It was bound to happen at some point. At 5 1/2 Julia's keen sense of the unfairness of the world celebrating Christmas while giving a token nod to Channukah has kicked in full force. We go out anywhere in LA where the Christmas songs echo through the malls, the stores, the restaurants, the streets and she says "Oh man, why are they doing Christmas songs when it's not even Christmas yet. Where are the Channukah songs?" By the way - my sentiments exactly - and as much as I'm not a super-jew, I'm not putting up a blue and white decorated bush just to roll with the masses.
So it was bound to happen. In the car after school on Friday she asked me - "Is Santa Claus real?"
Now, here's my dilemma. I'm not big on Santa as my family's personal gift deliverer, but I'm also not big on ruining other kids' magic. But, how can I perpetuate the myth of Santa when he's a guy who goes to other kids' houses and leaves them presents, skipping her house completely?
Me: Is Santa Claus real? (the buying time rephrasing of the question) Well...what do you think? (I'm working on my parental spin.)
Julia: I think no.
Me: Well, honey, I think you're right, but I think it's something we should keep between us and Daddy, OK?
Julia: Why?
Me: Well, there are some kids who still believe in Santa and we wouldn't want to ruin it for them.
Julia: Like Harry Potter? (you saw that coming, didn't you?)
Me: Right, like how you don't like it when S at school tells you Harry Potter isn't real even though you know he's not real. That he's a character in a book.
Julia: Right.
(beat)
But he is real, Mommy, I know that, I saw him.
