helpers to your child, tell them
not everyone knows how Santa can be in so many places
at once. This lets your child feel important – and more
likely to keep from blurting it out (with their own
twists and interpretations!) to younger siblings and
friends.
Delight a special child this
Christmas with a personalised letter from Love Santa,
or share your Christmas stories and traditions in the Love Santa blog.
Simply complete an online form with some details about
your child, and they’ll get an individual letter relating
to a hot Australian Christmas and listing their good
deeds. All letters are written by professional writer
Tash Hughes. This article is copyright by Tash Hughes,
2007, but may be reproduced in full as long as nothing
is changed and this bio box is included.
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