How would you handle this situation?

Question

My 3 year old is in a catholic preschool. I have asked them repeatedly to not teach him that santa is real. I have heard other parents, whose children go to public schools, also have this problem. and no matter how many times i tell my son that santa is not real, he come back from school talking about him. i don't want to yank him out because the school has a good acedemic program, and i know that other schools will also promote santa. help!

Santa is not the spirit of christmas, Jesus is. If my son believes that santa is real, then finds out later he isn't, how do you think that will affect his belief in God. Don't tell me it won't, because when i was 6 and found out santa was a fake--i began to question God, and my parent's honesty.

Answer 1

I appreciate your concern, it is a very real one. Particularly because these things can greatly affect your child's view of your honesty and the existence of God, just as you so insightfully mentioned. Others may laugh at that, but it is a very real concern.

Since you appreciate the quality of the academic program, you don't want to pull him out. That is understandable. Here is something that may help you: tell me what you think:

As you will recall, the three young Hebrew men, when taken into captivity in Babylon, were force-fed the “writing and the tongue of the Chaldeans” according to Daniel 1:4. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains that this included, among other things, the extensive literature of associated religious texts, omina (omens) and astrology – things that were in direct violation of God’s revealed truths and law. The young Hebrew men, however, remained steadfast. Why? Because of the extensive education they had already received from their God-fearing parents who raised them properly in the Hebrew law.

You have obviously already done so, I am sure, but do continue to teach your son. Use God’s word the Bible to augment your teaching as respects this mythological figure (Santa). Don’t’ worry overmuch about what he is being taught at school. Fortify him at home to the extent that not only will he walk away with the truth of the matter but he will be able to defend the truth properly. In this God is well-pleased and you will be too. When we know the truth of God’s word as found in the Bible, we are better able to inculcate it into our children. Thus we read at Deuteronomy 6:7-7 concerning the law of God: “These things must prove to be in your heart and you must inculcate them in your son.” See how they must first be inside of us – only then can we inculcate them into our children.

Hannah

Answer 2

Just tell your child that Santa is a nice story for many people and that the teachers don't want to ruin it for those whose families choose to use it (whatever language is appropriate for a 3 year old). And tell your 3-year-old that it's not a bad thing that the teachers are doing but just the teachers trying to make sure they don't interfere with some people's christmas celebration. Whatever you do, don't make it into a weird secularism versus religious battle. That will only foster the idea of separation, which is the opposite of the message of Jesus.

Answer 3

Well you know and I agree about not teaching a kid about santa. I knew early in my age santa wasnt real. Not because mom and dad told me he wasnt but I found out who always dressed up as santa. But here I am now 34 and I watch these movies at Christmas time and how nice it would have been to have believed in santa. Not because he is real but just the chance to believe. You can tell them the truth but if they choose to believe then that him have that. You dont have to give him hope he is real cause we both know he isnt. Its hard for me to explain this cause like I said its the believeing part that would have been nice.

Answer 4

The fact that someone TALKS about Santa does not mean they accept the idea.
More importantly, the teaching your child receives at home should outweigh that learned outside the home ....that is, over time.
You may wish to instruct your child to ask a certain question to the teacher.
A question that cannot be answered ....like, How do those who have no cheminy get a visit?
Let the teacher's made-up answer convince the child its all full of holes.

Answer 5

I would just let them teach about Santa. Letting them enjoy the joys of Christmas just once a year is a fun thing to give them hope for. And they grow out of it pretty quickly, usually by 7 or 8.

Answer 6

With all of the things wrong in this world, perhaps you need to worry about more important things. A three year old believing in Santa is pretty harmless. You have a lot more years ahead to disillusion him. Relax. The school's "good academic program" (your words, BTW) should be your primary concern, especially in light of the lousy job the public schools do.

Answer 7

It sounds like your three year old really wants to believe in Santa Claus. Let me give you my own experience with my daughter who believed in Santa Claus because we put milk and cookies out on the stairs and after she was asleep I took a bite of the cookie as "proof", and she was absolutely devastated several years later that her parents would lie to her. Bad, bad idea, I was wrong.

My opinion, you're doing absolutely the right thing, your child will reap the rewards of trust later on so keep at it, do not let the schools win this one.

Answer 8

I understand your concerns and can relate. I am also a Christian and have 3 children, my priority is not santa etc. its ensuring that they hold to my beliefs and understand the true meanining of Christmas. On that same note, my children believe in santa. I as a child and as an adult believe in santa. Not the santa that flies around on reindeer and is a thousand years old but the santa that was a Christian as well and gave gifts to children in Jesus name that they might know the gift of His birth. I tell my children the story of santa giving gifts to children and how they must have been so happy to wake up in the morning on Christmas and have a present. When Santa died they as parents wanted the same happiness for their children and they became "Santa" too. Then I tell them that one day they too will become Santa and give gifts to their children in celebration of Christs birth. My children then choose to hear what their little ears want to hear and do tell me and their friends that Santa has reindeer etc. I let them believe in the magic of it all. But I never tell them the fairytale part of it, they pick it up on their own, and whenever they say something about reindeer, elves etc I say "Oh really, I don't know about that, I think thats just pretend but santa does love Jesus and thats why you get gifts from him etc" And as they grow and when they say "Johnny so and so said there is no such thing as Santa," I tell them again the TRUE story of santa and they've picked up a little bit more of the truth mixed with what they want to believe of him. Never lie to your children! If you are telling you child there is no such thing as santa, really that is not true! He was a wonderful man named Nicholas who love Jesus and made an amazing impact on our entire world. He had no idea that the gifts he gave in our Lords name to a handful of children would change how we celebrate His birth. Santa is a wonderful way to add to Christmas (if handled correctly) not take away from it. My brothers and sisters and I were all told the same way and believed that santa flew with his reindeer but also believed in the reason why he did those things, and as we got older we realized our parents never lied to us but we as children with our imagination added the extra parts, so don't worry when someone tells your child the fairytale part just make sure you tell him that is pretend and tell him over and over the true story.

Answer 9

Why don't you want your child to have the joy and magic of Christmas. We are here for such a short time, and this is such a little thing.

I told my children that Santa is the spirit of Christmas, the joy, and the magic of Christmas. If you are a Christian than tell them about Christ and make him the focus of Christmas.

Answer 10

Three is pretty young, but you could try teaching him that other people believe other things. It is impossible to get away from 'santa' at this time of year, in or out of school. Its never to early to try and teach your children tolerance.