Dear Santa: Getting Smiles Instead of Tears

[Jeff Westover]

In Santa's ongoing advice column for parents he tackles the thorny issue of a mother who doesn't want to include her toddler in her holiday entertaining plans. Click --

Getting Smiles Instead of Tears (http://mymerrychristmas.com/2005/smilestears.shtml)

Jeff

ps-- Thanks, Santa, for being on the job so early this year!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

I cannot believe that a parent would want to exclude their child from their Christmas plans.

My parents used to send us to our Aunt's house on New Year's Eve when they had their adult party. We didn't mind that at all. We were ten and older in those days and we celebrated with our older cousins. We stayed up until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning! It was fun for us too. We always called right at MidNight to shout into the phone and wish our parents a Happy New Year.

That is totally different than celebrating Christmas without us. There's no way that could have ever happened. There's no way I can think of that it should happen. I remember a few children having to spend Christmas in a hospital over the holidays and it was heartbreaking for them and their families.

It's almost like the parent is expecting her child to be sick again this year or that she will spoil her fun.

Families First is my motto!!!

[Jeff Westover]

Nothing amazes me too much any more about parents.

Jeff