Santa Claus

You should tell them we can't know if there's a Santa Claus, but most of the presents labeled as from Santa are probably from the child's parents. Kids suspect this anyway

How Rude. You should never tell kids, atleast until they're about 8 or if they find out before you tell them. Let them have some fun while they are still little. God knows they won't be having any when they grow up.

No I don't think that a parent should tell a child that there is no Santa Claus at a young age. I believe that soing so is morally and ethically wrong especially considering the emphasis and focus that the America culture places on these holidays. It's funny because I actually wrote a whole paper about this subject once for class.

Here's the right question.....Is it right to make your child believe a lie when we tell them to never do so. The only bad thing is my kid tells other kids there is no santa and now exposed the other kids parents' lie. Harsh as it is, it's all a lie. I'd rather my kids believe I love them enough to buy them these gifts and not some fake made up man who had no affect on my childs' gifts.

Obviously as the parent you have the right to tell your child whatever you choose. Though to start this lie and continue it, when the child does learn the truth, s/he'll have a hard time trusting you after that. Not only that, Santa has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas has become so materialistic that so many are confused and have lost sight of the meaning behind Christmas. I'll not be telling my kids the lie of Santa, I want them to trust me. Also, as a public school teacher I do not encourage Santa in anyway. Last year I had my students make gifts for parents and/or loved ones and had them write letters to them telling them how much they mean to the child. My students never wrote "Dear Santa" letters and they won't this year or any other year I'm teaching school. Although, because I respect parents' rights I never come out and just say, "there's no Santa." That's not my place.

We use Santa to build character. If you are good, you get a lot. If you're bad you don't. Funny that the holiday was meant to teach that very concept of voluntary giving. However, if I could use a fictional Harry Potter as an example of character. Which child had a better heart, Dudley or Harry? Who got the most gifts for their birthday? Who gave the gifts? Who decided which child deserved more? At Christmas, children better watch out and they better not cry because,...Santa makes the decisions. I remember the threat well. When you're a child Santa is God. He deals out the love and the pain. I know much more now than I did then. Lies are bad no matter what they are used for. Santa Claus is not our Creator and the Easter bunny is not our Savior. I don't allow my children to confuse them. In case they meet a Santa who tells them to do things our Creator would NEVER ask a child to do, ever. What do you tell a poor child who would give you the only shirt he owns or gives his last food to someone who is hungry? That he was bad and Santa didn't even leave coal or a rock? There's a popular phrase thrown around a lot,...what would Jesus do? Meanwhile, the rich kid who picks on all the poor kids at school and slashes all the neighborhood tires gets a mountain of things he obviously doesn't use or he wouldn't have time to slash tires. Maybe if mom and dad threw love instead of toys at him, he would be nicer? My shelves are full of fantasy. But, how do you teach children the reward for having an honest heart when the signals are all mixed? Hocus pocus does not really make anyone a nicer person; that would be a manipulated thing, not voluntary. No freedom of choice needed, magic will make you do what the magician wants. Does getting the most presents make people nicer? Do two children with ten toys each still fight over the same toy? Let's go back to Harry. Can't spoil it so, I'll ask. What happens to Harry after he starts getting popular and lots more gifts? Does he become a little less nice? My children get more than some; and, it's enough struggle to teach sharing and individuality while being respectful of others. I don't need commercialism teaching my kids to have a superiority complex; or, giving them fuel to be hateful to people less fortunate or different from themselves. And, they'll have enough just trying to keep a good heart with all the mean things that occur whether you ask for it, or not. We're deep into a lot of things that need to change; I think trading fantasy back to reality might help a little.

If your the parent you have the right, but if it's not your kid than you certainly do not. I don't think anybody should ever tell them, because eventually they will realize on their own when their ready. My sister is 10 and still believes in Santa.

Yes there is no point in telling fake stories to kids

i think that we must tell to our children only the truth. we haven't right to trick our children, they have confidence on us, we don't disappoint them!

No it isn't right, how can you tell a small child that there is no Santa, it's all part of the excitement for them, they grow up soon enough and discover the real world.

Absolutely I think it is right. Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ will be taught in our house, we will not be making 'Santa' the idol of our Christmas :-)

Quick tell now theres no Santa look at all the money you will save! tell them and tell them now before its to late and I could not lie to my children ! If you bring them up with the truth then they only know the truth and nothing else but the truth .. Why lie to them ...... and wait till they grow up and lie to you ....

If it is your child to tell then yes it is alright, but they need to know not to spoil it for other children. If the child isn't your, keep quiet and let their perents tell them.

no its not right to say ! they will know the reality as and when time passes by ....

no as it is all t kids r there in there fancy world...

Yes, I told my 4 year old that Santa is make believe and we are going to play Santa and when you wake up you will have lots of prizes and toys under the tree. He is so excited.

No its an essential part of childhood to live in a world of fantasy. and santa is the best childhood fantasy. why spoil their fun. it causes no harm and gives them something nice to think about.

No, they will discover it anyway. the later the better!

No, they will discover it anyway. the later the better!

no .. i mean wats t wrong in lettin tem bliev in santa .. after all it is wat keeps t spirit of christmas alive, children lov it ,,t gifts .. and they r not gng to liv wit it . tere comes a time wen tey start blirvin in t contrary..