Christmas Pictures And Stories: Kids Afraid Of Santa

Although it's traditional for children to take pictures on Santa's lap each year, not all kids love the experience.

Nine-month-old Reynolds was ready to take his picture with Santa, at least his parents thought so. "I think we were a little naive about it. We were like, ‘If we can get him a nap, get him changed, and fed [it] should be great,'” said the infant's mother Lucinda Ross. Baby Reynolds ended up crying in his first photo with Mr. Claus. Rich Ross, the boy's father, said his expectations were to go in, smile, and take a picture. The first attempt did not happen that way.

There are many children that throw fits when it comes to posing with Santa. Two-year-old Dylan and twins Jack and Natalie looked very upset in their photos.

Sometimes the frightened kid flips out each year, and then other times it gets better with age. “It's like a rite of passage,” said Rich.

Sometimes it's better for the kids when their parents are close enough to be in the picture. Reynolds took another picture with Santa, but in this attempt he had his parents alongside him.

He looked much happier, knowing his mother and father were close. However, this doesn't work for all children.

In every case, the pictures are a wonderful Christmas memory. They are like the gift that keeps on giving, and they never get old.