It was happening again. I was nervous, my heart racing and my stomach doing its best Mary Lou Retton impersonation. I stood there thinking that if I could make it through the next few minutes still standing, then I could call it a success. I started wringing my hands and silently wishing for the strength to face the challenge that was now only a few feet away. And just as I thought my legs were about to buckle from the anxiety, the woman dressed in green motioned to me to move forward. So I grabbed my two year old daughter’s hand and led her up to see Santa Claus.
I have always been a fan of the big guy but now, as a parent, trips to see the guy in red have become a roller coaster of emotion, like watching a horror movie: you know it’s not going to end well and it’s only a matter of how gory it’s going to get. You see, we’ve had three Christmases with my daughter. The first, when she was three months old, was quiet and peaceful. We simply placed her in Santa’s arms and click, done. Last year was a little more tense.
We visited two Santas that year. As we walked up to Santa’s chair, I could feel my daughter literally dragging her feet and, at times, picking them up in order to throw her body weight to the ground. She started to protest and whimper. Surely Santa, I thought, will recognize this as an opportunity to show off that famous jolly old personality and to let out a resounding “bowl full of laughter” laugh. Nothing. The guy sat there and never moved, never said a word. He sat, frozen in fear, as I did my best to coax her forward. I tried to pick her up for the standard “Santa’s lap” photo but she wasn’t going to go willingly and with no help from the bearded guy in the red suit, I decided that desperate times called for desperate measures. I picked her up in my arms and planted myself squarely on his knee.
Having had plenty of pictures of me on Santa’s lap from my childhood, I decided to keep up the quest for a picture perfect visit with Santa. A week later, we encountered Santa at another mall. We circled his village a few times so she could establish the relationship from a distance. Santa picked up on our plan of attack because after a few trips around, we noticed he started waving hello. Ok, I thought, he gets it. Maybe this time was going to be different.
It was different. He engaged my daughter, asking her to give him a high five, commenting on the pretty shoes she was wearing. He referred to her by name and suggested toys that he might be leaving under the tree for her. Ok, so she still wasn’t a fan and did cry a bit, but I was pleased to see that this Santa had proven him worthy of the $20 I was shelling out.
We visited that same Santa this year and, well, you’ll see the results below. Let’s just say that as a first time parent, I have discovered the hard way that as they grow, kids get smarter – and a little more sure of what they like and don’t like. But just as he was last year, Santa was kind and understanding and tried his hardest to make my daughter feel comfortable – she just had other ideas.
Finding a company to work for is very much like finding the perfect Santa; it’s important to remember that your decision should be based on the overall picture. Take into account the entire package, not just the obvious beard and red suit. When I talk about
I have always been a fan of the big guy but now, as a parent, trips to see the guy in red have become a roller coaster of emotion, like watching a horror movie: you know it’s not going to end well and it’s only a matter of how gory it’s going to get. You see, we’ve had three Christmases with my daughter. The first, when she was three months old, was quiet and peaceful. We simply placed her in Santa’s arms and click, done. Last year was a little more tense.
We visited two Santas that year. As we walked up to Santa’s chair, I could feel my daughter literally dragging her feet and, at times, picking them up in order to throw her body weight to the ground. She started to protest and whimper. Surely Santa, I thought, will recognize this as an opportunity to show off that famous jolly old personality and to let out a resounding “bowl full of laughter” laugh. Nothing. The guy sat there and never moved, never said a word. He sat, frozen in fear, as I did my best to coax her forward. I tried to pick her up for the standard “Santa’s lap” photo but she wasn’t going to go willingly and with no help from the bearded guy in the red suit, I decided that desperate times called for desperate measures. I picked her up in my arms and planted myself squarely on his knee.
Having had plenty of pictures of me on Santa’s lap from my childhood, I decided to keep up the quest for a picture perfect visit with Santa. A week later, we encountered Santa at another mall. We circled his village a few times so she could establish the relationship from a distance. Santa picked up on our plan of attack because after a few trips around, we noticed he started waving hello. Ok, I thought, he gets it. Maybe this time was going to be different.
It was different. He engaged my daughter, asking her to give him a high five, commenting on the pretty shoes she was wearing. He referred to her by name and suggested toys that he might be leaving under the tree for her. Ok, so she still wasn’t a fan and did cry a bit, but I was pleased to see that this Santa had proven him worthy of the $20 I was shelling out.
We visited that same Santa this year and, well, you’ll see the results below. Let’s just say that as a first time parent, I have discovered the hard way that as they grow, kids get smarter – and a little more sure of what they like and don’t like. But just as he was last year, Santa was kind and understanding and tried his hardest to make my daughter feel comfortable – she just had other ideas.
Finding a company to work for is very much like finding the perfect Santa; it’s important to remember that your decision should be based on the overall picture. Take into account the entire package, not just the obvious beard and red suit. When I talk about
Sodexo to prospective candidates, I discuss the many benefits that extend beyond the salary. It’s the commitment to stopping hunger and overall sense of community responsibility that sets Sodexo apart from others in its industry. It’s an understanding that employees’ needs are not going to be the same and addressing them in different ways like flexible work arrangements and medical plans.
Getting a picture taken is a fleeting moment but your career isn’t. Your employer of choice should dress and act the part not just appear to from the outside and disappoint once you get ready to say cheese.
.Getting a picture taken is a fleeting moment but your career isn’t. Your employer of choice should dress and act the part not just appear to from the outside and disappoint once you get ready to say cheese.
Michele Posehn started with Sodexo as a Senior Recruiter in February 2007. She currently recruits for culinary related positions for the Hospitals division in the New York metro area. Michele welcomes anyone out there looking for a company that is diverse and full of opportunity to follow her on Twitter.
3 comments:
Great Post Michele! you got me in the Christmas spirit.
Jen Tschilar
Once again a very creative post!
This photo is very similar to the one of my 19 month old daughter and Santa. Her grandmother took her to the mall and thought a photo with Santa would make a nice present for us. It is certainly a memorable picture!
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