Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Santa Claus?
Wow, so once I've started posting I just can't stop. But I have to ask a question, one that has bothered me, and Geoff, for a while. I feel funny about telling our kids there's a Santa! Is that weird? I don't want to talk much about him, I don't take my kids to see him at the mall. It's all a lie and I'm afraid my sweating and stuttering during our Santa conversations is starting to bother my children! No, really. But I am tempted to just tell them that Santa is for fun and it's not real but they should still pretend it's real so as not to ruin it for the other children. I don't really remember ever believing in him myself. Granted, my memory is more than poor. What do you guys do? How do I get over this twitch in my Santa "fun?" Signed, Guilty Conscience. Oh, and if you still believe in Santa, just disregard this message. This is all a dream. . .
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5 comments:
Well, seeing as I'm not a parent...yet, I do have a bit of an opinion abou this anyways. Jenn, I've always thought about this, and I've thought; is telling kids that Santa is a tradition from the beginning, and the celebration of the birth of Christ the best way? Hmmm...I'm anxious to see what the REAL parents have to say abou this...
Wow, this is such an interesting topic. I think sometimes we look to heavily into an issue, which inturn creates confusion in our children. I see nothing wrong with having Santa Claus around for tradition sakes, but as to how much you worship the man; well, that's another issue. I'm with Lance, let's teach the real reason for the season, sprinkled with a little bit of Santa Claus, and a whole lot of family tradition, you have Christmas' we remember as a kid. But I say why ruin the magic, am I in bad shape because at some point I believed in Santa? I don't think so. I enjoy the thought that there is a jolly man out there who brings toys to every child no matter race, religion, or economic status. He really is a symbol of love and kindness. If my children believe in him, I guess that's okay. One day I will get to tell them that such a man does not actually fly around in a sleigh, but the thought and magic can exist for whomever believes. We can create that magic and carry on a loving and caring sort of christmas forever.
Yea, I'm with Jessi and Lance, not to say that Jen is wrong you do have a steller point.Our chrildren have many friends and it would be weird for us to tell our kids he doesn't exist and think they won't get some flack from their friends at school. Let them enjoy the idea and I think that slowly but surley they will come to their own conclusion on the "Santa" topic. I don't think I was told he doesn't exist, Natural Woman, did you tell us or did we just realize it?
What? Who doesn't exist? Why would Mom tell us Santa didn't exist?! I just saw him land at the mall in a helicopter.
I've seen 'way more of Santa than Boppa. Maybe Boppa is "just a tradition?" Maybe someone is just paying a guy to dress like Boppa and make appearances at family parties!
I'm not listening to any more of this nonsense! Why are you bringing this up NOW? This is just like "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!" You're all trying to make an OUTLAW of Santa Claus! Don't listen to 'em Santa! Don't listen! I still believe!
OK. Jen asked a serious question, so I probably should give a serious response, right? Right.
I don't think we really emphasize Santa too much at our house (besides that, I think Jordan and McKenzie are on to the whole thing), but I don't think we have directly discouraged it either. True, we have gifts on Christmas morning which are ostensibly from Santa (because they are not wrapped--and there's the stocking), but we go light on that connection. At some point, our children have either asked--point blank--about the reality of Santa (and I have told them the truth: he is a tradition that makes the holidays exciting and magical) or they have announced to us that they no longer believe in Santa but hope that won't curtail the gift-giving.
I'll ask our kids how they have felt about the way we handled Santa and get back to you.
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