Kate Wicker

Storyteller & Speaker

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Compassionate Mom of the Year

I posted the old Santa photos below several years ago; however, every time I stumble across them again I get the giggles. I hope it might make some of you chuckle, too. And the good news is a more recent photo proves my oldest girl’s first encouter with Jolly, Old Saint Nick did not traumatize her. Imitation is the sincerest of flattery, no?

santa maddy

—

Always one to show empathy and to respect the developmental needs and dignity of my children, here I am, four Christmases ago, with my firstborn ever-so-gently encouraging her to cozy up with Santa. Never mind the absolute terror in her eyes. Never mind that on any other day I would never dream of plopping my precious progeny on the lap of any stranger. Never mind that this stranger happens to be wearing a big red suit, foreboding, black boots, and an impressive white mane and has excessive facial hair.

C’mon, sweet girl, smile! Everyone loves jolly, old St. Nick. Please be joyful as I capture this moment of abandonment when I leave you in the hands of a stranger!

 

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· December 22, 2012 · Tagged With: Mom Humor · Filed Under: Kate's Blog

Comments

  1. Jennifer Schaefer says

    December 23, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    Oh my goodness. My tummy hurts from laughing. That is the best!

  2. sue says

    December 24, 2012 at 12:15 am

    As one who laughs at the most awkward times, I can totally see myself doing this. The first picture was caught at the exact right moment. Your face, her face, Santa’s face… perfect. Cant stop giggling!

Hi, I’m Kate

I’m a wife, mom of five kids, writer, speaker, storyteller, bibliophile, runner, eating disorder survivor, and perfectionist in recovery. I'm the author of Getting Past Perfect: Finding Joy & Grace in the Messiness of Motherhood  and Weightless: Making Peace With Your Body.

I’ve tried a lot of things in my life – anorexia, bulimia, law school, teaching aerobics, extended breastfeeding, vegetarianism, trying to be perfect and failing miserably at it – and through it all I’ve been writing. And learning to embrace the messiness of life instead of covering it up, making excuses for it, or being ashamed of my brokenness or my home’s sticky counters.

Nowadays I’m striving every single, imperfect day to strike a balance between keeping it real and keeping it joyful.

 

“She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick.”

―Flannery O'Connor

Copyright © 2025 Kate Wicker · A Little Leaf Design

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