How do you explain lying to your kids about Santa Claus ???

Question

or even the Easter Bunny etc.? Have you read about what the so called " Santa Claus" or Satan Claus (how it was really named) did to little children?? Yes he gave them gifts but were the gifts worth the consiquence???
We tell our children not to lie but how can you if you tell your kids lies for years.
Please do not leave comments if you do not know what you are talking about.

Answer 1

Santa Claus is the 'spirit' of Christmas... you tell you kids that the 'spirit' of Christmas is real - but not a real person. Same thing with the Easter Bunny, I guess.

Kids will figure it out on their own - and they wont hate you for 'lying' to them.

Answer 2

I have two children, ages 3 and 9. I have not crossed this bridge yet, but know that, undoubtedly, I will soon. The only time we've come close is when my daughter asked about the tooth fairy. She asked me if she was real, and I responded with, "Do YOU think she's real...?" To which she replied, "YES!" "Okay," I said, and we changed the subject.

I am only somewhat familiar with the actual history of Santa Claus (and the Easter Bunny, for that matter.) I only know that I have very fond memories of childhood...looking forward to the presents from Santa, and the brightly colored eggs & candy from the Easter Bunny.

I was, at first, disappointed when I learned the truth, because it seemed that the magic was gone. However, as I got older, I thought it was really great how much trouble my parents had gone to, just to make me happy! Now, as a parent myself, "being Santa Claus" is one of the biggest joys I have! You have the chance to re-create and inspire in your children, the magic that you experienced.

While the origin of these traditions might not be pleasant, the traditions you make with your family CAN be! I think most of us have played and sung, "ring around the rosies" as children, and I've heard that it was written about the Black Plague. (YUCK.)

I hope this helps. Good luck with your children, and the decisions you make. :o)

Answer 3

The idea of "santa clause" has changed so much over the year...and has appeared in so many different cultures. I mean you have St. Nicolas, Papa Noel, Papochisho (not sure on the spelling of that one), Father Christmas, and so forth. Santa Clause shouldn't just be a fictional character, based on a real person, but it should be a way of thinking. Santa is the embodiment of good will, peace and kindness. I am 21 years old and still believe, because you know what...in a world where everyone would rather do for themselves instead of helping another, I would rather keep the spirit of sharing and good will. I'm not delusional either as I know some people will say.

What consequences are you talking about with his gifts? St. Nicolas was known for dropping coal down chimneys on Christmas, and you know what in that day and age it was welcome. It meant that the family would not freeze over Christmas. Nothing was asked for in return. So maybe instead of you saying "please don't leave comments if you do not know what you are talking about" maybe you should read up more from unbiased sources about the men behind these names.

Is it really lying to your children if you instill in them the morals that have been passed down through story, myth and memories?? Maybe you need to figure out what lies you tell before condemning those that believe in what 'Santa Clause' stands for.

Answer 4

I actually read my boys the stories about the real santa claus (not Satan Claus as that is just one form of the story meant to scare kids and adults, i have talked to other parents about that one, I remember hearing they even planned to do a movie based on it as if Santa was really working for Satan and looking to take a childs soul if they accepted the present) and we talk about how the Easter Bunny came to be. We also talk about the tooth fairy. I try not to lie to them but white lies come up to keep our kids happy. I do not feel guilty as long as i explain some of the real stuff. Like we explain what Christmas is really about and Easter so they know more or less the bunny and claus we see are just people dressed up. I do have to explain though that other children believe that the santa at the mall is real and it isn't nice to ruin their dreams of that being true. You have to watch how we tell our kids the truth because they can really cause problems for other kids who need to believe. Like children in an orphanage who really get through the holidays believing Santa is going to bring them a present. I thinks some lies just aren't lies but instead stories and we read stories to our children every night right, so is that telling lies?

Answer 5

Santa Claus is the spirit of Christmas.

As kids we are told a lot of things that are not exactly the truth. Our parents do this to keep hold of our innocence as children. There is nothing wrong with encouraging the magic of believing in your children.

They might be shocked at the fact that there really is not a Santa Claus, but Santa is Christmas. Without Santa the magic and mystery of Christmas is not there for a child. The tradition is something to keep up with. Bringing your children to sit on Santa's lap, writing letters to him at the North Pole,etc....

It can be explained to them later on that you are upholding that tradition of Santa. Just tell them where Santa Claus came from and how the tradition started (the history). Telling them that Santa isn't real when they are young only alienates them from their peers. I think they'll be angrier at you for not preserving the magic of Christmas.

Answer 6

I believe you're supposed to teach your child that Christmas is a celebration for family and to show others you care. Its a time of festivities and happiness and diong things for others. I don't plan on lying and telling my children there is a Santa. I'm pregnant with my first right now, and my husband and I already discussed that.

I was never told there was a Santa Claus or an Easter Bunny. I was always taught that these were fun icons of the season meant to spread joy and that it was my family and friends who were going out of their way to give us presents and share their time with us. That is something I'll pass on to my children as well. Even from a young age, it turned Christmas from being a holiday of materialism into a holiday of sharing, caring, and family get-togethers.

Answer 7

I've wondered the same thing. My son is now 8 and alot of his friends have already started telling him he's not real. He still strongly believes in him but I really want to get it overwith and tell him somehow soon. I think gradually explaining things about it being the spirit of Christmas not a person and that there was a Saint Nicholas that was real a long time ago and thats where the story of St.Nick, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, etc all came from.

Answer 8

Never actually heard of Satan being in on santa claus. Seems like you just made that up to prove your point.

I think children should believe in Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, as long as they wish. When they become questioning about it, then you tell them the truth. I have very happy memories from believing in those people. It makes Christmas, losing a tooth, etc. so fun and magical. I was also taught the real meaning of Christmas and Easter. so if you think that is what is wrong about teaching children about these people, you're incorrect.

"Please do not leave comments if you do not know what you are talking about."
I guess that means whoever doesn't agree with you doesn't know what they are talking about.

You're like my aunt who wanted to just up and tell me one day that santa wasn't real when i was 10. my dad and other family members thought i should believe as long as i wanted to. let your children believe in magic. it had a lot to do with me having a happy childhood.

Answer 9

I don't consider "lying" about Santa or the Easter Bunny as the same as lying about doing something wrong.

Santa and the Easter Bunny are harmless childhood memories. Most kids don't run around as adults saying their parents did them a disservice b/c they lied about Santa.

As an adult, I wish I was still naive enough to think he was real. It gives kids something to dream about. Just like our children's dreams of becoming actors, singers or astronauts....we don't discourage them from their imagination. This is similar. What harm are we causing children who believe that if you are a good little boy or girl, you will be rewarded. Nothing wrong with that.

I actually think people who tell their children Santa is not real, from birth are crazy. Let kids be kids. People have been believing in Santa for decades. It has not harmed anyone or caused a moral decay in society.

What causes children to be bad now-a-days, is the fact that kids can't be kids. It's the fact that we are so caught up in rushing our kids to adulthood, we don't allow them to be children.

Let kids be kids. I assure you, they will not believe lying is OK, b/c you told a fib about Santa.

Answer 10

Oh here we are again, this is a question almost as common as the spanking questions...

Santa Claus is a real person, people obviously aren't aware that he is really known as St. Nicholas. :) My children do believe, and I think it's a really beautiful thing. It's not lying to a child.

Childhood innocence is a sweet thing. It's a shame that some people just don't get it.

You shouldn't be posting a question if you don't know what YOU are talking about.

I don't know of any children who have been traumatized by this issue.

Answer 11

I have three kids. All of them know that there is no real Santa now....and yet we still hold to the spirit of Santa.

Santa Claus is the true spirit of giving at Christmas. It's fun to tell the stories of Rudolph and Frosty and the wonderful poem of The night Before Christmas.....

Is it truly lies to tell your children fairy tales and teach them how to believe in magic? Aren't you taking away something precious if you don't let them believe that there is hope, faith, goodness, light and love in the world? Isn't there enough pain and bad things in the world already? I love Christmas...and all the special things that go with it. I love to watch my children open their presents looking for the one special gift from "Santa". I'll never get tired of it. Don't over analyze it or look for the bad in Santa....look to the good and spread some joy.