My husband thinks that we should tell our 2 year old daughter that Santa Claus doesn't exist next year?

Question

He says that we shouldn't lie to her. I personally think that she will be smart enough to figure it out for herself in a few years and don't see the harm. Thoughts?

Answer 1

In my opinion, your daughter should be the one to discover that for herself... telling her that Santa Claus does not exist may cause her to be disappointed and cheated that she was led to believe that Santa Claus was real for two years of her life.... do not encourage her to believe that Santa Claus is real.... by saying that, i meant that you should stop pretending Santa Claus is real... If your husband cannot resist the temptation to tell her that SC is not real, he/you could also drop Very Subtle hints like... Isn't that Mr. Blah blah wearing a Santa Claus costume? Say it in a voice loud enough for her to hear but also soft enough for her to think that you were talking to your husband.... But all in all, i think it is better for everyone if the kid dicovered that SC is not real for herself.... if she does ask you if Santa Claus is real, tell her gently what you think and believe without completely bursting her bubble... could you please write back to me after you get this message... thank you...

Answer 2

During their first pregnancy, my cousin and his wife decided they would not play the role of Santa Claus at Christmas. they both had the very same standpoint to which they didn't want to start off their children's early years by lying to them. My entire(and very close-knit) family was very unsettled by their choice as was I, though in time I grew to both respect and appreciate their standpoint. Without their children learning later on that their parents had been "lying" to them for all those years, they felt as though it could help nurture both a stronger bond as well as strengthening the state of trust as parents. They are now the proud parents of 5 beautiful kids and I've never seen a more closeknit family. All of the children -the oldest now being 16- are very well-rounded and they all have the best relationships with their parents that I have ever seen. Could this be because they never had to go through the whole "Santa" charade? I, myself remember feeling so betrayed by my parents when I found out there was no Santa and because I found out through a friend and her older brother and not my parents, I felt the need to pretend for at least a couple of years that I still believed he existed. My point being is that I learned at an early age about dishonesty and deception and that it was okay. Fortunately I had parents who knew enough to teach me right from wrong but I still wonder how things could've turned out for me had I known the truth about Santa all along. Many cultures around the world have their own version of Santa Claus but if you read up on the N. American history, you'll find that a big part of how Santa became so reknowned was through commercialism. Apparently, it was through Coca Cola's advertising that helped Santa Claus evolve into the jolly man in red that he is today...but that's a whole other discussion! Should I decide to have children of my own someday, I've decided to follow in my cousin's footsteps and raise my children without the deception of Santa Claus. Christmas isn't supposed to be entirely about Santa Claus anyways and leaving him out shouldn't have a negative effect on the true spirit of the holiday. It will only help strengthen what Christmas really is about.....but that's just my opinion, I'm not an expert! =]

Answer 3

Children grow up fast enough as it is so let your little girl believe in Santa as long as she can. My daughter is 9 y/o and as of now she still believes and I'm not going to tell her any different. Besides , at 2 years old I don't think she would comprehend what you were telling her. I'm 36 years old and I believe in the idea of Santa and nothing is greater than your child being so excited that "Santa" brought her just what she wanted. Eventually they will figure it out on their own.

Answer 4

I feel sorry for your husband. Did someone spoil Santa Claus for him when he was a child? My daughter who's 8 still believes and so do all her little friends and I will not take that away from her. Her joy and excitement at Christmas was so wonderful. It makes it so special for the whole family and really puts us all in the spirit. Let your daughter believe. She's a child with a child's imagination. Let her see the world through a child's eyes not the world weary eyes of a grown man.

Answer 5

As the mother of 3 kids ages 12, 4, and 2, I would say don't tell her. I feel like we try to make kids grow up to fast as it is. What is the harm of letting kids believe in something that makes them happy? I had a hard time keeping my oldest from telling his sisters this year. My kids all know the true meaning of Christmas, what it represents and that presents are not the most important thing. But believing Santa is bringing them presents is exciting for them, and I for one am not going to take that away from them at this point in their lives.

Answer 6

I know my answer will be very unpopular, but I agree with your husband.
While the Santa story is just for 'fun'-- nevertheless, it is untrue. When I had kids, I promised myself I would never lie to them--- no matter what. (True, sometimes they are too young for the 'whole truth'... but they can be told that I'll discuss some things with them when they are older)
My kids have appreciated that fact--- and returned the respect by not lying to me.
When I, as a child, figured out there was no Santa, I immediately knew there was no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy, etc. Unfortunately, I also figured there must not be a God or Jesus either. And I figured I couldn't really count on anything my parents told me... since clearly they would tell me whatever they wanted.
I later regained a faith in God--- and to an extent a faith in my parents (who, sadly, were willing to lie all too often!) But I also lied to them when I felt it was in my best interests.
Now I truly have an aversion to dishonesty of any sort--- so, again, I'm on your husband's side with this.
BTW--- my kids still had plenty of fun and 'magic' around Christmas--- and in fact, we were able to better emphasize the celebration of Jesus' birth---(altho they also knew He wasn't actually born on Dec. 25th)

Answer 7

Just let her figure it out for herself.
For me, that was part of the fun of it, growing up, and finding out that my mom was Santa. I don't harbor any hatred toward my parents, I didn't feel lied to or betrayed. But the memories I have are wonderful and I wouldn't change anything.
Santa is the spirit of generosity and giving. If you don't want to do the whole "gimme" thing, you can still tell her the story that way. Have her be Santa to unfortunate children.
Or, Santa only brings her 1 gift and the rest are from you.

Answer 8

You are right. Children soon realize that Santa cannot possibly be 'real'. You will know they have figured it out because of the questions. My child figured it out and she has not been 'harmed' in any way. My reply was there is always magic in Christmas. You can do things to keep them wondering how you made certain things happen, use your creativity when children get older.

Answer 9

I agree with you. Next year will be the first year that she is really going to understand what Santa Claus is all about. I think every child should have the right to experience that child like wonder. She will find out on her on soon enough. I hope he changes his mind.

Answer 10

I say no... When I found out there was no santa, honnestly, it ruined Christmas for a while. It was crushed and it just wasn't the same. The best xmas years were whenever I believed in Santa... (until well I became an adult...) but still, 2 is too young.