Status Anxiety | 13 December 2008

‘Daddy, there’s something I want to ask you,’ said Sasha, my five-year-old daughter, as she was eating her supper.

‘Yes darling?’

‘Is Father Christmas real?’

This is a question that every parent will be asked sooner or later and my friends are divided about how you should respond. Children will eventually learn that the universe is a disenchanted place — no fairies, no flying carpets and no Santa Claus. Should we try and speed that process along or delay it as long as possible? My own view is that, when it comes to Father Christmas, we should do everything in our power to preserve our children’s belief in him.

For one thing, invoking this deity is a very effective way to control their behaviour, particularly as Christmas approaches. You only have to point out that he disapproves of such-and-such a thing — getting down from the table before you’ve finished your supper, for instance — to bring about instant compliance.