November 29, 2011
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Banned From Santa’s Lap
Children in a U.K. school system will not be allowed to sit in Santa’s lap this year. The Santa’s would be volunteer parents but would not have to pass a background check.
The decision was made because “The climate we work in, and the risks of getting it wrong, mean many school leaders err on the side of caution.” Here is the link: Link
Do you think it is safe for children to sit on Santa’s lap?
Comments (47)
Depends who Santa is….
Santa’s creepin’,
I think each “Santa” needs to have passed a background check and then I think it’s fine. A lot of little kids are scared of sitting on Santa’s lap at first, at least at the school I work at.
those santa pictures are great! haha. I hated sitting in Santa’s lap as a kid. I still find the idea of it pretty weird and hypocritical. You tell your kids “don’t go near strangers” and yet you plop them on some fat, smelly guy in a red coat with a fake beard and tell them to smile for the camera.
They afraid the kids will find Santa is happy to see them?
I’m with the schools on this one.
I think as long as a parent or a responsible person is supervising the Santa session, it should be fine. As soon as something odd is happening I’m sure the parent/teacher would remove the child and report the mishap.
It that a toy sword in your pocket or are you just happy to see me, Santy?
It doesn’t really matter. The potential for liability, however remote, is unacceptable to schools. They don’t like bad press and lawsuits.
Those kids don’t seem to think it’s safe! Poor things!
I think the background check is definitely good
He just wants to touch all the little children’s. … hearts.
i never bothered to do the “sit in santa’s lap” thing whie growing up… but not because i/my parents thought it was dangerous. i think it’s fine, as long as there is adult supervision present.
I never allowed my children to believe in him, so, I never let them sit in his lap anyway.
Yes, it is safe for children to shit in Santa’s lap, though the kids left in the line might not have a fun time. That might explain those pics.
well Jerry Sandusky liked to dress up as Santa so yeah that’s a good move.
My son would agree with those kids in the picture. Santa is a madman. Last year, my son ran for his life through the mall to get away from Santa so we had no picture of him crying on Satan Claws lap.
yeah, at camp we’re not allowed to help a kid put sunscreen on, even if its on their face!
sad that there are people like that out there….
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Honestly, its not about Santy Clause here, but you, man ! I think a background check on your persona is well over due.
I think this is kind of crazy… maybe they would need a background check if santa was taking children off somewhere on holiday or caring for them alone, but there will be other adults, teachers, parents there I’m assuming so it is just a little too much precaution. There are very many people who do bad things, but when you make everything so difficult and official and such, it’s kind of like letting them win. And anyway, what is wrong with just some simple conversation with the “potential santa” to get an idea who he is and make good personal judgement? But, I do think this kind of over managing and excessive safety precaution issues is very much part of things in the U.K. and I must say that I hope it does not spread elsewhere in the EU.
@a_girl_with_a_pen - thing is, it only takes one incident for parents to sue the school and for a teacher to lose their job. It might be strict, but in such a sue-happy time, they’re only doing what’s best for them.
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after looking at the photos you posted I bet that Santa is happy that he won’t have to do it anymore! lol
@mtngirlsouth - Mike and I were saying the other night (since Christmas is coming) that we don’t think we’ll do Santa for our kids.
Actually, Santa is just a cover invented by the media to hide the evil activities of the elves. Santa is innocent! Put the blame where it really lies.
I think they’d have to pass a background check. Honestly it’s all kinda creepy…I never thought that before until this year when my kids were sitting on Santa’s lap @ the mall…it’s weird. BUT they loved it!
Being santa is a very hard job. I think most kids that have a problem with siting in santa’s lab were forced in to it. Most kids hate doing what they are forced to do anyways. I have also met some santas the behind the fake beard where girls. Also if you let your kids do the siting in santas lap thing, mall santas are normally very professional and most go through very good training, if you don’t go with the mall santa, I would suggest it be someone you know.
We still have photos somewhere when me and my sister were kids going to see santa and sitting on his lap.
It was weird since when I went to beavers when I was younger (about 5) Santa came, but a few days later we got taken to Santa in the shopping centre.
Sitting on Santa lap is not really safe, also pulling of his beard is not a good idea.
As long as the parents of the child are present, sure. It’s ultimately their decision. If not, and the school is responsible and they have not done background checks, I would err on the side of caution and say no.
@brrraaaiiins - Wanna sit on my lap, tell Santa what you want for Xmas darling?
More political-correctness gone insane.
This crap keeps up, we’ll need a background check when ordering a bloody burger from McDonald’s.
Someone started a rumor that the UK is the island of pedophile Santas.
Reminds me of the Saturday Night Live bit with John Belushi “Santi-Wrap” about a disposable tissue children should use before sitting on (drunken Belushi) Santa’s lap.
I never liked sitting on his lap and I got the pics to prove it. Never made my children pose unless they requested it.
Society is such a mess today that now our beloved Santa Claus is a pedophile. Give liberals control of our society, and this is what happens. Everyone, thank the liberals for destroying yet another holiday… thank them for destroying your childhood. Now, everyone wearing a santa suit will be pulled over by the local police on suspicion of being a pedophile. *claps* wonderful job liberals. What holiday will you destroy for us next? I bet they don’t touch the Gay Pride Parade.
hmm..never really gave this thought before
But I figured as long as it’s in a public mall, everyone watching, it would be ok
Santa’s got to go. Something to do with global warming i think. He does not fit any longer and people can feel it and react to it.
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Sitting on Santas lap as a child was a scary thing. But it made the the best pictures!
@RulerofMasons - This ‘Loborn’ seems rather well-known, and universally-hated. I like this guy already.
@Bro__oke - *pats my lap* C’mere child. Sit on Santa’s lap, tell me what you want for Christmas.
i think they should check the backgrounds of some of those kids too, and the parents.. oh hell, better check everyone’s background!
Absolutely, they have been doing it for years. What reasons would it not be safe. A creep isn’t going to take the temporary job as Santa if they are a creeper, at least Id hope not.
Just stop doing Santa. Hell, stop doing pretty much anything that involves human interaction and eventually society will realize that there’s no need to be so batshit crazy paranoid that everyone is a rapist / murderer.