Belief in Santa?

[jaimeleglise]

I never was told about Santa. I think it is a bad lie that takes away from the birth of Jesus.

 

[vz71]

My kids know Saint Nicholas.
And know the traditions well.

They have used this tradition as a standing point when they have had Protestants challenge their faith on traditions not necessarily contained within the bible.

 

[AClaire11]

I see, I think though that there is higher probability of your child receiving this information from other children. Especially once she reaches school age. Kids talk, sometimes its impossible to stop them. As an example I have a close work friend whose nine year old child still believes in Santa. One day the nine year old was asking questions regarding human reproduction, so my friend, with good intentions, had the sex talk with her…imagine to her surprise when her child went to school and also shared “the talk” with all of her other little school friends. Like I said, kids talk…even the best parents sometimes cant stop them.

Does that really happen often? I don’t know of anyone that happened to when I was growing up. I’d still be ticked, but at that point I’m not sure what you can do, unless you talk to their parents about it.

 

[Millie123]

Does that really happen often? I don’t know of anyone that happened to when I was growing up. I’d still be ticked, but at that point I’m not sure what you can do, unless you talk to their parents about it.

I do believe that its is common for many kids to receive information regarding sex from their classmates. They’re curious children entering puberty together. But we are digressing this topic from Santa.

 

[AClaire11]

I do believe that its is common for many kids to receive information regarding sex from their classmates. They’re curious children entering puberty together. But we are digressing this topic from Santa.

I meant having Santa ruined. Sorry, should have been more specific.

 

[Millie123]

I meant having Santa ruined. Sorry, should have been more specific.

Yes, I think that it is extremely common for children to discuss Santa. Especially among the ages from kindergarten to second grade. I think you need to be more clear what you mean by having Santa ruined. I know of some kids who believe in Santa, who also understand that other children dont believe in Santa. And that is ok to have this difference. And so, no, these childrens faith in Santa are not ruined when they do meet another child who doesnt believe in the same things they do.

 

[Bonnie]

And so, no, these childrens faith in Santa are not ruined when they do meet another child who doesnt believe in the same things they do.

I’ve known only a couple of children who believed in Santa - including my own nephews & niece. But I think they were mostly pretending to make their parents happy. The only child who was a “true believer” still believed when she was 10 or 11. Her parents did a lot to make her believe, including ringing bells outside on Christmas Eve when she was in bed, claiming it was Santa’s sleigh.

I’m afraid that when they weren’t under adult supervision, the other kids at church teased her about it.

 

[Perian]

We aren’t doing Santa simply because, for my husband and I, he didn’t make the top 10 of things we felt made Christmas magical as a child. It just seems like a lot of effort and-- I’ll use the word fabricating instead of lying because I don’t want to imply that anything malicious happens regarding the Santa tradition-- for what we considered a very small return in our childhood memories. We’d rather focus that energy on Christmas concerts, plays, baking, seeing lights, brainstorming gifts together, wrapping, and when the age comes along, a service element in the Advent preparation.

We emphasize Santa as a game and a make-believe character much like any other character-- but this one is based on a real saint. Our oldest is only three so it’s still amorphous and experimental for us, but we plan to handle the spoiling problem the same way every parent has to, whether their child has “aged out” or simply found out before they were meant to. We will stress that telling other children for the sake of being right is prideful and mean-spirited.

There’s nothing wrong with letting other children play the game, which we will inevitably enjoy some elements of! I’ll almost definitely make cookies that we’ll leave out for “Santa-- wink Daddy” or sprinkle glitter and oatmeal in the yard as reindeer food. But, I won’t ever stress it as anymore real than any other immersive imaginary play that children enjoy. It’s just fun, but I had no intention of entangling myself in deeper and deeper explanations about how, when, where… not when there are more important, real stories to be shared.

 

[Allegra]

We have to be careful not to wrap any of the kids who aren’t allowed to believe due to religious reasons, with paper that has Santa on it. It is a pain!

I am a huge proponent of Santa, but seriously? Not wrapping presents in Santa gift wrap is a “pain” with an exclamation mark? I bought six rolls of wrapping paper this season and not one of them has Santa Claus on it. How hard is that? Buy paper with stars, snowflakes, or candycane stripes. Practically insurmountable obstacle to yuletide happiness: SOLVED!

And since when does Santa have to be responsible for every present given on Christmas Day? In my family, Santa brings toys to my own children on Christmas morning. He doesn’t bring gifts to my nieces and nephews or other people’s children. Those are from us. This really doesn’t sound like such a huge issue. Now if someone was trying to give you guff over the tiny Santa’s embroidered on your holiday hand towels, then certain boundaries would have to be drawn, but surely you can have a Christmas celebration for your extended family without bringing Santa into it?

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I see, I think though that there is higher probability of your child receiving this information from other children. Especially once she reaches school age. Kids talk, sometimes its impossible to stop them. As an example I have a close work friend whose nine year old child still believes in Santa. One day the nine year old was asking questions regarding human reproduction, so my friend, with good intentions, had the sex talk with her…imagine to her surprise when her child went to school and also shared “the talk” with all of her other little school friends. Like I said, kids talk…even the best parents sometimes cant stop them.

I agree. Kids talk about these things. My son wants to tell everyone that Santa doesn’t really bring gifts, and that it is a game that the parents play. I have told him to not say that, primarily so I don’t get into trouble with angry parents. Although I think my son should be able to say these things, just like other kids are free to talk about their belief in Santa. Funny how censorship only goes one way

 

[Millie123]

I agree. Kids talk about these things. My son wants to tell everyone that Santa doesn’t really bring gifts, and that it is a game that the parents play. I have told him to not say that, primarily so I don’t get into trouble with angry parents. Although I think my son should be able to say these things, just like other kids are free to talk about their belief in Santa. Funny how censorship only goes one way

I agree. I think adults expect small children to have a much stronger filter than they have. Small kids just dont have that filter. On any given day my 6 year old son son may be talking to the check out lady at the grocery store about Jesus. At the end of Sunday mass, he may go up to the priest and say that his dress reminds him of the dress he saw on his friend Mary. Believe me if I could have stopped that little nugget from coming up with that I would.
Yes, I strongly taught my son not to tell other children about Santa. But, within the past week that plan has failed miserably. That does not mean that I am a parent who thinks only of my parenting, or that my kid is a malicious kid. Your point that it is only our children who is expected to be censored has really struck a cord with me.

 

[EasterJoy]

We taught our children that St. Nicolas, the source of the popular Santa Claus, is the patron saint of giving joy generously in secret. Those who want to imitate his selfless imitation of Christ in that particular way–that is, by giving with no expectation of being thanked personally, but rather simply to give someone else some joy–by custom will write “From Santa” on the tag. That is why it is not acceptable under any circumstance to try to figure out who “really” gave a gift that is attributed that way. “From Santa” means the gift was given in the desire to remain anonymous, and that should be respected. You never tell anyone “there is no Santa,” because the whole story line is part of the enjoyment of it. Pointing out that the story isn’t literally true is just being a spoil sport. We never took them to see the mall Santa Claus or leaned a lot on asking them what they dreamed of receiving for Christmas. That is not what Christmas is primarily about.

On that theory, we always took them shopping with us to buy children’s gifts for the tree at church. We told them that not everyone’s parents can afford to give them gifts, and we were buying gifts not just for the sake of the children but also to give the parents the joy of seeing their children get surprise gifts for Christmas.

 

[Bonnie]

A question for those who think it’s a good thing for children to believe that Santa Claus exists: Why?

 

[pensmama87]

A question for those who think it’s a good thing for children to believe that Santa Claus exists: Why?

Because he does.

(Though even if he didn’t, make believe and imagination is a big part of childhood. It doesn’t have to be Santa and reindeer and the North Pole, but it’s fun to share fables and myths and fairy tales with kids. There’s an element of cultural heritage there, too.)

 

[BlueEyedLady]

I agree. Kids talk about these things. My son wants to tell everyone that Santa doesn’t really bring gifts, and that it is a game that the parents play. I have told him to not say that, primarily so I don’t get into trouble with angry parents. Although I think my son should be able to say these things, just like other kids are free to talk about their belief in Santa. Funny how censorship only goes one way

It’s not censorship, it’s manners. And it’s never too early to teach your son not to insert himself into the beliefs and practices of another family.

 

[Bonnie]

Because he does.

(Though even if he didn’t, make believe and imagination is a big part of childhood. It doesn’t have to be Santa and reindeer and the North Pole, but it’s fun to share fables and myths and fairy tales with kids. There’s an element of cultural heritage there, too.)

I’m not asking about pretending that Santa, elves, flying reindeer, etc exist, - my kids & I did that - but about the children who believe in him as a flesh & blood person. And the parents who encourage it by telling their children that he is real.

 

[Millie123]

It’s not censorship, it’s manners. And it’s never too early to teach your son not to insert himself into the beliefs and practices of another family.

Actually it is censorship. You have a group of 6 year old kids on the playground. Talking about Santa coming down the chimney delivering presents, asking our child what is Santa going to bring him for Christmas? Considering the maturity level of 6 year olds, and their honesty from their innocence. What do you think is running through his mind as this topic is discussed amongst himself and his friends? Do you think he is going to sit and ponder what adults want him to say? Or is that 6 year old child going to say what he thinks, the first thing that comes to his mind…“Santa isnt real”?

 

[pensmama87]

I’m not asking about pretending that Santa, elves, flying reindeer, etc exist, - my kids & I did that - but about the children who believe in him as a flesh & blood person. And the parents who encourage it by telling their children that he is real.

For very young children, they can’t distinguish.

I guess I’m operating on the assumption that most kids figure it out during elementary years, as we’ve been discussing. I do think it’s odd after that to really sell on the pretense.

So I guess I’m not who you’re talking to.

 

[Bonnie]

For very young children, they can’t distinguish.

I guess I’m operating on the assumption that most kids figure it out during elementary years, as we’ve been discussing. I do think it’s odd after that to really sell on the pretense.

So I guess I’m not who you’re talking to.

I’ll have to ask my kids if they have any memories of Santa belief. I sure don’t. Don’t think my parents ever said Santa was pretend, but I knew it from my earliest memories. When you grow up poor in a 2 room shack, it’s kind of hard to believe in Santa.

 

[meltzerboy]

I’m not asking about pretending that Santa, elves, flying reindeer, etc exist, - my kids & I did that - but about the children who believe in him as a flesh & blood person. And the parents who encourage it by telling their children that he is real.

Why NOT let children have a short period of fun and fantasy, which they believe to be real? The so-called real world and all its challenges, problems and responsibilities will rear its head soon enough. No need to rush growing up (and old).