Dad doesn't see point of taking 6 month old to see father christmas

[Suzy4321]

Hi, my husband is great with our daughter (6months old today). But I booked too see Santa and he thinks it's a waste of time and money. He doesn't really see the point. I know she won't know but I want a first photo etc , but he is so negative. Even down to presents he says she has lots of toys why buy more for Christmas. She don't know. Please understand he is great with her and always buying bits and playing with her. Feeling down with trying to convince him! I want him to come along but i don't want him moaning. Anyone been in similar situations?

I agree with your dh.

neither of mine have ever liked people dressed up as santa or characters or anything

they are fine with other people just not those dressed up.

chances are she will just scream. her head off rather than the happy 1st Xmas pic your assuming you will get.

He's right. Totally pointless.

Forgot to add I do buy small bits for a stocking so she has something to open, just not a big present!

I've never had a photo taken of DS with Santa. I didn't realise it was a thing. I never took him either when he was little, Santa came to visit him at nursery and I was pleased about a job I didn't have to do! I must be weird

I do get why you want to make memories though, and just don't go overboard with the presents

I absolutely agree with Milk.

DD is 4 and this is the first year we have actually booked to see Santa. From the ages of 18 months to 3 I had to comfort her during Santa's appearance at the Toddlers' Group Christmas party because she was scared of him!

Of course not all small children are scared of Santa, but at 6 months when she'll be confused at best, why risk having her scream the place down?

if he doesn't go I'll bet he's sorry at some point.

Didn't take mine at that age and nope not sorry.

OP I agree with your DH I'm afraid

I agree with you about the presents OP. On Christmas Day DS was given enough plastic noisy shit to open a toy shop.

But I don't agree with you about Santa. The first big lesson I learnt about motherhood is that it's not all about me anymore and there's enough anecdotal evidence to say that the Santa visit is a bad idea. DS went on to love Santa visits for about 7 years.

we never booked to see santa we just happened by his grotto in a couple of places but it was never really a thing. However, I did buy shit loads a few presents for him on his first Christmas (he was six weeks old) and I'm sure my xh still has pictures of him smiling at those shiny wrapped presents and we convinced ourselves that he enjoyed the moment. who cares really that the baby won't remember. you will. Personally I wouldn't book to see santa, but if you want to buy presents, then why not?

Incidentally, one of the presents I bought for ds' first Christmas was a bear from mothercare called "my first teddybear" it became ds' favourite bear for years and years and is still in his bedroom somewhere now (he's thirteen).

Gosh. My two are 3 and 5 and they've never been [shocking parent emoticon] We lucked out last year as John Lewis had a Santa wandering around dispensing chocolate coins and he made their day. The older already queries that they can't all be real so I don't really see the point to be honest.

If it's something you want to do then do it though. Don't let yourself be one of those browbeaten women who toes the line because their partner doesn't fancy it. Just arrange to go with someone else if you want company.

First Christmas and for a few always feel a bit weird as you are constantly buying them toys and stuff. It's nice to get something a bit special for when they are older for example.

I disagree with other posters. At 6mo my daughter didn't care that Santa was holding her and we have a lovely picture. Now she's 18 months old and more aware I'm considering not taking her because she will either or point black refuse to go anywhere near him

Get the photos, get the presents - if you can afford it then who cares!!! Enjoy her first Christmas.

** either scream the place down

I agree with your DH, save it 'til next year and she'll be old enough to appreciate it.

I've just realised this will be DD1's 3rd Christmas and I've never taken her to see Santa!

Definitely with the dh on this. Problem is, you have a whole 'happy family together at xmas' picture in your head so its a shame he wont go along with it. It'd be shit tho cos he'd be grumpy, baby'd cry, queues'll be massive etc

Don't let yourself be one of those browbeaten women who toes the line because their partner doesn't fancy it. Just arrange to go with someone else if you want company.

so just because OP DH has an opinion that differs to OP she will become a 'browbeaten' woman who toes the line.

People are actually allowed to disagree. DH is entitled to his opinion just as much as OP is

Oh bless you. I think we're all a bit guilty of doing things like this when we have our first babies (whether it's xmas or something else).

Just take her and see how it goes, if she doesn't like it then you can just leave, he's not wrong and you're not wrong. Just one of those things. Have a lovely Christmas!

We decided to wait until our DD could choose to go or not.
I'd rather her be 5 and happy to see Santa than younger and forced to, it'll just link Santa with fear and cause much upset.

But that's us and our DD. You do what you feel is right OP.
How does your DC react to strangers? How do they react to people in costumes? Etc etc.

my DD's 5 and she's only seen Santa at nursery so far. I love that photo Milk were you tempted to print it out and use it as a Christmas card the next year? OTOH, i can't see any harm, yes the baby may cry, babies cry. Your DH isn't being relentlessly negative though!

I agree with dh. Especially about the presents. I got kids something v v small, just so they had something.

We missed first xmas with Santa (twins were a few months old), but had a pic for second Christmas (by chance at a Xmas fair). Do I ever look at this pic?! Nah.

I really wouldn't bother and would give your Santa ticket to someone you know who may like it.

I took my DD aged 2 last year and it was ok, didn't regret not doing it sooner however I did buy a Bauble with a photo of us with Father Christmas in as a memento and aged 6 months my DD loved twinkly lights.

If you want to do it then do it! btw my DH wasn't up for it and didn't come along.

If he doesn't go I'll bet he's sorry at some point What point, exactly? He'll very likely never think about it again just like everyone else
What on earth would make you look back in sorrow on a non event like that?

He sounds like an involved dad and I reckon he will be sorry next year when he goes and realises he's missed her first Santa visit. My dh would have anyway.

We may be more sentimental than most of my though but you know, that's fine. It's not a bad thing. Sniping at things that matter to other people, even if they don't to you, calling them non events - that's not very pleasant though is it?