Traditional pictures

If a stranger ever said to me “let your child sit on my lap and take a picture” his smile would end up looking like one of the visitors at a monster truck rally!!

So why is it I dress my child up, take him to wait in a line to do just that? This ritual happens twice a year, once at Christmas and once at Easter. It is insane. Who is behind that beard or scary rabbit head? A crack head, a drunk, a prison escapee? It could be anyone!! I could be leading my child straight onto the lap of very sick individual. But there I am, telling my baby to smile, look, it is Santa/Easter bunny. Today I did just that. I readily admit it my faithful few, I am the worlds most horrible mother. I am sure my son would agree.

My son did not want to wait in line, there was a fountain behind him. He wanted to play in the water and run up and down the steps, looking with amazement at the coins in it. I giddily looked at my husband and informed him to bring the baby to me, it is almost his turn. I brushed his hair one last time, made sure his clothes looked ok, led him by the hand to a freaky looking over sized rabbit. His suit probably riddled with germs from the many children who graced his lap prior.

My child did not want to sit with or be near this creature. I coaxed him, told him it would be ok, I cheerily said, “oh, look, it the easter bunny…yeah, say hi to him”. He refused! I picked up the frustrated child and placed him on the petri bowl lap of the man I know nothing about.

I have my yearly picture. It is of a screaming, miserable child. I think to myself, is it worth it? I teach my children to be leery of strangers. I thought to myself next year I will forgo this process. But, will I? I think not. I must find deranged humor in making my child miserable and uncomfortable.

I will show him the pictures when he is older. I just hope he doesn’t harbor any resentment towards me when he sees the sheer look of misery on his face!