Why do we lie and tell our kids that Santa brings them presents?? Doesn't that teach our kids that we as parents are liars and that it is okay to lie??
2006-12-19 00:28:24 · 18 answers · asked by 81% Naughty, 19% Nice 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Santa isn't just a single person. Santa is a state of mind, a willingness to believe in someone who cares about you and about what makes you happy, who makes an effort to visit EVERY boy and girl, no matter how good or bad, no matter how far.
Santa isn't about wearing a red suit and climbing down chimneys, Santa is about filling people's lives with joy, hope and happiness, however brief or long it lasts.
You may not always keep that Mickey Mouse Adventure Castle playset you got when you were 6 years old, but you will always have the memory. If Santa were a real person, that is what he would want.
2006-12-19 00:58:46 · answer #1 · answered by Khnopff71 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same reason we teach them the Earth is Round - even though you haven't got conclusive personal proof (unless you are an astronaut) you teach them what you learned as a young kid. You may have pulled the whiskers of one of Santa's Helpers in a mall, but you haven't searched the North Pole to disprove Santa
Just wait a couple of more decades, and you will be smiling back at the Big Guy in the red suit when he waves and greets you with a "Merry Christmas".
If you don't know for sure that Santa is real, be truthful! Tell your kids you don't know.
2006-12-19 09:47:27 · answer #2 · answered by wizebloke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa is a great example of collective Machiavellian thought.
In the back of our mind, we all know we are at least a little bit wrong for lying to our children, but since the end we want to achieve (a magical Christmas for our young ones) is justified by the means (a little white lie that never hurt anybody) we just go along with it.
However, the funny thing about the Santa myth is that it's also a myth that your kids have to believe in him to have a magical Christmas. My 3 year old knows that Santa is pretend, but he also knows that we give gifts because we love each other.
Christmas is magical for him because it's the one time each year that the whole family gets together and sets aside our differences. That's magic.
2006-12-19 08:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Bill C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We tell our kids about Santa because he does exist. When kids are children, it's fun to pretend Santa is a magical being who lives in the North Pole and comes down the chimney. (You wouldn't discourage your kids' creativity in any other area, would you?) At the same time, they are learning the meaning behind gift-giving, learning to be compassionate and selfless. Even when they learn Santa doesn't exist as a being, they still keep the meaning of Santa with them.
2006-12-19 08:44:00 · answer #4 · answered by oj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure...you're a liar....get comfortable with it.....and concentrate on the other spoken and unspoken messages you may be exposing your kids to...they may find them all a lie too someday.
But for now, the size of the lie, and keeping the bigger faiths like, peace on earth, goodwill towards mankind, are really just lies too, arent they? And when do you want your kids to find out that you are even a bigger liar than you are now?
In comparison to the bigger lies you will eventually tell your children, keeping the spirit of Santa Clause alive is not too big a deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-12-19 08:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by Rix T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children love the illusions of magical things. How boring would childhood be without the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, etc. It is fun being the parent and seeing the joy in your childrens' face and the sparkle in their eyes when speaking of these magical characters. When children find out, they only feel more grown up and so much a child.
2006-12-19 09:16:25 · answer #6 · answered by Teddy Bear 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, when you think about it too much it really is a horrible lie lol.
But I think the whole point is to bring spirit, joy and hope into your child's lives. (Not to mention it will get them to behave a little better).
I think it's a good thing, I've never known one human being who resented their parents for it. It's just something that gives a child excitement, something to look forward to. Makes life seem like there's less problems in the world, and plenty of good.
I truly wish I could still believe in Santa hah.... it definitely builds ones imagination....
2006-12-19 08:37:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never lied to my children. When they came to the age to ask, I simply stated the facts. I am not a generous person, in fact Scrooge before he turned all soft and cuddly, was my hero. When I give gifts, I give practical thing, like socks and underwear.
I asked my daughters to think this through. "Do you really think, that I, your miserly cold hearted mother, would give you the toys, books, dolls, movies and bikes that you wish for? Or doesn't it make sense that some magical person, such as Santa, would bring these things? After all, I'm the person who makes you do your homework, brush your teeth and go to bed when the good programs are on tv, does it make sense to you that I would give you anything but a new coat or toothbrush?"
I raised my daughters to think logically in this world of ours, and no it didn't make any sense that I would be the person to shower them with gifts. And they knew their father hadn't set foot in a store since he got married. So in our house Santa lives.
They are 23, one is married with a step daughter of her own, and both are in graduate school, and work full time jobs. These are down to earth, logically thinking young women. But they know their mother, and they know if its not Santa, it certainly isn't me.
Believe, its good for you.
2006-12-19 08:48:34 · answer #8 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do not stress Santa in our house. I guess I do it with my children so they can think that there are still good caring people in the world. I do not like to lie but it'd part of the wonder of Christmas.
2006-12-19 11:23:02 · answer #9 · answered by applecrisp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It helps children develop their imaginations as far as I am concerned. My children were not that upset when I explained about Santa Claus. Even knowing the truth now at ages 8 & 9 they still let their imaginations run wild about christmas espcially in regards to my 3 & 4 yo
2006-12-19 08:40:49 · answer #10 · answered by aingelic1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋