Any reasons I should tell him the truth?
Any reasons I shouldn't?
Oh, and this will be applicable only in the future as my son is only 1 and a half currently.
Personally, when I found out about Santa and the Easter Bunny and the Toothfairy, I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't disillusioned. My dreams weren't crushed. In fact, I felt rather enlightened and pleased to know the reality of it all.
My only worry is that he might talk to his friends about it, tell them that his mommy told him there is no Santa and that when those children tell their parents, those parents will call up angry, wondering why my kid is "ruining Christmas". Is that reason enough to just let him play along for a while?
2006-12-04 07:13:30 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
I am actually going through this right now with my seven year old daughter. I grew up knowing the truth about Santa and I was kind of peer pressured into not telling my own daughter the truth. I regret it. It doesn't feel "magical" to lie to my child. I should have told her the truth from the beginning. She even asked me to mail Santa a letter and I told her I did. Wait until she finds out it was all a lie. I want her to trust me and my judgement. Will she still trust me when she finds out I was in on this conspiracy to keep her believing Santa? Why should Santa take all the credit for gifts that we work hard to get her? I know it's close to Christmas but I think I will tell her. She is asking for things that are impossible get in the States. She's going to be disappointed either way. If telling the truth about Santa "ruins " people's Christmas, maybe they should re-evaluate what Christmas is about. The story below is great.
2006-12-08 04:43:52 · answer #1 · answered by cherrycat79 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When I was a child and I found out Santa wasn't real (at the age of five thanks to my older brother), I was really mad that he wasn't. Not because my parents lied to me, but because I really loved believing in him. Sometimes I still wish I did! I have a nine year old stepson that still believes in Santa. We have decided to tell him next year (if he doesn't already know by then) the truth. Which will be really depressing for us because we look forward to having Santa every year. Enjoy the fun while you can, you will be surprised by how fast the years go!
We have a little bun in the oven so we'll get to start all over again with her. You better believe that she will believe as long as it is possible!
2006-12-04 15:51:51 · answer #2 · answered by Pren 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wait...at 1.5 he is to young to even understand the concept. My 6 y.o. still believes in Santa...and now the Tooth Fairy since we are going to be loosing teeth soon.
I have heard arguments of ppl saying I am lying to my children etc...but truth is why do I want to take away that little bit of magic that we all enjoyed as a child just yet?? That seems worse than a "white lie" Now that just seems to be the way of the world. I am open and honest with my kid on every single question he brings me but if he wants to believe in Santa I am not going to stop him. Even when kids at school have told him otherwise I ask him what he thinks he says he believes...so even then you don't have to worry about other kids ruining it. They will believe as long as they want to.
He will find out either when you tell him or he just finds out. and is ready to accept that. BUT please for now let him hold onto the belief that there is still some magic is this world!!!
2006-12-05 23:02:59 · answer #3 · answered by MaryJaneD 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's a kind and thoughtful question. If I were you I'd let him enjoy Santa as a little child, but as soon as he's grown enough to really ask about it, tell him the truth, that Santa is a metaphor for his (your son's) parents' love, and Christmas gift-giving is in emulation of God's greatest Gift to us: His own Son. You sound like a good Dad--Merry Christmas to you and your family!
2006-12-04 15:40:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'll tell you what I told another lady concerned about this same issue.
You may want to tell your son about Santa but it's a lie.
There should be no reason ever to lie to your children.
You're just setting him to be disappointed in the end.
Also, what is true is far more important than what others think. Your son will appreciate your honesty in the end.
One more thing. I read some of your other Q&A's and I am surprised that you wold consider telling him at all.
2006-12-08 15:10:32 · answer #5 · answered by nay_rocks 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's no fun for a child to find out that his parent deliberately lied to him. Tell him the truth-- that Santa Claus is based on a real-life person, Saint Nicholas, a bishop, who lived in the Asia minor and who would give gifts to ppl at Christmas. Also, that Christmas is the celebration of the birthday of Christ and that the trappings of Christmas (the tree, Christmas lights, egg nog, toys, etc.) are things that were added on by people (mostly in Germany and Victorian-era England).
2006-12-04 16:03:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it can only be a good thing to believe in Santa. Even after your son finds out the "truth" he'll still believe in the spirit of Christmas, that's the important thing. It's important for kids to believe in magic.
With the world the way it is today I can't see how believing in Santa can be anything but positive.
2006-12-04 15:33:51 · answer #7 · answered by Tim W 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
For me and my kids (when I have them) I would not encourage Santa or the Easter bunny. I would want my kids to know the truth about things and for them to grow up knowing that I will always be truthful. Trust is something you don't want to lose with your kids.
I also have religious reasons for this, but if you don't then just be honest. Let them dream up their own dreams and tell them the real story of Saint Nick. They may upset some kids at school, but it's up to their parents to be front and honest with their kids.
2006-12-04 15:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by amanda w 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The truth is that Santa DOES exist!!
haha, j/k - But we're all faced with the sometimes harsh real world soon enough when we grow up - so why not enjoy being a kid as long as ever possible.
2006-12-04 21:11:48 · answer #9 · answered by ♫ Nightingale 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well while he's a little child it's OK to tell him there is Santa Clause and you're right when he goes to school it will be different. By that time he'll be 5 or 6 yrs old and you can tell him then about the truth. I don't think he'll be too crushed, kids are very bright and will be alright. I did this with my daughter and while she thought this was true we had so much fun. When I explained to her about Santa Clause she was just fine.
2006-12-04 15:20:32 · answer #10 · answered by justmmez 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋