The Real Santa

Somehow Christmas gets done. The tree gets decorated, the presents get bought, the stockings get hung. Maybe we nail the family photo, maybe we don’t. Maybe we have matching outfits, maybe we don’t. Maybe we get to Church on time, maybe we don’t go at all. Maybe the kids go see Santa, or not. What’s the big deal about that? The guys at the malls aren’t the real Santa anyway. I didn’t take my toddler to see him this year. You can call me lazy even though laziness is a luxury I wish my pre-mom self had bequeathed to the current me. The truth is it seemed like a lot of work getting him to the mall, ripping my hair out trying to keep him calm in the long line up, and knowing that his mood will be a toss-up once our turn comes. Maybe I’ve ruined his childhood, I don’t know. At the last minute, I decided I should at least take the twins to meet him for their first Christmas. For one thing, the mall Santa by my house is so happy and kind of handsome. Plus, my toddler had a photo with him for his first Christmas so it’s only fair that his brothers get one. I figured it’s okay if he doesn’t go this year since he doesn’t know much about Christmas yet, so it’s not like he’s asking for it. It will add no value to his happiness. So why am I even writing about it? Because I feel the mildest bit of guilt and it is so annoying! The three nagging nuisances of parenthood: guilt, worry, and doubt. Often parents ask other parents if parenting gets easier. Some say it doesn’t, others say you get used to it and learn to handle it better. Of course you always hear that adage small kids small problems, big kids big problems. Blah, blah, blah! Don’t tell me that things aren’t easier once you get rid of car seats and diapers. Don’t tell me it doesn’t get easier once they can go up and down the stairs un-chaperoned and fetch their own snacks. I get that other problems come up but I for one am dreaming of the day when I can go for a dinner, a movie, or a haircut without trying to orchestrate top notch security for the three tiny presidents that run our household. The point is every outing is an ordeal whether we are going with or without the kids. So I really didn’t make an effort for the photos this year. I think two things make parenting easier. One is to accept that the three nuisances will creep into every serious and silly aspect of parenting. The second is to keep things simple. If something doesn’t suit my family, we just don’t do it. We can’t know where we will be tomorrow, next month, or next Christmas. We can only hope to be together, healthy, happy, and carefree, in matching outfits on the handsome Santa’s lap. We got Christmas done this year and even when we keep things simple it takes a lot of effort, with a side of wine. Who put up the Christmas tree? I did. Who wrapped all the presents? I did. Who handmade the kids’ first Christmas ornaments? I did. Who shared most of the advent calendar chocolates with her toddler this year? I did. Who brought happiness and cheer? We did. In the end, my son did get his photo with Santa. Not the mall Santa, but the real Santa. The real Santa is the best. Parents are the real Santa. Therefore, parents are the best. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good wine! I mean good night!