Yesterday, I read a blog post where the author asked, Do you lie (or make your kids lie) about Santa Claus?
The author and commenters talked about their struggle with perpetuating the LIE that is Santa.
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE? You struggle with lying to your children about Santa? You struggle with the decision to bring joy to the heart of your child? To allow him/her to get excited in the wonder of Christmas, in the magic of something so simple and innocent as Santa Claus?
If you do, then you SUCK!
SUCK. SUCK. SUCK.
Am I making myself clear?
One commenter wrote this:
I never lie. Especially about fantasy worlds.
Critical thinking skills are an absolute must for kids to negotiate this big, weird world. Lying (and covering up the lie, again and again, making less and less falsifiable) is a disservice to the kids and a danger to society as a whole. Teach them to THINK, not to BELIEVE.
Letting your child believe in Santa Claus is a "danger to society as a whole"? I seriously want to throat punch this lady!
I imagine growing up as her child must be a real riot...you know, since she NEVER lies.
I can see it now...little Susie is upset because nobody has asked her to the school dance...enter "mom" to make it all better.
Well Susie, it's like this...you're ugly. You're fat and ugly and no boy wants a fat, ugly girl as their date to the dance. Sorry, but that's the TRUTH..I wouldn't want to damage you by telling you a lie.
I'm sure Susie will appreciate her mother's honesty. She may slit her wrists, but at least her mom can be proud of the fact that she NEVER lied to her kids.
KUDOS mom...KUDOS to you!
For me..I will be a liar. A BIG. FAT. LIAR.
I will encourage the children in my life to BELIEVE...to believe in goodness, and kindness, and wonder. I will teach them the importance of giving to others and allow them to feel the magical presence of Santa.
Yes, I will LIE to them...and my heart will burst with joy when I see their little faces light up at all the wonder that is Christmas.
I believe that some day they will grow up to be well adjusted adults. In spite of, the belief in Santa Claus. Quite capable of using their critical thinking skills to navigate this big, weird world. Even if, for a few years they left cookies for Santa and heard the jingle of sleigh bells in the distance on Christmas Eve. Yes, I believe they will adjust to adulthood quite well, in spite of it all.
But for now...for now, I will allow them to enjoy the innocence of childhood. It is a gift we only get once in our lifetime...I will not rob them of that.
So YES Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus....He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.
Well said. I have been lying to my children about Santa every year for 5 years. And every Christmas Eve, my kids drive me insane with their anticipation of the big man himself sneaking into our house. Then Christmas morning, I watch their little faces light up as they see Santa's bootprints in the doorway, check to see that he ate his cookies and milk and then make their way to the tree to see what Santa left them. And their is nothing sweeter in this world than seeing the joy that brings to their faces.
ReplyDeleteOh Teanna...I LOVE how kids are on Christmas Eve...just PURE excitement! And to see the "evidence" that Santa had indeed visited them while they slept...what joy their little faces show! Yes...you are right, there is nothing sweeter...why anyone would want to deprive their child of that is beyond me...I'm so thankful that MY parents LIED to me all those years ago and I shall do the same! ;-) MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge believer in lying to my kids...and other people's kids...and people in general. Oh, and my lying has nothing to do with Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHeehee...Oh Lori..I LOVE you more each day!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I could not have said this any better.
ReplyDeleteThis is just perfect.
There is a whole lifetime ahead in which to question and argue and discuss. A lovely life.
But that unquestioning innocence and belief?
That only lasts a little while.
A lovely little while.
You know, the thing is, Christmas can be beautiful and full of joy without having to lie about Santa. Why focus on something that will be revealed to be a lie later when there is so much to celebrate?
ReplyDeleteAnd for all the adults who say they loved the lie, I have heard about as many who felt betrayed when they found out, and who resent that their "unquestioning innocence and belief" (to use kris's words) was used in that way. Who likes to find out they have been fooled? Does that not taint the joy?
Anyway honestly does everyone have to do everything the same way? You do the Santa thing. I don't. Moving along now.
Sorry... but I COMPLETELY disagree and will so 'til the end of time...Santa is a magical part of Christmas and to remove that is such a SHAME..and I definitely DO NOT think Santa is a lie but rather a wonderful Secret.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad for all the children that are denied that Joy! So sad indeed!
Moving along now...
So true Kris...so true..the innocence of childhood is extinguished much too soon...why anyone would want to rush that is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteNext I suppose some will say there is no Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy or The Great Pumpkin...Lol!
"is a disservice to the kids and a danger to society as a whole."
ReplyDeleteUnicorns and leprechauns are clearly a danger to society as a whole. Don't say I didn't warn you when the Uniprechaun-pocalypse is upon us all.
Well, Duh..Everyone knows Unicorns and Leprechauns will be our demise..heehee!
ReplyDelete