Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

I got off the phone with a close friend just now...her son is one month younger than johnny (26 months) and all he talks about is santa bringing toys and he keeps asking "When is santa coming?".

Now I KNOW Johnny is not your typically developing child. I know he is behind, he is just developing speech...I guess I just get "sad" when these things happen. I appreciate and cherish all the growing and learning he's done...I am VERY proud of him and comparing is never fair to do.

It is weird that he doesn't understand Santa or know anything about it? I show him Santa pictures and he says "ho ho ho" lol!! Thats about it...no interest really...

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

at 2.5 i don't think my DD really "gets it", but we haven't really made a big deal of it yet either. perhaps if she was in nursery school and/or around other kids who were excited about santa maybe she would be as well? but as of now it's kind of a thing she says just to say it, not really understanding what's behind it. kind of like her baby sister arriving ...

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Well, how much history does he have with Santa, really? The 1st Xmas he was a baby, and the idea of this big fat man getting you things you want may not really be something he gets until he is 3 or 4, after a few Xmases go by, and depending on how much you push Santa.

Maybe this other kid is always, always asking for everything, and your friend is telling him, "OK, if you want it, lets ask Santa" so he is REALLY counting on whoever this Santa guy is to deliver, because mom and dad wasn't putting out at all. Know what I mean?

Message edited 12/11/2008 10:56:18 AM.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

DD is 2.5 and doesn't "get" Santa, either. She's seen shows with him on it, so she recognizes who he is, but we don't do the "Santa brings you presents" idea at our house.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

My son doesn't get the concept of doing a pee in the potty, nor does he get the concept that a small person can not live without eating.

I think that its a bit much to expect kids to get the concept of Santa, your friends son is probably just repeating what his mother says.

Don't feel bad about it!

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Last year Nate was 2.5 and he knew who Santa was, but didn't understand that he's the guy that brings the gifts. Now at 3.5, he understands that Santa brings the gifts and you have to be good, blah blah.

I wouldn't worry about it too much this year.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Michael is 28 months and does not get the Santa concept either. He knows that Xmas is coming that we have a tree, etc. and that Santa is bringing gifts but he does not always remember that.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

DD will be 2 on the 20th and she does not get it. She knows who he is and says his name, but she doesn't know he brings presents or that she has to be good. We don't talk about it everyday, but maybe she'll make some connection it when she sees her stocking on Christmas morning.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

My 2.5 year old doesn't really grasp it...she knows about santa, but when we mention it she tells me she doesn't like him. WHy-cause i torture her every year by making her sit on his lap at the mall.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Awww! Well I think he's still a little young. I think they start to "get it" more around age 3.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Think about the things we tell our kids, and think about do they get it yet, including:

The spirit of Christmas
Jesus, God, etc
Lighting the menorah
Thanksgiving and being thankful, etc...

Its with years of teaching and modelling and experience that these concepts sink in!

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

My niece is 2.5 and she doesnt get it at all...she repeats what her older siblings say but thats all...she doesnt even realize that in 2 weeks she is going to get more gifts than she k nows what to do with!

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

No, you are def not alone. My 2.5 yr old kind of gets it but really doesn't seem to have an interest in Santa. The idea of Santa doesn't seem to phase him at all. I try to pretend I am going to call Santa etc and he's just like "whatever" Plus, I get so excited for all the Christmas cartoons and he would rather watch Thomas !

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

DD just turned 2 last month. She doesn't really get the concept of xmas either. The only time she'll mention it is if I bring it up first. Like, I'll say...What is Santa going to bring good girls and boys? And she'll say, "TOYS!". But that's about it.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Last Christmas my DD was 3 and it was the first time she really anticipated the arrival of Santa. This year at 4 it's amazing...

At 2, she actually threw herself on the floor from exhaustion and REFUSED to open anymore gifts...

I think you will see a big difference next year.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

My DD will be 2 this month and although she knows who Santa is and can recognize him I don't think she has a concept of him bringing fist or anything like that. I think she recognizes him in the same way she recognizes Mickey or any other character. I think after this Christmas - after Santa brings her toys then she will start to "get it". I think at this age they do not really have a frame of reference for it.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Thanks for making me feel better

Sometimes I just wonder when he'll connect certain things...he understands a lot and is truly a smart little kid...but other things really go past him.

The kids were all crying and afriad of santa at the holiday party we went to, and johnny glanced at him and walked right by, lol. He sat on his lap and smiled the whole time and said "hi" to him. So funny..

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

I wouldn't worry. DS is 15 months old and a friend told me her son "gets" the elf on the shelf. I can't believe that. I think a lot of this is what parents project on their kids.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

I'd condier my 2 1/2 year old a generally typical kidl but he doesn't really get it yet either so I wouldn't feel bad. He just mimics what his older sibs are doing but the whole concept is not there. He doesn't get that Santa is bringing presents and all that. Those Ho Ho Ho's must be adorable! My DS likes to do a bath bubble beard and the Ho Ho Ho's - but he learned it from my DD.

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

Re: Anyone elses 2 year old not really "get" the concept of Santa? Or am I alone?

DD is 2 and she knows who Santa is and will point him out and say "Santa" and I ask her what she wants from santa and she says toys...but I think it's only because I taught her...I don't think she "gets" the concept at all.

Kind of like, I taught her the President is Obama and she says Obama, when I ask who the President is but she has no idea WHAT a President is. She actually started saying HER name was Obama for a short period after I taught her about the President.