Santa Claus

Ok, if you're basing your argument for denying your kids what can be some of the most magical parts of childhoodon being honest, then I'm guessing that you NEVER believed in Santa? Allowing your children to believe in Santa and the magic of the Christmas spirit isn't lying to them. It's letting them be children. Just like the tooth fairy leaving coins under their pillow and the Easter Bunny hiding eggs at Easter. It's part of being a kid that every child in the country should have a right to. Would you have wanted to be denied all of that in YOUR childhood? I seriously doubt it. I understand that you're trying to do what you feel is right for your children, but I also see where a lot of people would think it was cruel to deny your children the magic and wonder of what Christmas should be for every child. Part of the joy for a child is trying so very hard to stay awake on Christmas Eve to hear reindeer hooves on the rooftop, listening for the sound of sleigh bells and Santa rifling through his big red bag to leave you wonderful gifts, not to mention getting up early on Christmas morning to see what he left them. I can't understand why you wouldn't want your kids to have that. I haven't been fortunate enough to have kids, but let me tell you, if I ever do, oh the fun I'll have doing up Christmas and EVERY child friendly holiday. Childhood should be full of magic and wonder, not facts and bubbles bursting. This world is a crappy enough place and so many children have their childhood cut short unnecessarily, taking the magic of Christmas away from them just seems ... wrong to me. Kids should be allow to be KIDS and revel in and enjoy every magical thing about being a child. I would encourage my children to not only believe in Santa for as long as I possibly could, but teach them what the true magic of Christmas was when they reached the age when they questioned it. I am almost 40 years old and I still desperately want to believe that somewhere out there, there's a work shop full of little people working furiously to get each child that special something for Christmas, all the while being watched over by a jolly old man with a fluffy white beard and a big soft belly that begs to be hugged. I would give just about anything to get back that magical childhood sense of wonder. Anyway, you asked..... just my opinion.

I understand how you feel. mY oldest is three, and this is the first year we had to discuss with him about Santa Clause. It seems during this time of year, it's everyone's favorite question to ask, "what are you asking Santa for?" and my son says "nothing" and theyjust look on puzzled. We have taught him to respond to any santa question with "Christmas isn't about Santa, it's about Jesus" then they usually look at me and say, oh that's sweet, or something to that extent, and I dont' have to go into why we didn't go the santa route with him, and he doesn't divulge any info to another child that may be standing by. We have gotten a few comments here and there, but most people don't say much about it once he tells them the real reason of Christmas. (: I agree with you though, that i'd rather not mislead, lie or divulge him into this fantasy, we don't give santa any more attention than we do Frosty or Rudolph, and he knows it's just pretend like Thomas the train or big bird. GOod luck to you and your family and i hope you have a blessed holiday!

I never thought of letting the kids believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, or Tooth Fariy as lying to them. They are fantasy, and kids live in a fantasy world. They may also believe the Teletubbies and other fictional characters really exist! As they get older they begin to learn the difference between fantasy and reality, and I doubt too many kids are seriously emotionally damaged by learning the truth about where gifts come from. If you don't care to indulge in these fantasies with them, however, that's your choice and no one has the right to criticize you for how you decide to raise your children. I guess some people just want to think their way is the right way and get upset when others don't agree. Ignore them.

Hello! I am from India and a Hindu at that. Since childhood, I have been to a non-religious school which has believed in celebrating Christmas just as fun for all the children. Now my 8yr old son goes to a similar school. Come December, they have charity for poor children followed by Christmas Party where all the children participate in plays, games, decorating the school with a big jolly Santa and tree and end off with snacks and drinks contributed by all. At home, we buy decorative Christmas trees and Santa Claus figures (which are sold aplenty this time of the year) and buying a plum cake is compulsory. During Easter the cake shops stock chocolate eggs stuffed with goodies which I buy for my kid. Just he other day, when I asked him what special gift he would like for Christmas, he told me the same thing as most children you mention: Mummum, why do you have to give me something in the name of Santa, I know there is no Santa, you buy them and then keep them by the Christmas tree. I told him that he was correct, but Santa is just another way of celebrating religion with fun. These are all occasions to add a little more colour and fun to our otherwise mundane existence. I told him that as a kid, even I believed in Santa and fairies and elfs and such but as I grew and came to know the truth, my appreciation for these imagined figures increased as I came to appreciate their importance in our lives. So I passed them on to my son and he would do the same to his children. He understood (at least I hope so). I think you can talk to your children in a similar manner and explain to them that all religions have specific figures and DAYS to celebrate throughout the year because it brings us (specially the children) closer to religion in a more acceptable and enjoyable way. The heavens will certainly not fall apart if children were told the truth and we stopped inviting Santa but it would certainly make Christmas a little bit dull.

Maybe its better this way though. At least a couple years down the road you wont have to worry about seeing your kids crying with a broken heart. I remember when an older kid told my cousin that santa wasnt real it broke her little heart. And your right some kids would probably remember that their parents "lied" to them. And in that case how could you expect your kids to tell you the truth? You couldnt, not in reality.

Well, from my point of view, you shouldnt worry about it. I wonder sometimes about what i see in Mylot concerning Santa Claus.I was never told this lie when i was young.And yes, i was a really happy kid because a Santa Claus doesnt make you happier. Most people i know, no kid was taught that lie.Its because people dont care!Why tell your kid a lie, since it wont be much of fascinated either way!Children need our love and caring, Christmas is magical for them, even without Santa Claus around.So, i want to congratulate you on not lying your kids for Santa.Dont worry, they will be happy kids, enjoying life to the maximum.No need to fill kids' minds with lies.Last but not least...i dont think that children feel bad when told the truth.I have known some people who told kids the lie, and after years they made up for it.Do you think kids are idiot?They already knew!!Even at 4-5-6 kids just know about it! They only tend to believe it when you insist on telling them...how idiot would a parent be to try make their kid know a lie?Even when kid already is suspicious that this thing cant be! Sorry if i sounded insulting or offensive, that wasnt my purpose.I just wanna emphasize on this...dont waste your mind and your childrens' on lies...

i don't think that kids believe in santa claus, the easter bunny or the tooth fairy. afterall we know that these things aren't true or rather they don't exist. kids nowadays are really really smart i don't think you can fool them so easily. ^____^

I do not think there is anything wrong in telling there is a Santa Clause. My parents never told me there is no Santa Clause. I do not think it is like in telling children that there is Santa Clause. I think you should tell that there is a Santa Clause and he will bring presents to all the good children. I think most children loves to believe there is Santa Clause. When I was young I used to hand a small bag with all the presents I wanted for Christmas. I think you can tell you kids to keep a bag full of gifts they needed and you can put some chocolates or small things for them in their bag when they are sleep during the Christmas time. In our place most children would write a letter to the Santa Clause telling Him how they were nice and what all wrong things they did and all the good things they did and they will be nice to others, etc. I think it would be nice and cute to do these things during Christmas.