I have often debated this in my own mind. Is it wrong to tell children the "worlds greatest lie" of Santa Claus? or it is a part of childhood that you should let your kids have fun with? Eventually you WILL have to explain that it was all a huge farce, so what do you think?
2006-12-15 16:40:59 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
We decided not to tell our children the "big lie" however I dont think it takes any fun out of the holiday rather we focus more on Jesus than Santa. But my children know not to tell & so far they have not.
2006-12-15 16:45:06 · answer #1 · answered by notAminiVANmama 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Santa Claus is not a lie. He exists every Christmas in the spirit and hearts of millions of people around the world when they give to each other.
There is nothing wrong with the childhood fantasy of Santa. It makes Xmas fun for them and excites them. It would be a sad world if kids could not just be kids and enjoy a little make believe. By the time they are old enough to know the truth, it won't hurt them or destroy their lives. I believed in Santa as a kid and so did my brothers and sisters. Xmas would not have been the same if we did not, and we all grew up normal functioning adults that were not traumatized by the truth.
2006-12-15 16:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by MRod 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think its wrong if you never let children believe in Santa Clause.
It is part of growing up as a kid. Finding out on your own that it was a lie is a harmless life experience that a child needs. A child isn't going to hate you forever if you lie to them about Santa. Its an experience they need that will help them realize that people will lie to you.
In saying that, I do not believe this is the only reason why you should continue to tell children that Santa Clause is real
2006-12-15 17:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by bill f 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
we teach our children from the time their old enough to talk, that they should tell the truth. Even white lies are lies.
If we're telling them that they can trust us and that we wouldnt lie to them, then we shouldnt lie to them.
A couple years ago my husband and i got our daughter and son each a puppy. we told them that santa brought them in the middle of the night.
They were so happy,and curious as to how santa could have gotten into our house because we lock all the doors at night, and we had a fire going in the wood stove. so of course, that called for some more white lies. I have since told them about santa not being real. They were so shocked that i lied to them about santa.
I think to be completely honest with your children, you should tell them that its jesus birthday. And tell them of the three wise men bearing gifts at jesus birth. Children only know and display what the have heard or seen or have been told. Trust is a big thing and is needed for a good self esteem and to be sure of yourself as you get older. You cant be to sure of yourself if all your childhood your arents were telling you you are the greatest and then to find out that as a child they told you things to make me happy at the time they didnt tell you the truth.
2006-12-15 18:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think I have ever had a conversation with any of my children about Santa Claus being real or not. I think they just assumed he was real, just because they would hear/talk about Santa at school, see him in malls, etc.
While my children were very young, I just kind of let them have fun with it. My children are all very intelligent, so it was not long before they realized that Santa was really mommy and daddy and I allowed them to find out on their own and trust me...........they were not at all devastated. That just allowed them to hold their hands out more all through the year, rather than just one time a year!
HA!
2006-12-15 16:48:22 · answer #5 · answered by Staci C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Parents generally never have to explain anything. When kids find out on their own, it's no big deal and live goes on as usual. If you were a parent, you would know this.
It's not a lie..it's contributing to a childs imagination and letting them believe in a little magic. When your child asks you where that steak came from, I suppose you will tell him the whole truth???
2006-12-16 00:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mother in law always tells people that "Santa is the spirit of Christmas and once you stop believing, he stops coming." She gives all her big gifts from Santa. And Santa was real, once upon a time. I know that I missed the magic feeling once I knew, would you really want to deprive your child of that? I know that is why I let mine believe, childhood is all about magic.
PS My parents didn't tell my older sister about Santa but she came home from school asking what Santa was bringing her. They learn a lot from their peers.
2006-12-15 16:50:30 · answer #7 · answered by 1 Supermom 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'll let my son take a candy-cane or two from Santa, but he's only 18 months old, when he gets to the age where he asks, I'll tell him the story of good 'ol Saint Nick and how he delivered toys to the boys and girls that needed them, but my wife and i have decided to let him find out on his own, we aren't going to influence him either way.
2006-12-17 04:23:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Children will have enough tough realities to deal with as teens and adults. Let them enjoy the spirit of giving. I know how absurd it is to think of a big fat white man dropping presents off for no reason. My parents taught us, that Santa delivers the gifts you ask him for, but mom and dad have to pay him so he can pay the elves and feed the reindeer. As odd as it sounds, it gave us an appreciation of what we got and we never became spoiled brats.
2006-12-15 16:50:53 · answer #9 · answered by Cherry_Blossom 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No its not wrong, every kid is told about Santa, and then when they grow up they find out on their own that Santa is not real.
2006-12-16 08:00:24 · answer #10 · answered by Lo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋