Ok i want to know peoples opinions on this. My husband doesnt want our son to believe in Santa, or the Toothfairy, or the easter bunny. And i kind of understand his point. When he was growing up he didnt believe in them for the simple fact that his parents thought that if he did and then later realized they werent real he would question his belief in God. I understand what he is saying. Does anyone have a opinion on this.
2007-01-05 09:31:39 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I have the same opinion as your husband. Why lie to kids? Life is tough enough without also having to worry about what information they can trust as true or not. You can have nice holidays without Santa Claus.
2007-01-05 10:32:53 · answer #1 · answered by The Scorpion 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He doesn't have to believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny.
It really depends on his age. If he's like 10 or older, you'll probably make him feel like a little kid by saying "Be good for Santa" or "The Tooth Fairy is coming", etc.
Unfortunately, my parents still make me believe in Santa, Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, but I don't. I stopped believing when I was about 7, and so do most kids.
Your husband has a good point with questioning the belief in God, nobody should question that.
2007-01-05 18:24:33 · answer #2 · answered by Hurley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up believing in both. When I found out there is no fat dude who chutes down the chimney (or, for our house, came in the front window), I didn't suddenly go, "Hey, that must mean there's no God." In fact, I don't remember connecting the two at all. I've asked my sisters and several friends about this, and all of them had both, and didn't feel traumatized spiritually when they found out Santa isn't "real".
What we try to do with my children is to establish God as fact. He is the reason we live our lives the way we do. He is our salvation. He (and Jesus) are there every single day of the year. We emphasize that the baby we celebrated at Christmas grew up and gave His life and rose from the dead, and that's why we celebrate Easter.
Santa Claus is a nice story that is kinda tied into the whole Christmas thing. He shows up for Jesus's birthday party, in a way.
This does mean that we play down the Santa thing somewhat. You won't find more Santa ornaments than baby Jesus ornaments. The nativity set has a prominent place.
We also don't attach Santa's gifts to good behavior any more than we attach Christ's gift of salvation to good behavior, but that is more to keep them from thinking that Santa didn't visit the Jewish children or the less fortunate because they were bad.
2007-01-05 17:42:54 · answer #3 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
while i think all those things are cute and fun for kids It doesn't matter too much whether they believe or not it won't affect them for longer than a day or two if you tell them. I never belived in any of those things and it didn't make any of those holidays any less special. In fact even when i was a kid i though that the idea of santa clause was absurd Im not very religious but i liked hearing the baby jessus story rather than about some old fat guy who watches you while you sleep. And my mom always just gave me my tooth money personally since i wasn't a believer in the tooth fairy it didn't matter too much to me where the money came from. Don't make your husband feel like a grinch you guys just talk it over see what you think is best for you daughter. Its really cool either way.
2007-01-05 23:33:08 · answer #4 · answered by nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up believing in Santa, the Toothfairy, the Easter Bunny, AND God and when I found out the truth about the first 3 that had no effect on my belief in God. I understand where your husband is coming from, but really it's not a good arguement. If you raise him right, he'll believe in God no matter what.
2007-01-05 17:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I would say it is o.k to believe in santa etc. My kids did/do and the ones that know their is no santa do not question if their really is a god. I think it all depends on how you explain to them when their age is right about santa etc. With santa we told the older two about St. Nick and that is how santa came about and the toothfairy etc, it's fun to believe in a little magic.
2007-01-05 17:35:30 · answer #6 · answered by ccdispatch911 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think that i wouldn't let them believe in santa. not because of doubt of God(that is a part of it) but more of "i don't like deceiving people." even though some people might think it is no big deal. i think it is wrong to trick your kids. later in life they might not trust you that much even though they get over it. i don't think the bible wants kids to believe in santa. wouldn't your kids be more interested in santa and presents than Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas? you can tell your kids the truth and maybe just play santa for fun even though everyone knows its not true. same with easter bunny and tooth fairy. give them money for the teeth they lose and so on!
2007-01-05 17:47:29 · answer #7 · answered by Lizzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You aren't lying to your son or undermining any religious faith he might be developing .... those creatures are magic, and childhood is about magic. Even when we learn that Santa is not real, we retain the feeling that what Santa represents is real. How is that a bad thing? Your son will be all grown up so soon, let him have some wonder and magic in his young life now.
2007-01-05 19:33:11 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not going to say he is wrong but I grew up believing in all of those and God and I still believe in God. They are all separate to me. I am raising my kids to believe in all of them and the oldest who is almost 12 knows they are fantasy and still believes in God. At a young age it is about imagination. As they get older you help them distinguish fantasy from reality. I will say though, if you plan on not having him believe in Santa, for the sake of all the other children around him that enjoy believing, please at least explain what others believe and hopefully he won't spoil that part of childhood for others. I would be very upset if a child at my girl's preschool told them Santa wasn't real.
2007-01-05 17:43:08 · answer #9 · answered by pebble 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just for fun, There are plenty of kids who grow up Christian, believe in Santa and then become Christian Adults.
Questioing God later in life is not influenced by whether or not they were allowded to believe in Santa. If your husband had a strong faith and was confident of his faith's influence on his children, this wouldn't bother him.
Let your children be chidren.
2007-01-05 17:41:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋