Santa Clause

[wiseguide]

Do you think it's right to tell children there is a Santa Clause? Is it lying?

 

[andiesmama]

Methinks there's been a discussion on this before but sure, I'll answer...& not going into "debate" mode or anything...

Yes, I'm teaching my 2 year old about Santa Claus. I'm also teaching her about Jesus & that we celebrate His birthday at Christmas.

As for they lying part, I guess it would be considered lying, if you want to get techinical. As for me, my parents taught me about Santa Claus & I wasn't traumatized when I found out that he, as the person, didn't exist. The taught me that he's the "spirit" of Christmas...the "giving" spirit. That, also, is what I hope to instill in my daughter.

 

[Svt4Him]

My son knew about Santa, and believed he existed until he was...well, he still probably does. I purposed never to lie about it, but I do teach the good like I would any story, movie or fairytale.

 

[yeshuaskid]

Methinks there's been a discussion on this before but sure, I'll answer...& not going into "debate" mode or anything...

There has been discussion before but, well...let's do it again.

Yes, I'm teaching my 2 year old about Santa Claus. I'm also teaching her about Jesus & that we celebrate His birthday at Christmas.

We decided not to do the Santa Claus thing with my daughter and just went with Jesus. We tell her about St. Nicholas but, my past memories made me not want to go down the same path.

As for they lying part, I guess it would be considered lying, if you want to get techinical.

I couldn't agree with you more. My daughter believes that dogs talk so, technically, I'm lying by not telling her? Geez...I want my daughter to have a healthy imagination. She is only going to be little for such a short time.

As for me, my parents taught me about Santa Claus & I wasn't traumatized when I found out that he, as the person, didn't exist.

I was so traumatized! I called my parents liars and ruined our holiday! This isn't the norm, however.

They taught me that he's the "spirit" of Christmas...the "giving" spirit. That, also, is what I hope to instill in my daughter.

I think it comes down to being a personal decision. While my daughter doesn't do Santa...we have friends who do. They believe in God just like me. I enjoy the whole thing and it doesn't change my opinion of my friends who don't practice what I do. When it comes right down to it...we wouldn't do anything to hurt our kids. It's like passing down our memories from our childhood. I think it's pretty cool.

We can get so technical if we let ourselves. I have friends in church who won't put up a Christmas tree because they believe it is a pagan ritual. So be it! It doesn't make me respect them any less. They just don't do things like me.

My long-winded point is that Santa or No Santa...as long as you are teaching your child about Jesus and that he is the reason for the season then...what does it matter what anyone else thinks. It's your child.

God Bless.....

 

[HeatherJay]

Do you think it's right to tell children there is a Santa Clause? Is it lying?

My daughter believes that sunbeams mean that God is sitting on a cloud. She is convinced that rainbows are filled with chocolate. She believes that if you wish on a star then your wish will come true. Is it lying to not tell her the facts about those things? Same thing with Santa Claus. I think it's harmless childhood fun. I think big imaginations are healthy things.

It all depends how you choose to parent your children. I find it offensive to call parents who let their children believe in those things liars...I think to each his own.

 

[yeshuaskid]

Amen...HeatherJay!

 

[desi]

My wife lies about Santa and I tell them Santa is mommy. My fear is lying about Santa will question my children's belief in Jesus when the see through the lie of Santa.

 

[fox03]

For me, I was never told that Santa even existed. I knew about Santa from the movies, and had my picture taken with him at the mall, and we still used Santa for things around the house, and Christmas cookies. However I never believed he existed, and thus never went through the grief of finding out that there is no Santa.

I will do the same thing for my kids.

 

[Zoomer]

My wife lies about Santa and I tell them Santa is mommy. My fear is lying about Santa will question my children's belief in Jesus when the see through the lie of Santa.

I think you are doing more harm by undermining your wife's parenting choices and essentially telling them that Mommy is a liar. It's one thing to both say Santa exists or does not but when you disagree-- one parent is fingering the other as a liar. That is something that will have more impact on you child later in life than Santa.



Santa brings us gifts to celebrate Jesus' birthday. I still get presents from Santa, and I enjoy it. We have no idea how our children are going to feel about the choices we made for them later in life. I have a friend who is 30, and she grew up WITHOUT Santa. She is doing it with her child because she hated how her mother did Christmas. The same can be said those who grew up with Santa but are now oing without.

The arguement always gets reduced to an arguement of lying. My daughter believes that My Little Ponies are real, that Cinderella is an actual person, and that she can have the profession of Princess when she is older. Am I lying to her if I play along? Technically, I am since none of the above are truths. Will she be scarred or is it a normal part of childhood? I believe the later. Santa is no different. My children will eventually learn that dogs cannot talk, that Cinderella is only a story, and that Santa is also story based on a real man.

 

[bliz]

I have friends who told there children there was no Santa in no uncertain terms. And when the kids stayed at my house one night (to give Mom and Dad a night alone) they informed me that they knew the truth about Santa.

"Oh, really?" I asked.

"Yes, Mom and Dad told us how Santa isn't real, like Jesus, the real reason for Christmas. And we tell them we know there is no Santa. But we know there really is."

Go figure.

 

[andiesmama]

You guys made me boo-hoo with all the imagination stories of your little ones!! Rainbows made of chocolate, dogs talking, growing up to be a Princess...I just had to say a big praise God for the blessings of our children and how they can open our eyes as adults!!

 

[mojorising]

I don't see the harm in Santa, as long as he gets what the day really means when he's old enough.

 

[Mrs. Enigma]

I heard of a child who tuned their back on God later after finding out that Santa was alie. My parents never lied about it and we were as happy or happier than other kids. I, however, do not celebrate x-mas at all with my kids cuz of the pagan origin, magic reindeer, Santa put in God's place, etc.
My kids are fine, have lots of toys, and are happy without any of that stuff.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Methinks there's been a discussion on this before but sure, I'll answer...& not going into "debate" mode or anything...

Yes, I'm teaching my 2 year old about Santa Claus. I'm also teaching her about Jesus & that we celebrate His birthday at Christmas.

As for they lying part, I guess it would be considered lying, if you want to get techinical. As for me, my parents taught me about Santa Claus & I wasn't traumatized when I found out that he, as the person, didn't exist. The taught me that he's the "spirit" of Christmas...the "giving" spirit. That, also, is what I hope to instill in my daughter.

I'll second this 100%

 

[wiseguide]

I feel kind of bad. When I was a kid I told my younger brother about Santa. I figured out the truth and told him. It upset him. But I wasn't mature enough to think about what I was doing.


I was an immature jerk. My older brother never did that to me.

 

[TracyLynn]

Maybe a white lie? Anyways........my children do believe in Santa Clause but, they also know who Jesus is and my children can state who Jesus is and what he has done for us here on Earth! Pretty smart kids!

But, I don't think there is anything wrong with make belief. A child is only a child once.

Blessings~
TracyLynn

 

[Zacharias]

Suppose your child learns that Santa isn't real? Maybe Jesus isn't real. Your parents tell about a great guy who gives out presents. He isn't real. Your parents tell about a great guy who "died for your sins." Is He real?

"You told me Santa was real, but he isn't. Is Jesus real? How do I know you're telling me the truth? You lied to me once, how do I know you won't lie again."

 

[Mayzoo]

We are emphasizing Christ's birth for Christmas. However, we are also celebrating the spirit of the wonderful saint Nick--a giving fellow. Look him up. So we are mixing the two and leaving out the materialism and "fantasy" and emphasing Christ and good will.

 

[Celticflower]

In our house the kids believe in Santa as the spirit of giving. But they know the real reason we celebrate Christmas even better than they know the stories of Santa. One of my favorite images of Christmas is the one with Santa kneeling at the manger before making his rounds.
Kids grow up so fast, let them enjoy the fantasy for a while. They will probably outgrow it before you want them to.

Celtie

 

[Andy Broadley]

There is nothing wrong with kids believing in Father Christmas (Santa to my American friends) or the tooth fairy. For some reason we never did the Easter Bunny (don't know why, it just never happened). However, we make sure that the kids understand the real meaning of Christmas and Easter.

And don't forget the perks. In our house, before they go to bed on Christmas eve, each child leaves Father Christmas a glass of whisky to keep him warm. We have got 4 kids!!

So lets not worry about this too much. Being a child is about being loved and having fun. And theres no reason why being a parent can't be fun as well.