Santa sent us a special email with a video message.  He knew the kids’ names, their favorite colors, what they want for Xmas, and he even had a personalized challenge for them for the new year.  In fact, Santa said their names and had pictures of them and the family!

After watching the video, Imogen furrowed her brow, turned to me and said, “Daddy, I don’t think this Santa is real.”

“Why’s that sweetie?” I responded, panicked.

“He said I’ve been a very good but, I haven’t been a very good girl this year.”

“Why do you think that?” At this point I am holding back the tears.

“Well, I don’t make very many good decisions and I get a lot of time-outs.”

“Sweetie, you’re just learning how to be a good girl and time-outs help you think about making better decisions.  Santa knows you’re trying your best and he knows that you are a good girl, even though you sometimes have trouble making the right choices.”

That satisfied her and seemed to make her feel better.  This hurt my heart more than I can say.  Do we take this “you better be good” thing too far?

Look at my Santa hat daddy! Can you take a picture?