He smokes, is overweight and takes extreme sports to the next level with his chimney jumping and roof surfing without a helmet, but does that make Santa Claus a reckless role model for kids? Nathan Grills and Brendan Halyday think so, according to an article published December 16th in a British medical journal.
This led me to think, who is the good role model on the tube or shelves these days for our kids? Barbie? Well, she did just have a recent makeover. Her eyes have been made to take on a more almond shape, her eyebrows are less tweezed and pointy and she’s now got a cell phone. And then there’s the 50+ fashionista’s major competition, the Bratz dolls. Just the name of these new icons who are taking over our 7 year olds bedrooms irks me, never mind the amount of make up plastered on their face or their mini skirts with their platform lace-up to the knee high heel boots.
My daughter, who’s 8, loves both these dolls. She adores Sponge Bob too, who is also geared toward boys (along with the all American hero, gun toting GI Joe). Sponge Bob was allowed to enter my family room until I heard the word “idiot” come flying out of the speakers. These characters are geared toward 5 year-olds!
I could carry this rant on but I’ll spare you. My point is, get off Santa’s back. Sure he eats a lot of cookies and enjoys the odd puff of a pipe now and then, but more importantly he’s the epitome of goodness all round. He teaches kids kindness is what makes you likeable, not what you look like or what you have.
Sponge Bob has made it back into our house, only because of the long talks we’ve had with the kids about what they are seeing on TV. My daughter and I love to dress up, don the latest fashion and paint our face with make-up together. My son spends hours playing with his Lego and almost every time his designs revolve around the guns that came with the set.
As parents it’s our duty to make sure our children are protected from and understand negative outside influences. It’s our job to make sure they live a healthy, active life modeled after non-violent, polite ways. Let’s nurture their creative side, even if that means playing with make-up or toy pistols at such a young age. As long as we pass along the message that there is no place in this world for violence or excluding others because they aren’t up to speed on the latest fad, the future of the globe will be in good hands.
Barbie, Sponge Bob or Santa do not shape our kids entirely. They influence to a degree but the ultimate responsibility lies in the hands of the caregiver.
Enjoy making memories this season, and throughout the New Year. Happy Holidays!
PS – consider heading out to Huntsville’s Olympic Torch Relay Celebration. It’s a day both you and the kids will never forget! Rivermill Park, Wednesday December 30th . Keep an eye on our website for details.
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