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So we went to the mall yesterday to meet Santa, and get a photo with him. 2 toddlers on Santa’s lap, smiling, how cute will that be, we thought. Well, we got there, and my 3 yr old son jumped on his lap and chatted away grinning, no problem. My 2 yr old daughter took one look at him and clung to my leg wailing,”I don’t like that man!” All sights of our smiling Christmas cards went out the window in an instant. I suggested she sit next to her brother. Not a chance. Santa suggested she sit on the other side of her brother on the armrest. Not a chance. She clung to me for dear life and wouldn’t let go. Santa suggested a family photo with EVERYONE, and so our toddler photo with Santa turned into the whole family with Santa photo. And a grumpy little girl who couldn’t wait to leave.
What would you do if your toddler point blank refused to sit with Santa?
It got me thinking. Everything in me wanted to glue her bum to his other knee for 2 seconds and have her say ‘CHEESE’, but if all her little girl instincts are shouting otherwise, is that wrong? I read in Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson earlier this year, that little girls have instincts about people. If they never want to hug uncle George or grandpa or the friendly neighbour next door, as embarassing as it may be for us, we should respect that instinct. In time it may change to a more trusting one, but if we overwrite every ‘HELL NO’ instinct she has, it teaches her to not trust on her gut feel/instinct. I found that interesting! So I smiled sweetly when she tuned Santa ‘I don’t like that man’ and put her on my lap, swallowed my embarasment and let the photo turn into a family one for the sake of my baby girl’s instincts. It turned out okay, me thinks 🙂
Marie Oliveira says
I love this! That’s a great approach. One of my girls freezes when ever a man she’s not familiar with talks to her. She starts whimpering and won’t move. I’ve had men take offense to it, but I won’t apologize, I just explain that she’s like that with most men so they shouldn’t take it personally. I actually really like that she is this way.
Heidi de Jesus Ferreira says
That’s awesome, I wish my kids were like that more! My son’s SOO trusting and goes with and to anyone, it freaks me out, I have to have constant talks with him about ‘bad’ people!!
Nicolette Roux says
I love this pic! Wishing we had a Santa here to pop in by! hehe
Heidi de Jesus Ferreira says
Would daddy make a good santa? hehe 🙂
Homemaker Mummy says
I have to totally agree with allowing your daughter to follow her instincts. I was taught that when I became an Infant massage instructor. It’s extremely important for kids to know what they feel is OK & that it is OK to say no..& teaches them that if someone touches them inappropriately they will say no.. & with parental support they will always confide in you about it : )
Heidi de Jesus Ferreira says
Awesome! 🙂 It is so important, I am learning that more and more as my little miss grows up!
Heidi de Jesus Ferreira says
Too true! 🙂