Not taking my 13month dc to see Santa - anyone else?

[Beachwaves127]

As the title says I’m not taking my 13 month to see Santa for various reasons but primarily due to time and the cost (I don’t want to spend lots on an experience she won’t remember). I didn’t really think much of it to be honest. But now the social media posts have started with everyone’s baby and Santa….. I’m feeling bad!!!

Anyone else not taking small dc to see Santa for the experience / photo opp?

When dc is old enough I’d love to do a Santa experience such as a train or etc so I’d prefer to wait until then and save the Money for this.

Eurgh I hate Instagram sometimes.

DS has just turned 2 and hasn't been to see Santa, not planning to this year either as he wouldn't understand it yet. Instagram parenting peer pressure is definitely a thing though!

Totally up to you but tbh Im so glad I took mine as a baby as it's lovely to look back on the photos and my now 4 year old enjoys seeing the photos. I didn't pay for a big experience or outfit just took him when he was a baby to local charity one which you just gave a donation to and took your own picture on the phone. If you're able to pop in to a local one I would as you never get the time back

Your baby is too young to appreciate it so I don't blame you for not taking her.

I don't like the Santa myth being propagated but see nothing wrong with going to Santa's grotto when a child is older, as long as they know it is just a bit of fun, part of a tradition.

That’s a good point. Completely forgot that I did take baby to the village Christmas tree light switch on (it’s a little event) the other week. Thanks for reminding me 😃. But the bad Instagram mother I am I forgot to pap any pictures as I was too busy talking to some other mums I bumped into that I hadn’t seen in a while

Never done it, probably never will as I don’t see the point. Definitely not at that age - maybe when they’re about 6?

I've been parenting for over 20 years and have yet to take a child to "see Santa". It's fine.

4 is a good age to go to see Santa. If you go much earlier they are often scared. If you leave it much later someone will tell them Santa is not real and it will be spoiled.

Good grief - I'm pretty sure the only Santas my kids have seen were the headmaster dressed up at the school Christmas fair, and the one on the Round Table float that comes round every year (and it's compulsory to run out into the street in your pyjamas to see him!).
Do (or don't do) what you want and don't stress ❤️

A pic with Santa makes good insta content, even if the child hates it and has no idea what's going on. Good SM practice and good parenting are not the same.

I didn't take any of mine that young (well, maybe the youngest as she had to come along when we were taking the older two). there's no point at that age, they won't have the foggiest idea what is going on.

However, it seems the issue here is Instagram rather than Father Christmas.
Fine for everyone to choose whatever social media they want to use, but go in with both eyes open, and take it for what it is. No-one think Instagram is a diary of daily life.

Do or don’t take her. She won’t give a shit at this age, and no one else gives a shit either, despite what Instagram might have you thinking. Do what you think is right/what you want/what you can afford - the only opinion that matters!

I think waiting until she’s older and doing one of the more immersive train experiences sounds lovely.

What you see on social media is hardly ever what happens in real life - that "perfect" photo on Instagram/FB/whatever is probably one of about 60 snaps taken.

As @NoCloudsAllowed says, good SM practice and good parenting are not the same.

Do exactly what you want to do, without the external influence/pressure factor - for what it's worth, my DS is 3 and hasn't been to "see" Santa yet. He was more bothered about the Christmas lights on the house opposite being switched on last night.

Mine are nearly teens now and I’ve still not taken them. They’re fine 🙂

Genuine socialising? No Instagram points, sorry!

Don't feel bad! Mine didn't at that age either. He went to one for first time when he was two and that was because we went to toddler group once a week and Santa was there one week 😄

When he was 3 we did a Christmas experience at a farm for the first time and that was great. Less the santa but he did the build a bear, decorated gingerbread, that sort of thing. Anything before that and the paid experiences aren't worth it for the child at all I don't think! Just a photo op for the parents. If that's worth the £ that is fine! Just I wouldn't bother personally

I took my 11 month old last year but only because my friend had booked to go with her (older) daughter but they were ill so we were gifted them. It was OK and I thought he would enjoy it more when a bit older so I booked to take him this year (23 months), took him today and he tantrumed the whole time while in the queue and then wasn't even a little bit bothered about Santa, had more fun running around the garden centre afterwards. So my point is, good choice and I wouldn't bother 😂

LOL

I feel the same. Mine are 7 months and 2 next week. No point. Going go a lights trail instead, which we went to last year and everyone will enjoy

Tho, we're actually going to nursery xmas party on Saturday as it's only £5 for all of us, lots of bits and bobs soft play, bouncy castle, disco etc etc and within that they actually get to meet Santa. But that wasn't my intention and have purposefully not booked any grotto etc. They're too young!

Returning with dispatches from the Grotto, just took my 13 mo to see Santa

(side note it was also MY first time seeing Santa)

He hated the queue, I didn’t bring enough entertainment and he was getting really bored. He was getting really grouchy and I was thinking “I’ve made a terrible mistake” BUT THEN

When we finally went into the Grotto he absolutely loved it. He loved Santa’s elves, the decorations, the model reindeer, the pretend snow, and all the lights. He was so excited and was running up and down squealing. Couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

He’s in his running away era so he did keep going the wrong way in the grotto and probably took 3 times as long as the other kids but he was having a great time. Actual Santa he wasn’t too fussed by but he gave him a smile from a distance and liked holding the present, and he posed nicely for the photo. He then threw the present on the floor in front of Santa which is probably not great for his long-term Nice List prospects. He at least gave Santa a wave on the way out.

So all in all it was not the waste of time I was worried it would be. He didn’t have a scooby doo what was going on, but he was polite enough to Santa and he really enjoyed the grotto and the elves.