Saturday, 12 February 2011

I am FURIOUS!

This evening, my daugher phoned and told me that some child's horrible mother had told Phoebe (her daughter) that there's no such thing as Father Christmas, and I've just recieved this heartbreaking little email:

"today i found out that santas not real. we are crying but i know that he is ot real because nobody apart from 4or3 peolpe belived in santa bye
phoebe"*

Since starting this post, I've had a hysterical phone call from Pheoebe, beside herself with distress, and hardly able to speak because she's so upset. Apparently the other two (triplets) are also in tears.

I always had a rule: never discuss either Father Chrsitmas or sex with other people's children. It is NOT YOUR BUSINESS! So now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to avenge a much-loved granddaughter, and rearrange that bloody woman's face.

* Not the greatest speller in the world, but who cares?
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13 comments:

  1. Keith Havers13 February 2011 at 10:04

    Give her a slap from me.

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  2. Alis13 February 2011 at 16:23

    What is it about some people that they feel they have the right to interfere in that kind of way? I think you're rule's a good one Frances - I've never articulated it but I guess I adhere to the same one, with a few additions (religion, their own parents' relationship...)
    Poor Phoebe.

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  3. Sheila Norton13 February 2011 at 16:54

    What a shame. Despite my great age, I still remember being told by another child at school, at the age of 5, that Father Christmas wasn't real. I was puzzled rather than distressed, strange child that I was! Absolutely agree - F.Christmas falls into the same category as God: a child's faith (or an adult's, come to that) should be respected by everyone else regardless of their own views.

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  4. Frances Garrood13 February 2011 at 16:57

    Thanks, Keith. Will do. It'll be a pleasure.

    Hi Alis. You're right. There are other subjects as well, but those were the two that sprang to mind (and the two I've been asked about by grandchildren). Actually, I'd be perfectly happy to oblige, but as I said, it's not my job!

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  5. Frances Garrood13 February 2011 at 17:01

    Hi, Olivia. Yes - there are certain boundaries, aren't there. There are people - my brother-in-law among them - who think one should never lie to a child, but I think the Father Christmas thing is an essential part of childhood (and parenthood!).

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  6. no13 February 2011 at 20:51

    That is ATROCIOUS! Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

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  7. Frances Garrood13 February 2011 at 22:37

    Thanks, Aliya. All rage welcome at the moment (and I hope your Munchie manages to preserve her trust in F Christmas for many years to come).

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  8. Tim Stretton14 February 2011 at 08:18

    An excellent rule, Frances. I was disabused of my belief about Santa at an early age, to my lasting regret.

    In a classic case of over-correction, my own daughter, 21 in May, still believes Father Christmas exists.

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  9. Frances Garrood14 February 2011 at 10:22

    21 has to be some kind of record - what a lovely daddy you are, Tim!

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  10. no14 February 2011 at 13:35

    Munchie believes in Santa but doesn't want him in the house. Only Rudolph is allowed in to deliver the presents.

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  11. Frances Garrood14 February 2011 at 16:07

    Munchie - quite right, too.

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  12. Teresa Ashby15 February 2011 at 16:53

    Ooh I am boiling mad too, Frances. How dare she trample on a child's beliefs like that?! Poor little Phoebe!

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  13. Frances Garrood15 February 2011 at 19:59

    Hi, Teresa. Actually , I think that "poor little Phoebe" recovered before I did. Such is the inconstancy of childhood!

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