I didn't want to do the Santa thing, mainly because I would like to make the focus of Christmas be on charity for those less fortunate and appreciating time with family, as well as the religious aspects. DH (who is Jewish, lol) feels strongly about doing Santa, so we will. It's not worth arguing over and I certainly don't think it does any harm to kids, so I'm going with it and will enjoy all the cute kid excitement that goes along with it.
What does Santa do to hinder your goal for Christmas? I don't get it.
Yes I am. I mean, I would explain the meaning of Santa and what he represents but not let my kids believe that he is real. Santa is a figure that stands for good things and I would want them to know about that. But Santa being an actual person is fiction, not fact.
Like Jesus!
Didn't Santa Claus start with Saint Nicholas who was real?
How many people, with a show of hands, hold "lying" about Santa against their parents?
Not I. Even when I found out, I got it. They wanted me to have fun. Because it WAS fun and exciting.
If you're still having issues in your 30s, go see a counselor. Because Santa is not the root cause.
thank you.
Jeez, people.
I don't know any child who gets mad at their parents for lying about Santa. If Henry gets mad about my "lies" then I'll say, okay, you can return 8 years worth of Santa presents. Lol.
How many people, with a show of hands, hold "lying" about Santa against their parents?
Not I. Even when I found out, I got it. They wanted me to have fun. Because it WAS fun and exciting.
If you're still having issues in your 30s, go see a counselor. Because Santa is not the root cause.
thank you.
Jeez, people.
I don't know any child who gets mad at their parents for lying about Santa. If Henry gets mad about my "lies" then I'll say, okay, you can return 8 years worth of Santa presents. Lol.
in the form of cold hard cash, let him pay for his own college education! lol
Also when the Santa issue comes up it always annoys me when the anti-santa people make it about gifts. It is not about gifts. I mean it is but that is not the fun part. I remember when I was a kid the most exciting part was the anticipation that this magical person was somehow going to sneak past me and bring gifts. And how in the world did he know I wanted that doll house? Also how cool was it when his reindeer ate the carrots I left them outside.
And as a parent it is a million times more fun to watch your child go through all of that. Sure they are excited about the gifts, but the fun conversations you have leading up to that day, writing notes to santa, the excitement as they go to bed that night etc. That is why I feel bad for people who don't go through this with their kids. I really can't wrap my head around that.
I bought Santa gifts for the grands last year and for the girls' mom's boyfriend's daughter. Mom and dad can't afford diddly. We weren't sure if she would come for Christmas or stay at her mom's. She didn't come but when her dad drove home with a trunkful of presents for her to open from Santa she was freaking excited. And I got a sweet "Thank You for letting Santa come to your house for me too."
That doesn't happen to Grinches. Sucks to be a grinch.
Making cookies and leaving cookies and milk for Santa, reading The Night Before Christmas, taking them to see the mall Santa, seeing their faces when there's a bite out of the cookie, writing a note to Santa and getting a response and a "Thank you for the cookie" back...it all adds up to a fun and happy time for everyone.
Post by dragonfly08 on Nov 21, 2012 19:56:15 GMT -5
I'm Jewish, as are my girls, so obviously I don't believe in Santa. I've never told my kids he's real.
But I've never come out and told them he isn't, either. I pretty much let them believe what they want and given the world around them, they've grown up believing. I take them to see him at the mall and for breakfast. Their dad (who is Christian) leaves gifts for them under the tree, marked from Santa.
If they ever ask me directly, I'll tell them "my" truth, but also question them about what they think. For a while longer, at least (they're 6 and 9 now), I'm pretty sure they'd say they still believe and I'll just tell them that's what belief is all about...we don't have to agree and their thoughts are just as valid as mine.