Does it hurt kids to pretend that there is a Santa Claus?

[JackFTwist]

My deal with the kids was that I never lied to them. That set a lot of good standards for later on. I also wanted them to appreciate who really gave them their gifts - which relatives, etc.

And there are two things Christian kids get told about Christmas and when one is a lie, that does suggest the other is also. So to take away from the commericalism, that Christmas was about Santa and presents, we went with Christmas is about gifts of love, be it from God or our loved ones.

We also talked about the original St. Nicholas giving gifts to the poor, etc., and made sure we did some of that during the season.

Worked quite well. Trust has to be absolute. Truth telling - has to be. Anti-commercialism and anti-materialism has to begin.

 

[GayBoyKellyCfan]

Kinda.

I think it's crushing when you're told by like class mates and then they make fun of you 'cause you're in the 7th grade, psh. A - holes. Not that, that happened to me ar anything.. Haha ...ha... ha

 

[Riverrick]

Robert~Marlénè and JackFTwist, I really like your explanations here. Basically, this is my point also. I realize that its hard to understand since it has to do with a tradition that many of us hold dear, but its still a lie and a big one at that.

When I found out at 6 or 7 that Santa wasn't real, I cried myself to sleep that night. I had asked my mother whether the Easter Bunny was real since it just didn't make sense to me and she told me that no he wasn't and, by the way, neither was Santa Claus. What? I wasn't expecting that one!

But that was it, end of conversation. She tucked me in, kissed me goodnight and left the room and Santa suddenly no longer existed. I remember that conversation to this day.

I don't have my heels dug in about this issue but I do wonder whether it does more harm than good.

 

[Diodorus]

Only if they are older than 16. .

 

[NedNickerson]

Self Explanatory: