A helpful letter for parents to tell their kids about Santa
As a parent, it is always difficult to know how to respond when your child comes to the age that they start asking about Santa Claus.
However, every child will ask the inevitable question at some stage “are you Santa”?
Mum Martha Brokenbrough was faced with this very same question by her daughter Lucy. Hoping to explain it to her little girl in a way that wouldn't ruin the magic of Christmas, Martha wrote a Lucy a very special letter.
A truly emotional read, we will be using this letter when the time comes in our house. *wipes eye
Dear Lucy,
Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: "Are you Santa?"
I know you've wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I've had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the Christmas magic stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won't make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful.
He teaches children how to have belief in something they can't see or touch.
It's a big job, and it's an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents, and in your family.
You'll also need to believe in things you can't measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he's filled with joy.
With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no, I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I'm on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mama
This piece was written by the very talented Martha Brokenbrough who has given Family Friendly HQ permission to publish. Check out her website. The letter will be also be published by Scholastic.