Are parents right to lie about Santa?

I don't think it's wrong for your children to have a belief in Santa. I think it's good for kids to have magical beliefs. It sparks immagination and wonder. But, lets not let them forget the true meaning of Christmas.

What are your thoughts?? Why not share what you think instead of just asking us our thoughts- that way we can see if we agree or not- My thoughts are this- I think it is fine- You are per say lying- you are letting them experience magic- Santa to me is magical- My daughter and I play Santa every year- we get a list from a family that is low-income and otherwise might not be able to get their kids gifts- We buy items on the list- wrap them up and write their names and from Santa- Santa is about magic- What you believe-

I believe the tradition of lying about Santa for children is a good culture as it is associated with love from parents towards their kids. Meanwhile though it is a white lie yet it could install hopes and give pleasure to the kids. The young kids would appreciate the love and care given by the kind hearted Santa Claus. This could promote healthy growth and development of morality of the kids as the grand festival could give so much joys and love to them. Anyway I like this magic stocking.

In a way I think it is wrong. But in a way it is sort of a way of training our kids about deception. it is sort of an initition. I know I spelled that wrong

I dont think there is anything wrong in telling the children about the Santa. This is because they are telling anything wrong about that, but by telling that it makes the children happy and feel better. There is a common saying in our region, "If a lie can make good to someone, even that lie is not wrong".

I don't think it's a damaging lie, and it certainly adds to the excitement of Christmas for small children.

Well, I do not think that they are right about that but you have to give kids something to believe in and leave you alone. I think it a relief for parents and a very bad lie but if no one is going to get hurt about it, then I think it is an ok lie.

well there are a lot of things parents lie about not just santa. another example is the tooth fairy, the ghost under the bed.... and just like about santa, kids out grew them. my parents let us believe about three kings and we out grow it just like the santa issue. one day you will wake up in the morning realising that you dont want anything to ask santa coz your family and friends are more than enough. wink wink

From my childhood I saw the tales of a white-bearded man coming down the chimney quite charming and believed it completely and then found out it was not true - at least not in the physical world. Santa to me is a symbol of somebody who is happy to give. Also do not actions speak louder than words? Did our parents act in a way that caused us to trust them or mistrust them? I trusted my parents completely, the fed, clothed and educated me and yet they lied to me about Santa? No.. I see it more as a game they played with us and isn't all life a game anyway? How can I have mistrust for two people who played a game that excited me - the presents were always there for me that put a smile on my face that they loved to see :-)

I don't feel that it is wrong to tell children there is a Santa Claus. You want your children to use their imagination, and when I explained the myth of Santa to my son, I just told him that it was using imagination to bring joy to children on Christmas Eve. I know that he felt a sense of loss, when he found out that Santa was not really real, but I also told him that if he told me there was no Santa, then the presents stopped coming. I think we all have to have a dream, and if making children happy on Christmas morning, knowing that Santa left those presents just for them, then I am not against it.

i never see it that way.. in my childhood days, santa is one of the reason i love christmas... and when i discover, santa wasn't true, i was never disappointed... instead i help my parents filling my younger siblings socks, from a child believing in santa, i became the santa for my younger sibling... its fun

I am a parent of three childern two who now know that Sanata in a Big Red Suit is not real. Along with the Easter Bunny and Toothfairy. Being in a community where most childern have this tradition it would be difficult not to be lead into it. When it was time to tell the kids I said that the "man" isn't real but the message and the thoughts behind him "the spirit" of christmas is real. The joy of giving to those you love and helping to create the magic is a special part of it. So now they are Santa's Helpers in giving my youngest the joy and magic of Christmas.

There really was a Saint Nicholas so technically there is no lie the problem comes from all the commericallism from the stores and media. The idea of Christmas is the idea of giving and to celebrate Jesus Birthday because he gave us the ultimate give (himself)

sometimes we have to take the suppoert of some untrue stories or some imaginary characters so that we can make children to comprehend complex facts about the life. But it is our responsibility that we should make them aware about the real facts.

I don't have any children but I remember a certain "magic" being lost when I learned there was no Santa Claus. I don't see anything wrong with children believing in Santa.