[SoxyMama]

What I object to, is those who claim we are ruining childhood if we don't 'do' Santa. Just because we don't 'do' Santa doesn't mean children don't do make believe. The difference is they KNOW it IS make believe. I'd much rather give my children a realistic truthful view of the world. They still adore Christmas, will love all that comes with it, and have a fun-filled enjoyable childhood. Just because we don't 'do' Santa doesn't mean they don't have a childhood! I just don't get that point of view!!

[BadCat]

I lied outrageously to my kids about Santa. I had an answer for everything they asked. I had elves looking in the windows to make sure they behaved. I had Santa's phone number so I could tell him when they were being naughty. The works.

You know what, they found out for sure about Santa this year and they are absolutely cool with it. They are not upset. They don't even consider it lying. I know. I asked them flat out. They think that it's fun. They still enjoy talking about Santa stuff even now that it's make-believe.

So out of that I take the following:

Perpetuating the Santa myth is not a bad thing and it does not destroy their trust in you.
Telling them that Santa is make-believe does not mean they can't have Santa fun and enjoy Christmas anyway.

In the end I enjoyed perpetuating the myth. I like it better that way and wish everyone would play what was one of my favourite games. But I don't really think it matters much either way. As long as it's fun, it's good.

As for the "I would never lie to my child" brigade - good luck with that. Just remember that not all lies are evil, trust destroying things. Sometimes a lie is a good and caring thing to do.

[Delayfish]

What I object to, is those who claim we are ruining childhood if we don't 'do' Santa. Just because we don't 'do' Santa doesn't mean children don't do make believe. The difference is they KNOW it IS make believe. I'd much rather give my children a realistic truthful view of the world. They still adore Christmas, will love all that comes with it, and have a fun-filled enjoyable childhood. Just because we don't 'do' Santa doesn't mean they don't have a childhood! I just don't get that point of view!!

Did you read my post above? I'm not claiming that my childhood was ruined, but being told 'the truth' definitely took away some of the magic of christmas for me as a child

[Guest_GertrudeB_*]

I'm with Kylie on this one and I believe that it is important for children to grow up understanding the difference between a social lie and a deliberately deceptive or malicious one. People who don't understand the difference have a harder time as adults.

For what it's worth, I value truth very highly and my word is my bond, but I do kid around and trick children occasionally, for fun. Their's and mine.

[Jemstar]

And I don't believe that you can never lie to your child.

this

As for the "I would never lie to my child" brigade - good luck with that. Just remember that not all lies are evil, trust destroying things. Sometimes a lie is a good and caring thing to do.

and this.

[*Greenbag*]

If there were an argument for not spending tax-payer dollars educating women who are just going to waste it having children, it would be that those analytical minds will be tempted to spend time debating whether playing a game of fantasy with children will turn them into bitter, resentful adults with trust issues. Or, whether not 'playing Santa' will create children devoid of imagination and rob them of magical childhood innocence.

Some traditions are meant to be taken for granted. Next, we'll be discussing whether singing, 'Happy Birthday', is robbing children of their individuality and whether each family should compose their own musical birth commemoration melody. And some traditions are just not really a part of tradition at all. Santa is not a compulsory childhood experience, nor is he a damaging myth, he's just a myth - you either play, or you don't. I don't even know why we're discussing it.

This post has been edited by Greenbag: 21/12/2010, 11:34 AM

[SoxyMama]

Did you read my post above? I'm not claiming that my childhood was ruined, but being told 'the truth' definitely took away some of the magic of christmas for me as a child

I was referring specifically to someone in a previous post who said exactly that - that we were ruining childhood if we didn't do Santa, not you specifically. I was also referring to my sister who quite bluntly told us the same thing. I just don't get the we're ruining childhood by not doing Santa!

[SoxyMama]

Double post

This post has been edited by DarlingBudsofMay: 21/12/2010, 11:20 AM

[ShoshieRu]

We don't do Santa in our house. I don't buy the argument that it is letting kids' imaginations develop - quite the contrary. A manufactured story, with all components neatly assembled? Boring. My DD is incredibly creative and imaginative - we let her use HER imagination, not present her with something to believe in.

[red door]

there are some sad sad people here on EB.

If the only valid way to exist in the world is through the rational, overly intellectualized way, I don't want part of it. The problem with this world is it is entirely approached through the head and the heart has been forgotten.

If this is the culture that we are creating I am opting out. I will run away, build my strawbale and make goat soap to trade, coz I will not live in a world where the heart and imagination is stomped n by people so disconnected.