Yep. Seems like this happens to everyone eventually. First off, I am in fact a real person, therefor Santa is a real person. Lots of real people, actually, but that's not what the belief is all about, really. Belief in Santa is a belief in the magic of Santa. It's more than a fat guy with white hair and a white beard in a big red suit. If you're child is a non-believer or is on the verge, have them watch the film "Dear Santa," which is a documentary on the USPS Operation Santa program. Or take them to volunteer at a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. One of my favorite things to do when this comes up is to give them a task designed to teach them the magic of Santa. I'll suggest that they find someone with a need that they are able to fulfill. Could be a classmate who needs a new coat, or a neighbor who needs their yard taken care of or a homeless person who needs a meal. It doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming, it just has to be an actual need  that the kid is able to fulfill. Then I tell them to make sure that they provide that need and do their best to never let the recipient know where it came from. I go into a bit more detail on this concept in a recent blog post about two teenagers. You can read that post here.

The simple answer is "yes." If a child asks about adults being on the naughty list, this may be a signal that the child is being abused or is otherwise in danger. Keep in mind that it could also just be that they realize that their family is economically unstable or that mom or dad lost their job and they're trying to understand or maybe it's just idle curiosity. I would likely say something like, "before I answer that question - and I will answer it honestly for you - but before I do, could you please tell me why you're asking?" Sometimes kids are just curious and don't even know why they're asking a question. That's okay! But if they're asking because they're being abused or are in some other danger and they're trying to cry for help, then hopefully they will somehow disclose this when they're asked to tell me why they're asking that specific question. Like I said, though, sometimes kids are just curious!

If daddy or mommy is in jail, then yeah, mommy or daddy is on the naughty list. This is sadly not all that uncommon. ​And if your child asks about that then I will have to be honest and tell them, "yes, mommy or daddy is on the naughty list and that's why they are in jail. It's like a time out for grown ups when they get put on the naughty list. But, when their time is up, if they're good, then they can get off the naughty list.

All but one of pictures in the main slide show on the "Magical Moments" page were taken at the James Island Holiday Festival of Lights by Gary Coleman of Coleman Photography. Gary is fantastic with getting kids to smile! The photo of me standing in front of the blue backdrop, which is actually a large mural of the lighthouse that Gary had commissioned, was taken by Gary's friend, Chris Smith.

Unless otherwise credited/linked to Instagram, the other pictures on the site were taken by my wife. She has an amazing natural instinct and eye for photography!