To Santa or Not to Santa?
Thanks to Sherry at InsideMotherhood for getting me fired up…
We’re all surrounded by those who would rather pound the Bible in the name of the truth than to invest a little love into the magical imagination of children.
Before my boys became teenagers and far too cool to believe in Santa, dress up for Halloween or hunt for Easter Eggs, I stood toe-to-toe with many who tried to steal away those valuable memories I’ll always treasure.
If a person wants to leave out the mystical, magical beings of the holidays, that’s fine, but don’t spoil it for me and my kids.
I’ve heard parents say that it’s horrible to let our kids believe in Santa because it’s a lie. Well, in my book, it’s called LIFE!
I don’t believe for a moment that these people have never ‘lied’ to escape a speeding ticket, to get a discount, to cut in line, to keep from paying a late fee, about their height or weight on their drivers license – Oh, I could go on and on and on…
Most parents try to teach their kids to use their imagination, to me Santa is one of the earliest examples of a vivid and fruitful imagination. He represents all that is good, the spirit of love and giving – anyone who tries to take that away from a family who believes is the worst kind of theif ever.
Hop over to Sherry’s and let her know what you think about letting kids believe in Santa.
Tags: santa, holidays, Christmas, christian, religion
*Cheer cheer*!
I often wonder if people who refuse to allow their children to believe in Santa because of the lie ever let their children watch a magician perform tricks. Technically that’s “lying” but it’s fun and joyful. I don’t think of Santa as lying to my kids anymore than I am when I read them a fictional story.
I still believe in Santa! What do these people know. Haven’t they seen Polar Express? LOL
It’s called collusion. It’s a shared game between parents and children that both know about at some level. I am all for being in cahoots with my kids and finding figures like Santa who let us play together.
I’m not sure I’ll ever understand what makes people be such party poopers
We don’t celebrate any of the make believe beings in our house. However we do not discourage our kids from watching the shows, letting grandparents partake in Santa giving presents or tell other families they are wrong for believing. Basically Santa, Easter bunny, etc… are still a part of the tradition around here but we ourselves do not give Santa presents or partake in any leaving out of cookies or writing letters. My kids understand that we work hard to give them a good life and fun toys.
All of that said we also are very clear in the fact that it is fun to pretend and to pretend in magic, and mystical things and to tell someone else that the magic is just pretend is not nice, even if it is just Grandma. We are hoping by including everyone in this list that it will discourage them from telling their peers.
I am not a bible thumper, or a party pooper, nor do I feel you are lying to your kids. I believe that each household has a right to believe or not to believe and just because the neighbors kid believes doesn’t mean mine have to. It just means I need to do my best to make my child understand that we don’t go out the door everyday yelling “SANTA IS A PHONY”
It’s respect. Plain and simple.
Does this sound like a good idea for the whole santa thing?
I want my kids (when i eventually have them) to know how hard we work to give them what we can. So maybe I’ll go with the explination that santa knows we dont need him to bring presents. Instead of writing to tell santa what they want for themselves, get them in the habbit of what santa whould get for all the other kids in the world. I dont want to take away the join of writing “the list” That was half the fun for me, seeing all the toys out there, rating how cool each item was. To me it sends out the message of giving, not getting. Also this way, my future kids arent the ones “spoiling santa” for others.
wow, my typing sucks today
**what santa should get
maybe we’ll even leave soymilk and organic snacks for santa, incase he’s in the area, and wants to watch is figure
lol okay, i think im going a little overboard 