This year was the first year we took my 3 year old to go see the local mall Santa. He asked to go see him and then got all excited when we got there. When the time came, he got cold feet and I wasn't about to force him to sit with a stranger against his will.

As fun as the screaming kid with Santa photo would have been, I think autonomy is definitely part of the decision. Not specifically in a body autonomy sense (but that doesnt excluse that part). But if he doesn't want to hug someone we let me his make that decision too. There are decisions that you let your kids make and deciosns as parents you make for them. I see no reason why bodily contact shouldn't be the kid's decision.

On the plus side the Santa at my local mall has an extra large chair and the kids sit beside Santa rather than on his lap.

Break the trust? Give me a break.

I can see that if you force your child to sit on Santa's lap and Santa says something rude, or touches the child inappropriately but if you force the child to sit on Santa's lap and Santa is nothing but nice, then there is no issue.

The child was afraid, you reassured the child that everything was fine and then everything was actually fine.

If anything that reinforces the trust relationship.

We're surrounded by idiots.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Digressing slightly over the accompanying meme;

Should it be
I'm fed up with parents... rather than I'm fed up of parents... ?

the tirade originated in New Zealand -- 'of' may be a kiwi thing

No it would have read
I'm fid up with parents who thunk ets choice bro

Like.

But as context, NZ has a worryingly high rates of family and child violence / abuse, so they're a bit sensitive about teaching consent (there was also a bit about not forcing your kids to kiss and hug elderly relatives)

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Swim. Overbike. Walk.

My kids never wanted to go visit Santa so they never did. I would never force them to do something so meaningless. I don't find the 'screaming/crying child on Santa's lap' photo charming in any way.

It's a creepy fucking tradition and thankfully my kids showed zero interest. Go watch Bad Santa then reconsider.

Can't we just be done with Santa already? I mean, really?

This thread is full of wankers.

No wonder each generation is becoming even more entitled sissy pants. What age do the responders of this thread teach their kids about trigger words and safe spaces?

Maybe refer to him as the Flying Spaghetti Present Deliverer?