Secrets to a Sweet Santa Session

The trip to see Santa is one of those times where your approach needs to combine your own child’s personality with an understanding of predictable child development stages. Like so many things in childrearing, there are lots of different approaches and most will work.

So, the first issue is how to address the issue of Santa Claus with your kids. A belief in Santa Claus can lead to a lot of fun times during childhood, including writing letters, preparation for the night before Christmas, etc. There will be a short period of intense disappointment when they find out that Santa doesn’t exist (at least not as they are picturing him!), but for most families that celebrate Christmas, this brief disappointment will quickly pass and be outweighed by the fun of the earlier belief.

Now, the next question is where will you “visit Santa”? Teresa Berg has made it easy by providing a comfy studio with easy Christmas music playing. Santa IS jolly, conversational and gentle. She takes various shots to make sure she captures the best moment of your child’s visit with Santa Claus. Fortunately, Teresa Berg Photography is having an Open House for her clients on Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Open House with Santa is Teresa’s way of saying “Thank You” to her 2011 clients– so it’s all free — and NOT open to the public. But, no worries, you can book a session for 2012 and see Santa THIS year! Bring your kids or your pets (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.) for this exclusive event with Santa. (He’ll even share his milk and cookies.)

Here’s some tips for you as you prepare your child’s visit with Santa. For infants younger than 9 months, developmentally they won’t be scared of strangers yet, and the visit should go terrifically. But some children have a lot of stranger anxiety between 9 months and 2 years, which will make time alone with Santa difficult, while others will easily be reassured as long as you stay close to them.

I suggest clearly describing what the visit will be like beforehand so the child isn’t surprised by anything. The best situation is that if you have an older sibling, let them sit with Santa first (even if they’re beyond the period of believing in Santa) which will help normalize it for your younger child.  When it’s time for your child to go to Santa Claus, I would go with them and stand holding their hand while they first sit down, then slowly break away for the pictures as your child is comfortable.  Keep everything in perspective, if things start to fall apart, that means that the child isn’t going to get much enjoyment out of it and you are likely working on this for your own enjoyment.

Good luck! And, remember that a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not enjoy a photo with Santa from Teresa Berg Photography and set up a family portrait for next year!

The preceding was a sponsored post. For more information about the sponsor (Teresa Berg Photography), click here.