A Miami toddler, Adley, refused to sit on Santa’s lap during a visit, prompting Santa, Steve Lantz, to affirm her decision, emphasizing her right to choose.
Adley’s mother
, Katie Love, captured the interaction on video and posted it on TikTok, where it gained significant attention.
The video sparked discussions about teaching children about bodily autonomy and consent, with many applauding the approach. (Trending: Assault Weapons Ban Set To Take Effect, Here’s What To Know)
My 3-year-old said "no" to sitting on Santa's lap and Santa applauded her for it!🔥his response was epic! pic.twitter.com/1KsYdiJkgS
— Katie Love (@KatieLoveSocial) December 14, 2023
“When she said, ‘No,’ I’m thinking, ‘OK, I’m Santa. That’s a huge responsibility,'” shared Steve Lantz, a pastor and paid Santa Claus.
“Because you’re not just a celebrity impersonator — there’s a legacy,” he explained.
“Even before he was Santa, he was Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra,” added Lantz.
Adding, “I’ve got to get this right.”
Last week, Katie Love and her three-year-old daughter Adley dressed up to visit Santa Claus at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne in Miami.
“They were having a holiday party and my daughter for weeks has been so excited to meet Santa and tell him that she wants a purple bike for Christmas,” recalled Katie Love.
“We’re actually Jewish, but she is obsessed with all things Christmas,” added the mother.
“I could tell she was getting a little nervous,” Love said..
“So I said, ‘Adley, you can go up there, but you don’t have to sit on his lap. That’s your choice. You can decide what you feel most comfortable with.'”
“It could have been a moment for Santa to make her feel awkward or uncomfortable, or he could have even just ignored it,” Love said, after her daughter rejected Santa’s invite.
“The idea of exchanging physical touch in order to get something or to get a present is a concept that I want to move away from, as I am trying to teach my daughter to be a confident woman,” proclaimed Love.
“I’m thinking this is my opportunity as a minister to be a legit Santa,” Lantz said.
“So I’m not thinking of the ‘ho ho hos.’ I’m just thinking about what’s good, what’s loving, what’s kind, what’s right, what’s godly,” reflected the pastor.
“He told her it’s her body and she gets to decide — and that not even Santa can make that decision for her,” Love said.
“And I thought that was a really incredible moment because the idea of sitting on Santa’s lap is very antiquated,” added Love
“The idea of exchanging physical touch in order to get something or to get a present is a concept that I want to move away from, as I am trying to teach my daughter to be a confident woman,” said the mother.
“I wasn’t expecting the video to resonate with so many people, but I got so many messages and comments from people who say they feel the same way,” Love said.
“We love an educated Santa,” one TikTok user commented.
“Way to teach your little lady boundaries early,” another user wrote.
“All Santas take note,” another person commented.
“I really don’t agree with that,” she said, about people criticizing her parenting style.
“Children have such little control, and for her to understand that she’s in control of who touches her body and who she wants to give physical touch to is very important,” explained Love.
Emphasizing, “I don’t think that that’s something that she needs to wait to learn.”
Lantz, a father himself, stressed the importance of empowering children to assert their boundaries early on.
Love highlighted the significance of teaching her daughter to say “no” without fear of consequences and the broader message of empowering women to stand up for themselves.
This interaction with Santa underscored the value of respecting a child’s choices and individuality.
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