On this week’s Parenting segment, one young boy is excited about Christmas – but is terrified of Santa. 

“He has been like this since he was four,” his parent told Moncrieff. “We always put it down to the fact he was just young and would grow out of it. 

“But it’s come back this year, and it’s not improving at all. 

“At the weekend we went to a Santa experience in Galway. Our son was really enjoying it until the point where we had to go in and see Santa. 

“When Santa was talking to him, he wouldn’t talk back and couldn’t get out of the room quick enough.” 

The parent said they know not all kids love Christmas, but this isn’t the case with their son. 

"He loves Christmas, is really excited, but everything around Santa is a really stressing him out,” they said. 

Stranger danger

Child psychotherapist Joanna Fortune said ‘Santaphobia’ is “far more common that people think it is”. 

“It spikes between the ages of three and seven,” she explained. 

“So often children have this natural in-built fear and self-preservation where [they think], ‘this is a stranger, I don’t see this person more than once a year and my natural self-preservation makes me nervous’.” 

Christmas beyond Santa

Joanna said it’s great that the son still loves Christmas, so the parents should focus on other aspects of the holiday. 

“There’s family traditions, there’s gatherings, all the bits you do as a family that he can be actively involved in,” she said.  

“I don’t think you should force it, because Santa wouldn’t want [the son] to be upset about seeing him. 

“Let him opt out of seeing Santa if it’s causing him this much anxiety. 

“Those visits also tend to happen in really crowded environments – noisy, busy hot environments which can be a lot for children.” 

A letter from Santa

Joanna explained, however, there are plenty of ways to help the son ease his fear of Father Christmas. 

“If you could let Santa know about your son’s fear, maybe he could write him a letter assuring him that he understands and it’s okay,” she said. 

“If it’s this idea of whether Santa is walking around the house while you’re asleep... let him know Santa goes to one specific location, has the snacks and the heads off, because he’s so busy.” 

Joanna also recommended watching Christmas movies and reading books featuring Santa to let the son know there’s nothing to fear. 

Listen back here: