Dr Vanessa Ewing

Becoming Santa Dr Vanessa Ewing

The purpose of this book is to provide a Rite of Passage for children as they are ready for understanding the history and adult version of the spirit of Santa Claus. Each family will need to choose for themselves when this Rite of Passage is to be shared, as each child and family is quite different in their needs and sense of readiness. Children may be as young as four or five or as old as eleven or twelve (or may not have ever believed if the childhood version of Santa was not fostered and shared within their family). Rites of Passage are often missing from our world today and it can leave a sense of confusion and loss in times of significant transition where there could instead be a sense of pride and happiness for the prospect of a new role. Transition ceremonies often involve teachings, such as the story in Becoming Santa, helping children release their previous roles as young children understanding the magical and simplified childhood version of Santa Claus with their new role as a member of the older child and adult community that continues the spirit of Santa and attitude of altruistic giving to others. Without Rites of Passage and Transition Stories, children may be more likely to feel upset, a sense of loss, or anger over learning the true spirit story of Santa Claus versus the childhood stories that they heard. In other cases, children may act somewhat indifferent to this new information, especially if they had some previous sense or partial awareness of the adult community version of Santa (as is often the case). While there is still a loss when the more complex, adult version of Santa replaces the childhood version of Santa, there should also be a sense of pride and confidence that comes from being trusted with this knowledge. Most important to this Rite of Passage is for children to know the purpose behind the childhood version of Santa- providing a sense of magic, altruistic giving, and kindness in the world. When they are ready to be a part of the altruistic giving within the adult community, they are able to bring that sense of magic to other youngsters as well.