Santa claus

[MoonWater]

Since it's that time of year I thought I'd like to start a thread about good ol saint nick.(if this is already being done I apologize). I'd like for us to debate whether or not the story of santa clause should be told to kids as if he were a real person. Do you think that teaching kids that santa is real is helpful, hurtful, or do you think it makes no difference at all and it's just some fun little thing? Basically do you think there is any problem with teaching children that santa is real?

 

[Katzpur]

Since it's that time of year I thought I'd like to start a thread about good ol saint nick.(if this is already being done I apologize). I'd like for us to debate whether or not the story of santa clause should be told to kids as if he were a real person. Do you think that teaching kids that santa is real is helpful, hurtful, or do you think it makes no difference at all and it's just some fun little thing? Basically do you think there is any problem with teaching children that santa is real?

My kids are grown now, and they definitely believed Santa Clause was a real person when they were growing up. I wholeheartedly promoted the belief that a big fat man with a white beard and a red suit was going to be flying around the world on Christmas Eve and that, if they were good, he'd bring them lots of toys. When a man I worked with told me he and his wife had told their kids all along that Santa was make-believe, I thought he was absolutely terrible.

Hindsight, as they say, is usually better than foresight. If I had it to do over again, I would definitely do it differently. I don't think it ultimately affects kids to have believed in the myth, but in my experience, there were definitely some drawbacks. My kids were so convinced that Santa Clause could do anything, that there was simply no convincing them that they might not get what they wanted on Christmas morning. There were times when I knew they were going to be disappointed, but I just couldn't tell them why -- that (1) every store in town was sold out of the toy they wanted, (2) the toy was out of our price range, or (3) it was a toy that we didn't feel was appropriate and didn't want them to have. Besides, I really wish they'd known from an early age that mom and dad were the gift givers and that we provided the toys, etc. because we loved them -- regardless of whether they'd been naughty or nice!

Also, I'm a firm believer that Christmas really should be about Jesus Christ. I'm fine with the non-Christian origins of Christmas. I love Christmas trees and decorations, etc., but I really do feel that Santa Clause detracts from the reason we celebrate the holiday in the first place.

 

[ChristineES]

My children believed in Santa as small children. Now I tell them that Santa isn't a literal person but a spirit of giving or a symbol of giving. I also told them that the Santa who gives presents are their parents (my husband and I).
I don't think it is harmful in most situations but in some, it may be harmful. So I guess it all depends.
I always make sure I tell my children the Story of Jesus birth every Christmas.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I believe ... and I celebrate Hanukkah!

 

[gnomon]

I've never known of any long term psychological damage a person has suffered from ... Santa disillusionment. My 8 year old nephew, as much as my brother tried to play the Santa Claus myth up, knows very well the real deal. I know because he always drops hints to me as to what Santa should bring him for Christmas and I should let his father know.

Personally, if the holiday could just focus more on communal gathering over consumerism and religious celebration I would be happy. And at least the latter still fits in with communal gathering.

 

[FFH]

MoonWater, if you want your kids to respect you, don't lie to them, nothing more needs to be said concerning this subject.

 

[.lava]

MoonWater, if you want your kids to respect you, don't lie to them, nothing more needs to be said concerning this subject.

so true, parents come first for kids. someday they find out parents told a lie for years could damage trust. if you couldnot trust your parents truely then who would you trust and what would family mean? all those expectations and hopes that based on nothing crashes down. deeply harmful if kids hear the truth from someoneelse other than parents. i really don't get it. not a few families, almost all the parents say the same lie in entire nation! why? is it some kind of conspiracy?

 

[FFH]

so true, parents come first for kids. someday they find out parents told a lie for years could damage trust. if you couldnot trust your parents truely then who would you trust and what would family mean? all those expectations and hopes that based on nothing crashes down. deeply harmful if kids hear the truth from someoneelse other than parents. i really don't get it. not a few families, almost all the parents say the same lie in entire nation! why? is it some kind of conspiracy?

My thoughts exactly.

This nation is messed up, only in America could this stupid tradition take root.

 

[Bishka]

nothing more needs to be said concerning this subject.

??????

My thoughts exactly.

This nation is messed up, only in America could this stupid tradition take root.

:areyoucra

You may need to brush up on your history.

Santa Claus


It's not just America. :no:

 

[Nanda]

Baloney, I say. I believed in Santa, I eventually outgrew it, I never once felt betrayed, I love and respect my parents, and I'm passing that same wonderful, magical feeling down to my son.

 

[FFH]

You may need to brush up on your history.

Santa Claus


It's not just America. :no:

Okay, fair enough, but not to the ridiculous degree that we take it to.

American's take it to a sick level for sure.

In Japan, for example, it's there, but not taken seriously. Christmas in Japan is all about decorations, not Santa, for example.

Haven't experienced a Christmas in any other part of the world.

 

[davidishere]

Since it's that time of year I thought I'd like to start a thread about good ol saint nick.(if this is already being done I apologize). I'd like for us to debate whether or not the story of santa clause should be told to kids as if he were a real person. Do you think that teaching kids that santa is real is helpful, hurtful, or do you think it makes no difference at all and it's just some fun little thing? Basically do you think there is any problem with teaching children that santa is real?

Children should be taught the good things about this Santa Claus thing, (be kind, give, etc.) But not of its existence, children should learn to think for themselves and decide whether he exists or not and not to have the beliefs of others to be forced upon themsleves. That is hurtful because children may grow up to be believers of nonsense and try to impose their beliefs upon others, causing great havic (wars, senseless murders etc.)

 

[McBell]

children should learn to think for themselves and decide whether he exists or not and not to have the beliefs of others to be forced upon themsleves.

I agree.
However, I do not stop with Santa Claus...

 

[Nanda]

Children should be taught the good things about this Santa Claus thing, (be kind, give, etc.) But not of its existence, children should learn to think for themselves and decide whether he exists or not and not to have the beliefs of others to be forced upon themsleves. That is hurtful because children may grow up to be believers of nonsense and try to impose their beliefs upon others, causing great havic (wars, senseless murders etc.)

When I was a kid, I believed in Santa, the toothfairy, the easter bunny, you name it, and now I'm a staunch atheist. I do not feel as though any of those things inhibited my ability to question beliefs, and I certainly don't try to force my beliefs on others. I think you guys are overreacting.

 

[Panda]

It was nice to believe in Santa when I was younger. I don't feel that my parents lied to me or anything, they still put "from Santa" on some of my presents . I just out grew it. Their are far worse things parents can do to their children.

 

[Willamena]

Since it's that time of year I thought I'd like to start a thread about good ol saint nick.(if this is already being done I apologize). I'd like for us to debate whether or not the story of santa clause should be told to kids as if he were a real person.

Absolutely, it should. To tell the story any other way would entirely detract from its story value.

Do you think that teaching kids that santa is real is helpful, hurtful, or do you think it makes no difference at all and it's just some fun little thing? Basically do you think there is any problem with teaching children that santa is real?

I think there is no problem at all with children mistaking Santa Claus for real, even if "taught" that way. Children know the difference between teachings and a story. The key is in the ritual of story-telling.

 

[madhatter85]

when i asked my mom if Santa was real, she always siad he was the "spirit of Christmas" so technically she never lied to me, I just outgrew it, yeah i was shocked when i found out he was not real, i even got into a fight at school in 2nd grade because a kid said that santa wasn't real.

there is nothign wrong with children believeing in Santa. if they find otu early and it crushes them slightly, so what? children forgive easily and it will help them with disappointment later in life.

 

[blackout]

I think the fact that children 9 years of age and up,
do not REALIZE how outrageously ridiculous
the whole thing is... all on their own...
that they cannot put the peices together,
is a sad commentary on our critical thinking/reasoning skills.

I think it sucks when parents perpetrate the hoodwink
on children eight years old and upwards.
When children ask valid critical questions
they should be answered honestly...
AND praised for their deeper considerations and reasoning.

I have seen 12 year olds still believing this stuff.
(with "proud" parents there by their side)
"lots of fun"!
I just stand there stunned.
It's best that I just bite my tongue and walk away.

I personally could never bring myself to
give life to the whole story.
It's too problematic all the way around.

 

[Luke_17:2]

What?! He's not real?!

You must be mistaken... :no:

 

[sandandfoam]

I'm 35 years old, Santa still leaves something for me in my parents house. I think it's cool. My kids are all about Santa. Nothing wrong with a bit of magic. I saw Richard Dawkins interviewed on telly, even he said that he brought his daughter up with Santa. Christmas is the best.