In a moment that would make even the Grinch cringe, a Santa in North Carolina made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Instead of spreading holiday cheer, this particular Santa decided to serve up some unsolicited weight loss advice to a nine-year-old boy named Max, leaving him in tears.
Max and his mother, Laura, were enjoying a festive day filled with ice skating and carriage rides when they approached Santa to share their Christmas wishes. Max asked for an iPod Touch and a drone, but instead of the expected “Ho, ho, ho!” he received a jarring comment: “Lay off the hamburgers and french fries.” Max later recounted, “That really just disrespected me, and I felt awful.” Talk about a lump of coal for the kiddo’s spirit!
Laura was understandably shocked and described the incident as “very rude,” expressing her disbelief that Santa would ever say such a thing. As any parent would agree, it’s never appropriate for anyone—especially not a jolly old elf—to comment on a child’s body. I once overheard someone telling my friend’s child, “You’re so lucky, you’ll always be beautiful because you’re skinny.” Excuse me? I was almost ready to launch into a full-body positivity lecture then and there!
Santa’s primary duty is to spread joy, not undermine children’s self-esteem. After the incident, it seems he might have had a moment of reflection, as he has since resigned from his Santa duties. The town manager also issued a public apology, assuring the community that no other children would have to endure such an experience. Laura expressed her relief, saying, “I’m glad he’s gone and no other kids will have to go through what my son did.” Heartbreaking indeed!
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In summary, this unfortunate encounter serves as a reminder that kindness should always be prioritized, especially during the holiday season. Santa’s role should be to uplift children, not to tear them down.