Santa is One Scary Dude

on December 7, 2008 at 1:00 PM

photo by

We just got back from a nice brunch with Santa. It was my baby's first time meeting him, and I wasn't sure how she was going to react, but she's usually very friendly and happy. I had been showing her Santa pictures all week and saying "ho, ho, ho," and she seemed to like him a lot. But today she took one look at the real Santa and burst into tears. Uh-oh. That's the moment captured on camera, which is still pretty adorable.

Still, I'm wondering what upset her. She knows lots of men, and men with beards, and men with beards and glasses. But come to think of it, she doesn't know any men with beards and glasses in red velvet suits. Must have been the suit! Actually, I'm chalking it up to lack of a nap. But if your baby is afraid of Santa, and you're wondering why and how you should handle his or her fear, Cafe Cynthia has expert advice in the Toddler Buzz's Scared of Santa.

I'd still like to get a photo of my baby smiling in Santa's lap so maybe we'll try again at the mall this week.

Has your baby met Santa yet? How did he or she react?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

momma2JD

on Dec 7, 2008 at 4:06 PM

My little girl (11 months old) burst into tears and did her quiver lip today when we got near Santa. We also have been showing her pictures and she loves to see him on TV, guess it is the suit or just to overwhelming. My son actually sat on Santa's lap for the first time today and he is 5 yrs old. Best of luck to you and it is a pretty good picture!

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doulala

on Dec 7, 2008 at 7:10 PM

I prefer the idea of keeping Santa mysterious (like elves~ like the elf that he is). That magic is a beautiful part of childhood. Letting children imagine what he is like, what he looks like, how he sounds, helps them to feel good about his existance. And it fosters creativity! ;-) So we avoid anywhere that an impersonator might be.

I have heard that "Santas" do scare many children with their overbearing presense and sometimes artificial beards. Most strangers are not so "big," and keep to themselves. "Santas" are big in shape, big in color, big in personality, and then they get in the child's personal space (often put in his lap by a parent). :- /

I wouldn't want that person in my space, either, lol!

badpenny74

on Dec 7, 2008 at 9:18 PM

My 16 month old will not go near him! She flips out. I think it's because she knows how important he is, and just doesn't know how to react when she is near him. NERVES!

laura7485

on Dec 8, 2008 at 10:21 PM

My 9 month old LOVED him..my 2 yo..not so muh...

Mama0f3grlz

on Dec 10, 2008 at 3:47 PM

My kids don't believe in Santa but there are plenty of pictures of me screaming bloody murder in Santa or the Easter Bunny's lap as a baby. I hate anything with a mask or heavy makeup, anything where their face is obscured.