This post is for Tara Lara’s Gallery – the theme this week is ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’.
I took the 6 year old to see Santa last week. As we approached the sparkly grotto I noticed that the present buckets, that Mrs Claus was guarding, were aged 3-6 and 7+. Eager for him not to be disappointed by a toy that could potentially be suitable for a toddler, like last year, I said to him “When Mrs Claus (the present giver) asks how old you are just say you’re 7 or nearly seven”.
He is seven in a months time, but none the less I kind of asked my boy to lie … to The Big Man. As soon as I’d said it I wished I hadn’t spoken.
He sat next to Santa, eyeing the wonky beard suspiciously and Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas – he told him he wanted a bike. A good start. Then Santa, NOT Mrs Claus, asked him how old he was.
Time stood still as the 6 year old looked from Santa to me, eyes wide. He said ‘7’ as quietly as he could. Santa didn’t hear him so he had to say it again in a louder voice much to his internal horror.
And right there, he lied to Santa because I told him to.
When we got home he’d obviously been thinking about whether he’d be getting a stocking with a lump of coal and a mouldy clementine at the bottom the lie and said “That wasn’t the real Santa was it?” My buttocks clenched once more as I realised that the slippery slope of Christmas lies is covered in black ice, I ventured in with “Well as you know Father Christmas is very busy at this time of the year and he has some stand ins to help out”. A look of relief swept over my boy as he realised that he hadn’t actually lied to THE Santa Claus “Anyway, he didn’t have a very good beard”.
My guilt runneth deep and I have since had a discussion with him about lying – especially when your mother tells you to.
Oh, and the present? It was some sort of car which required batteries – except even with batteries it didn’t work.
That’s what I call Christmas Karma.
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8 Comments on "The slippery slope of Christmas lies is covered in black ice …"
I’m having to force my 6 year old into believing in Santa this year, for the sake of his 3 year old brother oh and the fact that he’ll only recieve coal if he doesn’t! That seems to be doing the trick, for this year anyway!
Lovely story and forever more 2012 will be known as the year he lied to Santa!
I feel your pain…!
Been there and done it, Laura……..thanks for the print btw – just the job!
When I was a youth, I was told that sometimes Santa even hides presents in peoples’ houses in advance so that he doesn’t have to make as many trips back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve (after I found some wrapped presents from Santa early.)
Oh dear LOL At least he figured out it wasn’t the REAL Santa.
Tee hee – aww bless him.
Merry Christmas and hope Santa brings you many age appropriate toys xxx