A Christmas Conversation
The following is a conversation I had with my son, Josh, when he was 5 years old:
Josh: Does Santa die? Why doesn’t he die?
Me: Maybe he’s magical. What do you think?
Josh: I don't know. I just want to see if you know. I guess I don’t believe in Santa cause how can it be if he doesn’t die.
Me: What about the Santa in the Mall?
Josh: I don’t think he’s real, Mum. I think he’s just trying to make kids happy.
Me: Well, maybe that’s the magic. Whether Santa is alive or in spirit, he still makes kids happy.
Josh: Nobody’s magical, Mum. Not even you and me.
Me: Oh yes! Everyone’s magical.
Josh: Then why can’t I make a puddle disappear?
I told Josh it was magical that we even got born and that everyone is magical in different ways and to different degrees. I gave him some examples of people having healing powers, Yogis levitating, and the miracles that Jesus was said to perform. He lit up and listened intently before saying, “Tell me another one, Mum."
Photo: Josh, who is 26 years old now, and his cousin on Santa’s lap.
Comments
What cute children! I had similar conversations with my three. Soon, it will be time to have those same conversations with my grandkids.
Posted by: kenju | December 20, 2005 9:26 AM
I like the way you dealt with this inevitable but difficult question. My mom handled it very well too. So well... that I still believe in Santa Claus.. just a little bit. :-)
Posted by: Simply Coll | December 20, 2005 10:34 AM
Great response. My 5yo has been told that I am really Santa Claus, but he still likes to believe. :)
~K!
Posted by: Kismet | December 20, 2005 12:43 PM
Cute pics. That was a great answer......My 10 yo girls still believe or say they do....
Posted by: Nancy | December 20, 2005 1:26 PM
I love that everyone is magic. That is such a sweet conversation.
Posted by: running2ks | December 20, 2005 4:46 PM
What a cutie Josh is.....he looks like a doll. I miss the young years and especially at Christmas. xoxo
Posted by: Sherry | December 20, 2005 5:41 PM
he was a cutie.. I've yet to receive any questions like that. my kids so far just accept that Santa is real. My son, who is alot like me, questions God more than he does Santa. He will be 5 years old Dec 27. And already has his questions. His sister being the big know it all told him God is real just because he is..
Posted by: Ivy | December 20, 2005 7:20 PM
Do tell us another one, please :-)
Posted by: Janet | December 20, 2005 8:20 PM
Nyssa never asked about Santa. Of course it helped that he left his shoe prints on the carpet from the fireplace in the den to the livingroom. (Cut a big boot pattern out of cardboard, put it down, sprinkle baking soda around it and pick it up. Instant snow and boot print. Doesn't hurt the carpet either)
Both boys are cuties. (I bet they really, really hate to hear people say that now)
Posted by: srp | December 20, 2005 9:33 PM
I believe in the magic of communication between a mother and her son. Sometimes even that's a miracle. No wonder I can't make puddles disappear!
Posted by: Jennifer | December 20, 2005 10:25 PM
Hi Col, I never really liked pretending the santa stuff once my kids started to question. My answers were similar to yours. I recall telling them that it is a myth. The kids continued to like the myth, so it changed nothing. I still sign most of the gifts "santa" even though, as you know, my youngest is now 22. P.S. Josh is such a cutie pie!
Posted by: Kathy AKA Ben | December 21, 2005 12:14 AM
It is amazing that he already suspected that Santa was NOT real, at 5 years old! I love that you finally got through to him on all the magical yhings that people are...Kids seemed to know so much more even 20 years ago!
Josh sure was adorable...and I bet he still is!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | December 21, 2005 5:21 AM
Great, magical conversation!
Posted by: Elissa Malcohn | December 22, 2005 12:58 AM