Bravehearts founder, Hetty Johnston has supported the concerns of some worried parents who say that the era of sitting on Santa’s lap has got to come to a close with some kids feeling pressured and forced to participate in the Christmas custom.
“The directive would be for children to stand beside, unless parents or children request to sit on his knee,” she told the Courier Mail.
“Shopping centres have duty of care to protect children on premises.
“We teach kids it’s ok to say no if they don’t feel safe.”
Johnston emphasised she is not trying to be a Grinch but simply is enforcing the need for children to be able assert themselves when they feel uncomfortable.
“This means not having to sit on anyone’s lap, including family members, if they don’t want to,” said Johnston.
The debate has come alive on social media with many saying that a blanket ban would be political correctness gone too far.
One user, Dario Western (@Dario_Western), tweeted: “Hetty Johnson needs to seriously be deported to the Bible Belt of America. We don’t need fun police like her in.”
While another, Hilary Sargent (@lilsarg), wrote: “As a mother and person of the Internet, I fully support you posting photos of your children crying on Santa’s lap. Smiling, no. Crying, yes.”
Social commentator Prue MacSween also didn’t seem to be a fan of the proposed Santa ban expressing her dislike for it online.
loonies r out. Proposing children don’t sit on Santa’s lap. Need to go back to their mung beans! @sunriseon7 @annamusson @Magdalena_Roze
