While children are waiting for gifts from Santa Claus, adults are wondering if it’s time to tell the truth about the bearded wizard. Many believe that he is a fairy tale that educated people should not cultivate. Educational psychologist Irina Vshivkova explains what is better, the bitter truth or the sweet lie.
If you are a realist and believe in the facts, you can tell your child that Santa Claus does not exist, this is just a game of actors. But do not forget that the New Year is not just a date, it is a fabulous time when you are waiting for a miracle. I would like to believe that everything you wish will come true with the chimes. Many parents act as miracle workers for their children, and they, in turn, live unforgettable New Year holidays. Whether it is worth taking away this faith is up to you.
Often children at the age of 5-6 already understand that there is a fairy tale and actors. Santa Claus as a symbol of a miracle on the eve of holidays is everywhere: in kindergarten, shops, on the streets. It is often seen that this is an ordinary living person. But in this case, an explanation can be found. For example, to tell that this is the messenger of a good wizard, whom he sent to your city.
The longer the child believes in Santa Claus, the more likely it is that in a difficult situation he will not give up
Belief in a good wizard keeps the child on a subconscious level with the idea that everything is possible. This is useful for an adult in a difficult situation, when there is only one thing left — to believe in a miracle. As Arthur Gray said: “I understood one simple truth. It is to do miracles with your own hands … «. The longer the child believes in Santa Claus, the more likely it is that in a difficult situation he will not give up. While he is writing letters and waiting for the bearded wizard, play this fairy tale with him. When he grows up and starts asking, you can read books about the history of Slavic mythology together, go to Veliky Ustyug and find your own family version of New Year’s traditions.
Children’s questions
Even those children who believe in Santa Claus sometimes ask questions that baffle their parents. Let’s take a look at a few.
How does Santa Claus do everything?
Of course, it is hard to believe that in one night and even the New Year holidays, grandfather can travel around all the children of our large country. That is why, with the beginning of winter, he opens the «School of Santa Clauses», where the most responsible assistants are invited. They will distribute New Year’s gifts to children in homes, shopping centers, kindergartens and schools. He visits every holiday and helps the students cope with the difficult task of finding a kind word and a welcome gift for each child.
«What does he do in summer and why doesn’t he melt?»
In December, he works intensively, travels to different cities, then goes on vacation for a month. He needs to sleep and rest. The remaining 10 months he works at his home residence at the North Pole.
It cannot melt, because it is always cold there, even on the warmest summer days the temperature never rises above +5. In this weather, we usually have snow outside. At home, Santa Claus is preparing for the next New Year: he listens to children’s dreams and helps toy and gift factories to fulfill them (suggests what children are waiting for).
He also oversees how guests are received at his residences in Russian cities. All residences must be open all year round so that every child can learn the history of the holiday and pass on a personal letter. For example, in Moscow this can be done in the Kuzminki park.
«Who brings gifts?»
In some families, there is confusion about who brings the gift. Father Frost? But if so, and parents have nothing to do with this, then why don’t they give anything from themselves? Or parents tell Santa Claus what to give? Or, on the contrary, does he send a gift through his parents? Or maybe he’s not here at all? Which option to choose?
It all depends on the age of the child. For young children, the legend that parents tell Santa Claus is good. An older child (from 2,5 years old) is already not enough with a gift from a bearded wizard, he also needs from his parents, which he will definitely declare after accepting all the presents. In this case, a good option would be when the wizard gives something at matinees, and parents and relatives are at home.
Santa Claus always fulfills the New Year wishes of children, but in the way he understood them
The way a gift is given is also important, as it teaches the child both how to give and how to receive gifts. For example, you can choose this path: before the holiday, parents put large boxes under the Christmas tree in a festive wrapper (you can use shoes), on each box there is a signature: mom, dad, and then all other family members are listed. Everyone can put gifts in this box for the one to whom they are intended, and after midnight everyone opens them at the same time.
Advice to Santa Claus
“A four-year-old daughter said that this New Year she would ask Santa Claus for either a brother or a cat. She is simply sure that he will fulfill at least one of the two desires. But the fact is that we did not plan a brother in any way, and my daughter is allergic to cat hair. So he, with all his desire, will not fulfill her dreams. How to explain this without destroying faith in the wizard?
Of course, Santa Claus always fulfills the New Year’s wishes of children, but in the way he understood them. Therefore, in this case, the way out is to give your daughter a big toy cat. In addition, you can look in the toy stores for «new generation» cats, which are very similar to real animals: they meow, walk on the floor, drink milk, react to the touch and voice of the owner. If the girl has a question why Santa Claus gave her just such a cat, explain that he specifically found one that does not cause allergies. Let unusual things into your life. Try together with your child in New Year’s turmoil to find a reason to believe in miracles.