Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here .

Dear Care and Feeding,

My wife “Bridget” and I have an almost-2-year-old son, “Caiden.” We took Caiden to the mall today for a photo with Santa and Caiden got freaked out and had a meltdown. Bridget was pissed and now says we have to try again as she is determined to get a photo of our son smiling with Santa for her parents. Our son is scared of strangers in general and I really don’t think this is a good idea right now. I’m concerned that if she tried to force him, he’s going to develop a fear of what should be a character that he would otherwise enjoy when he gets a bit older. What can I do to convince my wife that it would be smarter to get the pic of Caiden and Santa

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