Many children are afraid of Santa Claus, and this is completely normal. This mysterious character can be very intimidating, especially as Christmas approaches and the pressure for the 'arrival of Santa Claus' grows. To find out how to help our little ones manage this emotion, we spoke with child and adolescent clinical psychologist Francisca Uribe , who gave us valuable information that will surely be very useful for you to have a Merry Christmas, free of fear and tears.

Fear of Santa Claus

Fears are very common during childhood. They generally serve a vital, adaptive function, preventing children from putting themselves at risk unnecessarily. Many of these fears are specific to specific ages and then disappear on their own as the child grows and matures.

Being afraid of Santa Claus is common and normal. If this is the case for your child, here are some of the possible causes:

1. Fear of the unknown.
2. Difficulty distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
3. Fear of strangers.
4. Bad past experiences with people in costume.
5. Overwhelming visual or auditory stimuli.
6. Social pressure to interact at Christmas.
7. Belief that Santa Claus is watching and judging you.
8. Change in routine.
9. Threat perception.
10. Negative influence of the media.

Strategies to validate this emotion and help them manage it.

Compassionate listening: Take the time to listen to your child, ask them about their feelings, and validate without judging.

Validating emotions: Reassure your children that it is okay to feel afraid by validating their emotions so they feel understood and accepted.

Understand the root of their fear: Ask specifically what aspect of the situation is causing them fear, addressing their concerns in a targeted manner.

Provide information: Explain in a simple way who Santa is and why he is part of the holiday. Highlight his kind nature, bringing gifts and joy.

Expose gradually: Introduce the child gradually to the presence of Santa Claus, whether through images, videos, or visits in controlled environments.

Create positive associations: Associate Santa Claus with positive experiences through books, movies, and fun activities.

Empowering the child: Encourage the child to express his or her feelings and make decisions about his or her interaction with Santa Claus, respecting his or her boundaries to strengthen his or her sense of empowerment.

Model the behavior

As a mom or dad, model how to handle fear and anxiety in a healthy way. Share your own experiences and how you overcame them.

You can demonstrate positive practices to manage fear and anxiety. You can use techniques such as deep breathing, positive thinking, or distraction to deal with stressful situations.