Santa’s Last Visit
You never know when it’s his last
Every parent with a small child is confronted with the dilemma of whether or not to indulge in the childhood fantasies of make-believe characters. The Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and of course Santa Claus all populate this imaginary world and provide a certain enchantment for both the child and the parents.
Some parents decide to forego the childhood menagerie of these classic characters, and instead opt to just be truthful with their children. They learn early on that there is no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy, and of course, no Santa Claus. In their world, the Easter eggs, money for tooth loss, and Christmas presents come from their parents, and not fictional childhood characters.
While it is definitely a parent’s right and prerogative whether or not to nurture these childhood fantasies, I have always felt a little sorry for the kids whose parents tell them these characters don’t exist. I think imbibing in a little fantasy makes life more colorful and fun, and it contributes to a child’s sense of creativity. Besides being fun, it’s harmless.
When my son was born, there was no question in my mind whether or not he would have these characters in his childhood. I never gave it a second thought. The Easter Bunny was going to bring him a basket of candy, the Tooth Fairy would damn…
