Ragamuffin Soul - Latest Comments in Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Lisa — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 03:00:08 -0000

oops sorry!! the youngest is 4 not 9!! typo

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Lisa — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:58:30 -0000

I have 3 boys (11, 10 &9). The oldest decided this year that he doesnt believe in Santa anymore and took hand writing samples from me, his Dad and his PaPa (my Dad) so that he can compare it this year to the gift tags. He gave me a "test" and I had to put my answers in written form. I KNOW he doesnt believe anymore and he knows it but there is still that 1% that keeps him wondering... They've been asking for a couple of years off and on and when they ask me if hes real I tell them "Santa is real for anybody who believes in him, he's not for those who don't." So anyway, I've decided to take the 2 oldest aside and tell them the truth and get them to help me play Santa to the 4 year old. I mean its time..they've had a good run right? 11 & 1O...

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Sharon — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:45:22 -0000

I have always told my children about Saint Nicholas how he lived years ago and did good things for children, and we remember him today with Santa...but, that Jesus is the one who really gives us all the good gifts that we have in our lives, even the ones on Christmas...so I let the "believe" if they wanted to, but, they always knew the history of where both Jesus and Santa came from...now they are 15, and 18 and Jesus still RULES! (in their lives)

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

thomas taylor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:30:17 -0000

You are on a path that will make you a better man of God. Santa, like many other symbols and celebrations, of this time, are based in the pagan world, but have been sanctified or weakened by the passage, of time. Never cease in your instructions, to your children, that they will experience the true reason, for this traditional observance, of the birth, of our Lord.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Billy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:01:09 -0000

Hey man, I know I am late getting in on this, but here is my deal:

I am not into telling my kids to believe in things that can't see that aren't real (i.e. Santa, Tooth Fairy, etc) because I wonder if they will (consciously, subconsciously) lump God into that category too. Anyway, we tell them Santa stories, and watch Rudolph, but we give and receive gifts from each other, not from the fat man in red. That's my 2 cents worth.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Donnie — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:38:10 -0000

...The conversation about Santa not being real

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Donnie — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:35:18 -0000

I think there would be a question about who is real and who is not if you TELL them that Santa is real.

Have you thought about how or when you will have that conversation with them about Santa?

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Curtis — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:33:13 -0000

I will not lie to my kids. Of course, my kids will probably be the ones to ruin it for other kids. Oh well.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Karen — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:21:16 -0000

What?!?!?! Santa isn't real????

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Carlee — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:34:47 -0000

I think the point of the "1 day of Santa" and "365 days of Jesus" is that if I am truly bringing up your children in a Christ-centered home, there should be no question in my children's minds who is real and who is not.

My kids were upset when they found out My Little Ponies didn't actually exist. They're kids! And that's okay. They got over it eventually and moved on to the Smurfs.

It's not that we have so much of a "why not" approach as we think sometimes the controversy gets blown out of proportion. I have heard several people people say they were upset (making it sound like they were actually traumatized) and that they didn't like perpetuating lies to their children (I do believe make believe is harmless). To say there IS a right approach and there IS a wrong approach IS wrong. Parenting styles are different and I believe it's best to just respect each other's varying styles.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

ren — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:04:39 -0000

I was prerry angry when I discovered that my parents lied to me about Santa. I just took it so hard that they so blatantly lied about it (I was a very serious child with strong values for truth). I suppose it was because when I reached the age of doubt, I kept asking them questions and they kept finding creative ways to make me believe in Santa. During financial difficulties one year my mom said, "kids, we don't have much money so Santa isn't bringing much this year" and I said "well, what does our money have to do with it since Santa gives toys for free?" My mom said, "Santa doesn't give toys for free. He comes to your door with his hand out looking for payment and if you have no money, he leaves no toys!" So, I was disillusioned to find that Santa was just another money hungry soul who happened to have flying reindeer! All in all, I just wish they had told me the truth when I asked instead of continuing the whole charade. So, I decided to just tell my kids the truth about Santa whenever they asked.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Becka Knight — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:05:35 -0000

This is such a good question. I want my kids to trust me and not feel betrayed. I believed in Santa till about age 6 when for some reason I just stopped. It wasn't traumatic or anything.

I think I'll tell them about Santa but probably not hype it up. Maybe show him more as the spirit of giving at Christmas than as the reason for it. That way some of the fun Christmas magic is still there but it's not the core reason for it.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Donnie — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:28:39 -0000

I don't think anyone talks about Santa for just one day out of the year like so many of the commenters seemed to indicate (1 day out of the year we talk about Santa, the rest of the year it's Jesus). If you "do Santa" in your family, it's gotta be a good month out of the year that you are talking about it with your kids.

So many people in the comments talked about feeling upset when they found out that Santa wasn't real. Even some of the pro-Santa folks said that. That's unfortunate and unnecessary.

One other thing I noticed is that many of the people who don't pretend Santa is real seemed to have really well thought through reasons, and the people that did "do Santa" seemed to have more of a "why not" type of approach.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Dave © — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:56:57 -0000

Hmmm...I guess that's how she knew.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

charity — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:32:53 -0000

didn't mean to come across as having a holy stick

I just think we are asking the wrong question

I'm actually a non-stir it up, run from conflict person
so it was great to let out years of frustration
sorry if I didn't live up to my name in my earlier post :-)

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Charlotte — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:06:51 -0000

I have three kids and we just kind of take it easy about Santa. We watch polar express, we read santa books, we call deer reindeer but haven't emphasized that their presents come from Santa. They come from us. I am definitely not having the elves show up and do naughty tricks like a lot of moms are doing!!
We just keep it simple and try to deal with all the tears when we are buying other people the things she wants and she has to wait until Christmas. We like to bring up the story about Saint Nick and get them to think about giving to others and helping other people feel good.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Chelsea — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:20:48 -0000

We tell the story of St. Nick, but we won't lie to our kids and perpetuate the whole Santa thing. As a kid I knew my parents were lying and I was wholly and completely annoyed that they would look me in the eye and tell me ridiculous stories about The List and The Chimney and everything else that goes along with it. Christmas is about Jesus' birth, pure and and simple. St. Nicholas would be appalled, I think, if he knew that his simple acts of generosity had become the main focus of Christmas in most households.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

deneenwhite — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:47:38 -0000

We love Santa in my house. I have two Santas following me on twitter. Scary.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Gene — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:16 -0000

My kids know about the actual St. Nick and why it's fun to pretend.
I don't lie to them, but I do keep them from spoiling other kids by telling them that is between the other kid and his parents.
I think we tend to celebrate what Santa represents rather then what he is.

My big thing is that I want my kids to be grateful:
Christmas Presents come from hard working parents who love their kids, not some fat elf in a red suit who jumps down chimneys! =)

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

Karen — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:54:10 -0000

I have 5 kids. We never "did" Santa because it was a lie. If Satan is the Father of lies, well...Merry Christmas everybody!

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

bryankhill — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:20:04 -0000

Santa, we have left it up to them. Them being my 6 and 8 year old. The question has been asked, and we let them reflect on what they think. A couple of presents still come from Santa and they probably always will. Both my wife and I try to include Santa, but not concentrate on him. We do cookies and eggnog for him and that is as far as it goes. It is fun to see them get excited but I'm sure they have probably caught on. Kids are pretty smart you know.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

theepicbeat — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:21:47 -0000

We did it for the same reason. We didn't want our daughter to think we might be lying about Jesus as well. So in our house, Jesus is real, and Santa is make believe...but we still have him around. We put out cookies for him, but my daughter nibbles a little before bed, right after filling my stocking. She usually keeps it to herself, because we don't want to be "those" parents, but she knows what is truth and what is make-believe.

(I found out when I was 9...can you tell? I'm still a tad pissed about it.)

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

barnettblend — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:07:58 -0000

We grew up knowing that Santa was just pretend like Mickey Mouse or Donald.. It didn't ruin me and so I do the same with my kids.. They know not to say anything to others though.. :)

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

jennifer — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:00:36 -0000

we do both - but our boys definately know that we are celebrating Jesus's birthday. as a matter of fact my son had a homework assignment tonight and he had to list 5 things that remind him of christmas - he said "Jesus's Birthday" first - GO GOD!!!!!!!

as a christian mom i also believe in the goodness of people and our power to change the world. i believe that people are good and sometimes tough times just cover the goodness like a blanket.

at our church, Flamingo Road Church in South Florida, we are set to change the world in 22 days with random, sincere and purposeful acts of kindess, joy and generosity. check out thegiftrevolution.com to read more about this. the site is filled with stories of kindess and joy.

wishing you and your beautiful family a very merry christmas.
may your hearts be filled with joy this holiday season.
all the best
jennifer

PS - totally love you ink - your sleeve looks amazing!!!!

Re: Do/Will Your Kids Believe In Santa Clause?

loswhit — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:20:13 -0000

Thanks!!!