Bad parent alert!

[Cindyluwho]

Here's a quote from Mr. DeBecker's book:
"Presumably, The Rule is intended to provide protection in the event the child is alone somewhere, because if a parent is present, then what difference does it make if a young child speaks with a stranger? The irony is that if your child is ever lost in public, the ability to talk to strangers is actually the single greatest asset he could have. To seek assistance, to describe one's situation, to give a phone number, to ask advice, to say No – all these interactions require the child to speak with strangers. If kids view talking to strangers as the threshold they mustn't cross, then when they do cross it (and they will), they have no further tools. Talking is just talking, after all, but since what we really want to avoid is our child going somewhere with someone, that's the thing to teach them about (more on this in Chapter 6)."

 

[Disneyrsh]

Dude, it was Santa!

I don't think you're a bad parent for worrying, I think worrying is one of the hallmarks of a GOOD parent

I think the guy was just spreading some Christmas cheer, nothing else. If you think about it, if he did have 'tainted' candy canes, it's not like he's gonna get away with it and that nobody would know who did it, he'd be toast, immediately.

I think he's just a kind old guy who loves the attention being Santa gives him, and it's all good...

 

[sha_lyn]

From my limited experience (seeing/knowing of a few "professional" Santa's around town) they pretty much live the job. In fact a friends neighbor would decorate his house bor Xmas the week before halloween and would dress in his red suit and give out candy canes fo halloween. It was so cool, because all the kids thought they knew where Santa's vacation house is.

 

[sha_lyn]

to add to what Cindyluwho has posted..... from what I have heard, kids get a "warped" impression of what a stranger is. It's from a combination of what she posted (seeing mom break the stranger rule) and what they learn from fairtales etc. They expect a stranger to look "strange" like the wicked witch or something, and not like the average person.

 

[Serena]

Bad parents don't worry about such things.

this would be a good time to talk to them about strangers and about instincts.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

I have the same worries this time of year. After watching Polar Express, I got panicky and explained to DD5 that if anyone ever suggested that she hop in a car, on a train, etc to go to the North Pole, she CAN'T GO!!! Same thing with Santa--she's not to go with anyone that looks or sounds like him. I hate to worry and think like that, but in this day and age, unfortunately, we have to.

 

[Nancy]

Are you sure he wasn't working for Lowes? Maybe he was playing Santa for them, and just wearing the kind of outfit that Santa would wear if he worked at Lowes?

That's my thought, if he was doing this inside the store, I would think the store arranged it. There is no one they would let a "stranger" be hugging kids and handing out candy...can you say "lawsuit from a parent"?

 

[kilee]

I would just reinforce the stranger danger thing w/ your child. Otherwise, I don't think I'd overthink this too much. It is a scary world, and we can never be too safe. I was just be sure they understood it was okay because you were there and watching the whole thing.

 

[TurboKitty]

I have to chime in...

OP, binny, isn't it? I don't think you did anything wrong. You were right THERE with your child. There wasn't anything odd with what you've described, especially this time of year.


But, I do want to point out...
Posts #20 and #21 by Cindyluwho had so much to offer. So insightful, about who should be watched rather than just the "unknown" and teaching our kids to listen to themselves and TRUST themselves no matter what. Give them the tools to fight with, and the strength to know when to use them.