Why We Won’t Take Our Son with Autism to Get His Photo Taken with Santa

home insemination Kit

Recently, a friend of mine shared an adorable snapshot of her son perched on Santa’s lap from when he was a tiny tot. It was that picture-perfect moment that many parents dream of—filled with joy and warmth.

But we don’t have a photo like that because we never even attempted to take our son to see Santa. From the start, I knew it would be a disaster.

Even before his autism diagnosis, I sensed that loading him up for a trip outside his routine would just lead to stress. If we tried going at night, it would only add to the chaos of an already overwhelming day. The crowded mall, with its cacophony of sounds, unfamiliar smells, harsh fluorescent lights, and the whirlwind of people could easily send him spiraling into sensory overload. And let’s not forget the endless line of potentially cranky kids; it was a recipe for disaster.

Then there’s the idea of handing him to a stranger with a bushy beard—what could possibly go wrong? I could just imagine the meltdown brewing, and frankly, I wasn’t willing to put any of us through that.

Despite the sweet image of my friend’s child, the longing for that traditional memory flickered briefly in my mind. But I quickly reminded myself that forcing my son into such a situation would not be worth the potential distress.

I decided early in my parenting journey to prioritize my son’s comfort over societal expectations. We might miss out on some classic moments, like a first-day-of-school picture, but we’ve captured memories throughout the year, and that’s perfectly fine.

If I really think about it, we’ve likely sidestepped quite a few conventional experiences in favor of our son’s well-being. But what’s the point of clinging to traditions if they don’t bring joy—or worse, cause harm? The only memories I would have retained would be of frustration and guilt.

So, no, we didn’t get a Santa photo. Instead, we have our son’s trust, knowing we won’t drag him through a stressful situation for the sake of tradition. For me, that’s the best gift of all.

Speaking of gifts, if you’re exploring ways to expand your family, you might find useful resources on pregnancy and home insemination at Rmany. And for those curious about self-insemination options, check out this guide to learn more about at-home kits.

In the end, it’s all about what works best for you and your family.

Summary

The author reflects on the decision not to take their son with autism to sit on Santa’s lap, prioritizing his comfort over societal traditions. They acknowledge the absence of certain typical experiences but emphasize the importance of trust and well-being in their parenting journey.