Dear Santa,
I’m writing to ask that you please consider keeping my boys on the good side of your naughty-or-nice-list this year. I have a feeling you might be on the fence.
It’s true: their antics can sometimes be over-the-top and overwhelming. And I suspect your magic snow globe, Elf on the Shelf
Two broken lamps, one busted ottoman, rocks dumped on the floor, bad words brought home from the school playground, squished eyeglasses, marker scribbles on the basement door, a small stealing incident {all cleared up now}, some pushing at preschool, some climbing on furniture and one instance of running away at Target.
It sounds bad, I know. And believe me – there are days when I’m so ready to call it quits. But I’m writing to let you know that these high-energy, crazy-making boys are also the lights of my life, capable of melting my mama-heart in an instant. I worry that your fancy devices might not capture all those moments, too.
Like the way they held hands in the car on the way to see you yesterday, singing Jingle Bells over and over. Or how Ryder gently coaxed Tru onto your lap, smiling and telling him how friendly you are. They remembered their ‘thank yous’ and didn’t ask for too much {just one thing for Tru: a Thomas DVD, in case you couldn’t quite understand him}.
They are good kids. Spirited kids. Loving, snuggle-bug, sensitive kids. And they believe in you and all the goodness you represent. I fear that labeling them as naughty troublemakers could dim their bright spirits, crush their sense of wonder, and make them doubt the goodness within themselves. I fear this, quite honestly, for all kids.
And that’s why I’m asking that you please keep my boys on your “nice” list. Their dad and I are trying our best to appropriately handle their not-so-nice moments, but feel like accentuating the positives and celebrating the good stuff they do is just as powerful.
You can help us with this, dear Santa. Rather than ask me, as you did yesterday, whether they’ve been good, tell them with a wink that you already know it to be true. Give them reason to feel loved no matter what, to feel good about themselves, to want to prove you right. Place them firmly on your “nice” list, along with every other kid you meet. All kids are good kids deep down, don’t you think? Sometimes they just need a caring adult, a guiding light and a little magic to convince them it’s true. You have the power to do that this season.
I believe in you.
Love,
Liv Lane
Mama of 2
Liv, you must be channeling your dad! I love your letter to Santa. Of course,all kids are inherently good; they just need every grown up in their lives to recognize and affirm it. It would be so wonderful every child was as lucky as your little ones.
Monica
How sweet, Monica. My dad used to send me notes when he loved a particular blog post, almost always the ones about my kiddos. Love that you can see his influence on me through this.
Our children can be the family barometers. Having our challenges with our highly sensitive 9 year old son after a very harsh and stressful 3rd grade last year.
They are so precious and sometimes fragile. They need to be allowed to be kids and I fear mainstream schools who mainly care about test scores are not what our children need. God bless all the caring and loving teachers, child care providers and parents. We have the most challenging and worthwhile positions known on the face of the planet.