Is Your Child Afraid of Santa?
Every year at this time well-meaning parents force their children to sit on the laps of strangers at shopping malls and tell them what they want for Christmas. It is a ritual and a tradition so ingrained in North American society that few parents think twice about the impact on the child; even if that child leaves Santa’s lap in tears.
For most children a visit to Santa will be a positive experience, if not at first, then eventually when the joy associated with Christmas is linked to the man in the red suit. However, for children with social anxiety disorder (SAD), sitting on Santa’s lap may never be the experience that you want for your child.
What can you do if your child is afraid of Santa?
Move on. If your child throws a fit when you near Santa’s village, ask yourself whether the visit to Santa is for you or for your child. Would she be just as happy looking at the Christmas tree or browsing the toy shop?
Though it may be hard to let go of a tradition that you feel is important, know that you can try again next year. If there is one thing for certain, Santa will be around again.
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Is Your Child Afraid of Santa? originally appeared on About.com Social Anxiety Disorder on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 11:26:06.