Should children be encouraged to believe in Santa Claus?

I think it is a personal choice for each family.

Each family has to make it their choice. Eventually, kids find out it's a hoax.

I think it's one of the biggest lies that they learn early in life @TheInvisibleMan .

I don't think it matters too much. Every family is different.

I guess there is nothing wrong with believing in Santa while the children are very young. Of course once they are over 10 I think it's inevitable that they will find out the truth.

Hm. I'm really unsure what to think. On one hand why not have a little fun at the one point in their lives when they believe in magic and etc? On the other hand - maybe santa should be more like an idea or a state of mind....

I don't know if I would say they should be encouraged to believe, but I certainly don't think they should be discouraged from believing in Santa or anything else. It's not wrong or bad to keep children away from tradition, nor is it wrong or bad to encourage it. Belief in fairy stories is part of being a child. It is a shame when their imagination and magic is discouraged. I mean, I wouldn't go out of my way to encourage a child to believe in something they don't believe but if my 12 year old says he still believes in Santa, I'm not going to tell him different.

I think it's just fine. But it's up to each family.

I loved Santa! And I cherish those fun magical memories still

I personally think it's a bit silly. I remember finding out that he was not real when I was 6 and I felt really stupid and I demanded to know why my parents had lied to me. It's fun but I think kids would accept the character even if they knew Santa was not a real thing but just a fairy tale.

It's too short period of life time - the period of childhood. So let them to cherish a fairy tale about Santa Claus. Santa Claus is a great symbol of hopes, dreams, desires. Also presents during Christmas period could be accepted as something deserved during the previous year. And, besides the mentioned above, it's a great fun and it's a nice decoration too. I also believe that he is a real psychological status in every human being that is conscious to be rewarded for some activities and to be mobilized for next actions in near future. I am not a child but metaphorically planned three things as strong wishes that I would like to come true during the coming year. I smiled at myself because I considered them too large and I was afraid that there was no space enough for them in Santa Claus's bag just now. So I asked him to deliver me these three presents during the New Year. And I do believe that he will do it. So I am ready to work hard to see my three dreams in my real life. I think it's a good psychological condition for my near future activities.

I see no harm in it. When they become older kids figure out the score. Let them enjoy this fantasy, it will be over all too soon.

@TheInvisibleMan traditions should be followed to some extent only.i used believe in childhood that santa Claus give lots of gifts lol.in that age it's a funny thing.parents shouldn't make children to blindly follow up some traditions.

I don't know necessarily about encouraging them directly, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it. When I was a child I LOVED santa and all the magic associated with it. When I finally figured out the truth, I was absolutey DEVASTATED that my parent lied to me all those years and that there was no magic in the world and really "outgrew' Christmas. Now that I'm older, though, I really kind of miss that feeling of whimsy and wonder and being able to believe in things like magic. If I have kids I'm pretty sure I'd do the whole santa thing because it gave me so many amazing memories and honestly it makes for a good life lesson once theyre older as well.

As a lover of truth, I don't think so but then the responsibility lies with the parents.

Its good to keep your kids in line with others.