i have a 3 yr old and have up until this xmas, been debating over whether it is right to be lying to my child by teaching him about santa. i want him to have the magical experience of xmas that children love, but find i have to almost physically force myself to talk about it with him. it saddens me to see his all trusting face as i talk to him aobut it all.
what have you all felt about it?
2006-12-08 00:59:44 · 15 answers · asked by noodle 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I have a 3 year old, and we're telling him the truth about Santa. The main reason we're doing this is because of how my husband found out that Santa Claus wasn't real. He came to school after the Christmas Holidays and realized that a lot of the poorer kids in his class didn't get any presents for Christmas. Some "magical" christmas...having to worry about why Santa ignored the kids who needed presents the most.
As a secondary reason, all the mall Santas freaked me out as a kid. Every year, mom made me get a picture with Santa. It amazes me that all year long we teach kids to avoid strangers, but when the holiday comes, we drag them (in my case, kicking and screaming) to sit on a strangers lap and pose for a picture.
I've told him about the real Saint Nick who gave secret presents. We watch all the holiday stories, but I just don't make believe he's more than a character in those stories.
The kid doesn't have to believe a fat guy is going to break into the house to leave presents to be innocent or for the holidays to be magical. You make holidays special by decorating, cooking, buying presents for friends, opening presents, watching and reading holiday stories, and (imagine this) actually focusing on the purpose behind the holiday to begin with. There's plenty of magic in the birth of Christ without distracting from it.
I don't think lying to the kid about Santa is a bad thing, but if you don't get any joy out of doing it, then it kindof defeats the purpose anyway. The point is to have a magical holidays TOGETHER.
2006-12-08 01:41:56 · answer #1 · answered by LilyRT 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When your child questions Santa's reality, you can explain that Santa is real, just as love is real. Santa isn't the guy in the red suit and the mall. That guy is just the symbol for the unconditional love parents have for their children. Let your child enjoy the wonder and magic of Santa for now, and when he is old enough to understand, let him enjoy the wonder and magic that your love has always provided him.
2006-12-08 12:58:25 · answer #2 · answered by Cathy B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would let him have some fun as a child! They grow up too quickly anyway...BUT..........
We always taught about the birth of Christ as the center of the Christmas holiday. After our kids got older there was still magic-- just different--- we have our "Happy birthday Jesus!" cake and they are always expectant and making sure we will have the traditional foods. ALL of them remind me every year what we should have for the meal. They will quote back things I have told them about how the holiday is for giving And remembering Jesus. They have developed a sense of giving & family (they usually only have this time of year- so it HAS to be magic- ha!) Hope this helps! God bless you this Christmas...do not stress :-)
2006-12-08 09:21:30 · answer #3 · answered by jamocha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the child alone let him believe that there is a Santa!! Let him watch all the Christmas shows that come on television...Let the baby have that spirit, especially at the age of 3...If you tell him now than if he's in preschool he's going to ruin it for everyone else in his class...Think about it!
2006-12-08 09:13:06 · answer #4 · answered by Beautifull 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's 3 for God sakes...He has enough time in his later life to be told the truth. Believing in Santa is not really a lie, it's an idea, and it certainly isn't hurting anyone. I talked and still do to my granddaughter so much, I almost believe it myself!!!!
2006-12-08 09:09:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all from the age of 1 ur child will believe in santa but when ur child gets to the age of 7 you should tell them if they still don't find out by their self which i think they will u should tell them. Come on he is only three he has a long time to find out his self don't tell him that's what i prefer.
2006-12-08 09:06:38 · answer #6 · answered by Bella 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
3 years old?
Leave the child alone.
Let them found out how most do, through growing/friend's.
When mine finally figured it out it was because he and his best friend discussed it. I never knew he knew. We had such a big laugh about it when we finally found out he knew.
But, he still believes, because he believes in the spirit of Christmas.
Let your child be a child. Why in the world would you even consider bursting this child's bubble at three years old?
Why would it sadden you to see his face light up? Were you done badly regarding Christmas and you think you need to do the same?
PLEASE!
2006-12-08 09:02:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
From what I understand Santa; not the one promoted by store did exist as the Bishop of Myra. His name was Saint Nicholas, who had a reputation for secret gift-giving. So are you really lying to your son or celebrating the memory of this real individual.
Children these days seem to be stripped of their innocence far too early in their life. Please don’t rob him of this innocence. Best wishes, and merry Christmas!
2006-12-08 09:19:32 · answer #8 · answered by KC 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just let your kid figure out that there is no santa clause. Do you realy want the kid to be mad at you because you lied to them all this time. Kids get over this kind of thing when they are a little older.
2006-12-08 09:56:57 · answer #9 · answered by whitedragon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I let my daughter keep believing until she found out on her own at around 8 or 9 yrs old. It's exciting and magical for them, don't ruin it so early. Enjoy it while he's young and innocent, it goes quickly, don't make it go faster than it has to.
2006-12-08 09:06:08 · answer #10 · answered by cynicalbich 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋