A Lesson in Holiday Harmony
For years, Christmas has been my favorite time of year—the lights, the gifts, the warmth of family. My younger children, Emma and Noah, still believe in Santa, and I love keeping that magic alive for them.
But this Christmas brought an unexpected challenge. My eldest daughter, Jane, and her son, Liam, were joining us, and Jane had chosen to raise Liam without Santa. I respected her decision, but I worried about how his perspective might affect my younger children.
So, two days before Christmas, I asked Jane if she could remind Liam not to mention that Santa wasn’t real. She refused, saying she wouldn’t ask her son to hide what he knows. I was frustrated. I felt she wasn’t considering my perspective, just as she felt I wasn’t considering hers.
When they arrived on Christmas Eve, the atmosphere was tense. And sure enough, at some point, Liam innocently mentioned that Santa wasn’t real. I froze. My kids looked confused. Jane gave me a knowing look.
That night, our disagreement boiled over, and in my frustration, I told Jane that maybe they shouldn’t stay if they couldn’t respect our traditions. She left.
Christmas morning was quieter than usual. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had let an argument overshadow what should have been a time of joy. As the days passed, I kept asking myself—was keeping the magic alive for my little ones worth creating this distance with my eldest daughter?
Eventually, I called Jane to make amends. We may not see eye to eye on everything, but we both agree on one thing: family is more important than any tradition. Next year, we’ll find a way to celebrate together, even if our versions of Christmas look a little different.
