In the festive buzz of Christmas traditions, I find myself entangled in an unexpected dilemma – shoud the Elf on the Shelf grace our home and become part of our evolving Christmas traditions? As a clinical psychologist and advocate for responsive, gentle, and attachment-focused parenting, this decision has unexpectedly become a complex journey. To be honest, the Elf on the Shelf didn’t register on my parenting radar until a few weeks ago. The whimsical dolls, supposedly Santa’s eyes and ears, seem harmless but carry a not-so-jolly message – behave, or face the risk of no presents on Christmas morning.

In a world awash with relentless streams of heartbreaking news, my silence on social media has been a conscious choice, not a lack of care or compassion. The unfolding events are unfathomable, and I find myself at a loss for words to describe the depth of their impact. The emotions they evoke are as tumultuous as the events themselves. Amid this turmoil, I am also keenly aware of the media's powerful influence on our lives and, more importantly, on our children's well-being. In an age where information flows ceaselessly, our children are exposed to a deluge of distressing events through the media. From natural disasters to acts of violence, they witness these events through news reports, social media, and sometimes even through fictionalised portrayals in movies and TV shows.