Search Results for: blog is santa real

When Kids Stop Believing in Santa

How can you tell if your child has stopped believing in Santa? Sometimes, it becomes obvious. Your kid suddenly declares that Santa isn’t real (and appears to be comfortable with that knowledge). Most of the time though, kids come to parents with questions about Santa. Your child is not sure what to believe, and is trying to figure things out based on whatever evidence he or she can find. What’s a parent to do? One way to handle it is to ask your child a question. “What do you think?” This gives your kid the opportunity to direct the conversation … Continue reading →

Why Santa Doesn’t Visit My Home

When my husband and I had our first child we were asked by grandparents if we were going to encourage her to believe in Santa Claus.  We both responded with a united no but with different reasons.  My husband felt it was a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas.  We are in agreement on this point.  But even if I could be persuaded the two concepts could live side by side, I would still struggle with keeping up with it.  I can’t even take a daily vitamin on a regular basis.  I also thought…and forgive me…having a child believe … Continue reading →

To Santa or Not to Santa?

The Thanksgiving turkey has been enjoyed and we are now digging into the leftovers. Christmas trees are for sale at roadside farm stands. Town centers have put up lights and wreaths. It is the Christmas season, and for parents of small children, one common question is whether or not to take their children to the mall (or elsewhere) for the ubiquitous photo with Santa Claus. When I was a child, my sister and I went to see Santa at the mall almost every year. I am not sure how young we were the first time, and I am not sure … Continue reading →

Sensory Santas, Health Insurance Coverage, and Autism

The past week has been filled with big, important, things. Families are recovering from Hurricane Sandy, there was a Presidential election, and the Black Friday sales are starting to be released. It is understandable that you might have missed something on the Special Needs blog this week. The Special Needs Blog Week in Review will help you to catch up. Your Child Can Visit a Sensory Friendly Santa Do you know what a Sensory Friendly Santa is? It is a Santa event that is designed to accommodate children who have special needs. I list a few places that will be … Continue reading →

Where to Find Sensory Santa Events

Many families have a holiday tradition that includes taking their children to visit Santa. Children who have special needs may find the chaotic situation that surrounds Santa to be more than they can tolerate. Parents can take their child to see a Sensory Friendly Santa instead. Here is an updated list places that will be having a Sensory Friendly Santa or a Caring Santa event this year. From November 17, 2012, through December 9, 2012, Legends Outlets and Jordan Photography, which are located in Kansas City, Kansas, will hold several Sensory Friendly Santa Experience. Kids can visit Santa in a … Continue reading →

Your Child Can Visit a Sensory Friendly Santa

It has only been a couple of days since Halloween. Even so, some malls are getting ready for Santa. Kids who become overwhelmed by the many sensory aspects of being in a mall to see Santa can visit a Sensory Friendly Santa instead. Children tend to get very excited about going to the mall to visit Santa Claus. This has become a traditional part of the holiday season. Children who have a sensory integration disfunction disorder, or an autism spectrum disorder, might become overwhelmed by the over-the-top sensory aspects that goes along with a trip to see Santa. Typically, Santa … Continue reading →

Another Santa Reprimanded at Disney World

An official Disney Santa at Epcot We’ve learned that adults are banned from wearing Disney costumes to a Disney park. We also know that any kids old enough (the cutoff is 9 or 10) also can’t do so, at least not if their costumes are too realistic. Now we have another look to add to the list of things not allowed at Disney: Santa Claus. Official Disney-sanctioned Santa Claus’s still make seasonal appearances at Disney World. What’s going to get you kicked out, or at least reprimanded, is if you too closely resemble Kris Kringle. The Huffington Post reports. Atlantan … Continue reading →

Santa Bunny

The other day my 7-year-old asked me for the Easter Bunny’s email address so she could send him her gift wish list. Am I the only parent whose child thinks that the Easter Bunny is Santa’s spring replacement? What happened to kids getting dinky wicker baskets in a rainbow of pastel shades filled with hard-boiled eggs and a few Peeps? That’s what the Easter Bunny brought me as a child. It wasn’t until I was on the brink of teen-hood that the Bunny dug deep and gifted me with a few plastic eggs filled with quarters, plus a hollowed-out chocolate … Continue reading →

Our First Visit with Santa Claus

My son has been begging me to take him to see Santa all week. We didn’t quite make it to the North Pole like he wanted, but luckily Santa was visiting the mall down the street today, so I finally decided to take him. We waited for almost an hour, I guess that’s what I get for waiting until Christmas Eve to take him. As we were sitting there in line, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. This was Logan’s first visit with Santa Claus and his dad wasn’t there to see it. I did order extra pictures … Continue reading →

A “Sensory Friendly” Santa Claus

Traditionally, part of a child’s Christmas celebration includes going to the mall to visit Santa. It brings a little “magic” to the holiday, and gives parents a clue about what their child wants to get for Christmas this year. Kids who have sensory issues, or an autism spectrum disorder, might be more comfortable visiting with a “sensory friendly” Santa this year. Visiting Santa at the mall can be a very exciting experience for small children. There is usually an area set aside where Santa will be waiting. This area, and the space leading up to it, are often decorated with … Continue reading →