Five Little Reasons

Hello. Pull up a chair. Comfy? Got your coffee? Thanks for dropping by.

Welcome to my blog. My journal of thoughts, if you will.

I've been around for a while now. I first started this blog back in 2010. For many years it was very successful. The Five Little Reasons were babies - and being at home full time made it easy to find the time to write about their lives. They napped, I would write.

They don't nap anymore. It's all go, go, go!

A couple of years ago I had to put it all on hold. I found I was just too busy. With 5 kids. And a husband. And small business. Writing just took a back seat.

I am more exhausted today than I ever remember being when we had 5 babies under 8 years old. Yep, the Five Little Reasons are very close together. But the baby/toddler/little person phase was a breeze compared to the life of a Mama of 5 kids 7-15yrs!

I feel like I have blinked... and all of a sudden, they are all grown up. I cry at the thought of my "baby" turning 16 this year. That kind of means his childhood is over. That's it... I can't change it. It's set in his mind. Gosh I hope we got it right.

Anyway, I have been wanting to get back into the writing for a little while now. I posted a couple of times... and I was overwhelmed at the response I received.

You guys rock. It's nice to know that I am not in this crazy ride of life alone. You know... we all think we are.

For those not already following already -

You can find my Facebook page @fivelittlereasons

You can also follow me on Instagram @fivelittlereasons

So, this is it. Please de-lurk. Save me in your favourites. Add me to your RSS feed. Join the FB page and I will update you when I have a new post. And please comment. Talking to myself can send me bonkers. Just sayin'.

Santa has already started making his appearance in shopping centres around the country. In Christmases past, I have been a photographer at one of the busiest Santa sets in SE QLD. This means I have seen it all.

From over the top outfits, to spur of the moment photos. Adult children having a photo to give to their parents, to mates having a laugh and workmates celebrating the holidays.

I love Santa photos. For many reasons. The main reason is it is a Tradition. And you all know what I am like with traditions.

We have a "Santa" album exclusive for the Santa photos.

I have seen more tears and tantrums that you could imagine, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Here are my tips to getting a picture perfect Santa photo!

1: Prepare, prepare and prepare some more. Some little children are not fond of Santa. If I had a dollar for every parent that says "Well, we have taught them to not talk to strangers". ::sigh:: Santa doesn't have to be a stranger. At our set, we welcome children and parents to visit as many times as they like. As soon as the silly season starts, everytime you walk past Santa, go in for a visit.

2003 - 21st December - Hayden's "First" Christmas photo - on his 1st birthday.
We were still in hospital on Christmas day for his "real" first Christmas!

When Joshua was about 2.5, he was quite frightened. We walked past a number of times over the course of a couple of weeks and he wouldn't have a bar of it. Finally, after a few "over the fence" high fives with Santa, one day he decided he wanted to line up for a visit. When it was our turn, he walked in, turned around and walked straight back out again. The next time, he was happy enough to approach Santa and give him a highfive. The next time, a hand shake. A few more times and we got a wonderful photo.

Don't give up.

2: Do NOT make it a negative experience. DO NOT under ANY circumstances force your child onto Santa. Be prepared for your child to not like it. Don't get disheartened or angry at your child because they don't want to do it. It breaks my heart when I start hearing parents telling their child off for not siting with Santa, and it makes me very angry when they are smacking or abusing their child in front of me. Try again another time.

2006

3: Make sure you choose the best time for your child. It's a no-brainer to not go when your child is due for a nap or is in a bad mood.

2007

4: Take your time. If you feel like you are being rushed by the set staff, ask politely if there is a quiet time that they recommend to come back. During peak periods you obviously won't have the luxury of being able to ease your child in. Even a very busy set has down times. Come back when the staff have plenty of time to play and talk to your child to get them comfortable.

2008 - 23rd December (Oliver 4 days old!)

2008 - 14th December

5: Suggest a different pose. For some children, they are happy to sit in the chair without Santa. At our set, I would suggest a "hide" photo. We get the children to close their eyes (or distract them with toys) while Santa disappears. They are then free to sit in Santa's chair while we take the photo. They have no idea that Santa is actually "Peeking" from behind the chair on cue for the photo. Some children are frightened of siting in his knee - so suggest they stand next to Santa, or maybe they would prefer to sit on the floor at Santa's feet. As the staff if they have any suggestions suitable for their set.

2010

6: Make it a family photo. If you still haven't been able to manage to get one with the kids on their own, I suggest you frock up and have a lovely family photo. Make it your tradition every year. :)

2011

7: Go for a "Dump and Snap". Sometimes, the ones with a crying baby are part of the "tradition". If you are really set on getting a photo, but your child is not, ask the photographer to be ready... dump your child... snap a photo and quickly pick them up. Be happy with whatever the photo looks like. Crying? Screaming? Mid-air jumping off Santa? Line them up in your album and remember how much they protested that year. That said, know when to draw the line. Don't make it terrifying. A tear or a scream is one thing, but having a child shaking in absolute terror is not something you want to remember (or will they!)

8: Finally - and my most passionate point is to remember that it is ONLY a Santa photo. If after a few weeks of visits and high-fives and test runs your child is still totally terrified, please please do not force them. It just isn't worth it. It is just a Santa photo!