Santa claus

[beetzart]

Is it wrong to tell my children that santa claus doesn't exist? I've asked several people and they say don't destroy the fantasy, that would be cruel.

I wondered this when I saw a vid of Richard Dawkins say how he wants to write a science book aimed at children, in the hope they will move away from reading stuff like Harry Potter.

[Professor Yaffle]

I'm leaving it ambiguous so that the kids can work it out for themselves as they get older. I think my older boy has worked out that Santa and the tooth fairy are just something you go along with for fun (and to get presents/money...) and recently he has been wondering whether bible stories are real or made up stories.

[RobRoy]

I asked the same question a few years back (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=114341) when I became a father for the first time.

There are some very good responses in that thread, and reading through it is a nice reminder.

[excaza]

I figured it out when my parents dropped a very heavy present in the middle of the night and woke me up :p

[beetzart]

I asked the same question a few years back (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=114341) when I became a father for the first time.

There are some very good responses in that thread, and reading through it is a nice reminder.

Thanks for that, good thread:)

[rjh01]

Another similar thread http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=171978

[Cuddles]

Is it wrong to tell my children that santa claus doesn't exist?

Lying counts as naughty, so if you tell your children Santa doesn't exist, he won't bring you any presents.

[OnlyTellsTruths]

Lying counts as naughty, so if you tell your children Santa doesn't exist, he won't bring you any presents.

OK, that makes my brain hurt.

[Loss Leader]

I made my 5 year-old to cry the other day by calling up Santa Claus and cancelling Christmas even though we are not Christian and we have never celebrated Christmas.

[ThermionicScott]

I liked Pisci's post (http://forums.randi.org/showpost.php?p=829896&postcount=7) in the other thread. Dale McGowan recommends telling silly things to your kids on occasion to remind them that not everything they hear (even from trusted sources) will be true, and so they need to be critical thinkers.

- Scott

[AaronMHatch]

I liked Pisci's post (http://forums.randi.org/showpost.php?p=829896&postcount=7) in the other thread. Dale McGowan recommends telling silly things to your kids on occasion to remind them that not everything they hear (even from trusted sources) will be true, and so they need to be critical thinkers.

- Scott

Just have them watch Fox News.

[ThermionicScott]

Just have them watch Fox News.

That'll teach 'em to be rude and arrogant though. :p

[23_Tauri]

I made my 5 year-old to cry the other day by calling up Santa Claus and cancelling Christmas even though we are not Christian and we have never celebrated Christmas.

Awww.. that seems a bit mean, on you and the kid. :( Do you not have a non-denominational day of fun and feasting?* You could still have Santa or a Santa-type figure - it's not like he has anything to do with god or the story of the little baby Jesus. :)

*if you do, please don't call it 'Winterval'.. Ugh!

[Jupiter 7]

I think it's probably fine to tell kids lies about Santa. Well, at least until such a time as people go around killing in Santa's name. :D

I have fond memories of waiting for Santa at Christmas time, being thwarted every time and not really caring as all I wanted were the toys anyway. :)

[ThunderChunky]

I am not a parent, but I would say don't lie to you kids about santa. That doesn't mean you have to spoil it either. Taking a bite out of some cookies at night and sticking secret presents under the tree is not lying. Once they are actually old enough to question santa, they will figure it out pretty soon. Lying will create bitterness IMO.

[Beth]

As I tell my son these days, I know Santa exists. I know that because I am Santa. Or more accurately, part of what makes Santa come alive for children in our culture. :D

Too me, Santa is just too delightful a part of our culture to give up. If you think about it, it is pretty magical the way presents appear beneath a decorated tree for children throughout our land every Christmas.

Just share with your children what you love about the holiday and, if they need it, you can help them to let go of their childish fantasies about the short fat old guy with a beard at the north pole when they're old enough.

[RobRoy]

I am not a parent, but I would say don't lie to you kids about santa. That doesn't mean you have to spoil it either. Taking a bite out of some cookies at night and sticking secret presents under the tree is not lying. Once they are actually old enough to question santa, they will figure it out pretty soon. Lying will create bitterness IMO.

Your statement seem contrary. Can you please explain?

[fossilhound]

In retrospect, the happiest time in my life was when my daughter was little and I got to set up toys on Christmas Eve (devout atheist christmas eve). If you tell the truth and end it, one day you'll wish you had it back. Now I'm doing it for my grandson and I dread the day he decides he's too old for Santa Claus.

[Ranb]

When my kids were 6 and 7, I heard them discussing something while I was watching TV. After a few minutes, my son asked me if Santa Claus was real. I guess they were questioning the notion of flying reindeer and one person giving gifts to all the world,s children.

I explained to them that there was a real person named St Nicolas that gave gifts to people, but he lived long ago. I told them that Santa was his helper and that his presents were actually from mom and dad. This seemed to make sense to them and we all still enjoyed Christmas after that.

Ranb