Santa- UO

Bemyselfandi

Ok so on my local mom's group someone brought up the fact they are not letting their kids believe in Santa. It's their choice. Nbd. My problem (which of course is miniscule compared to problems these days kids encounter) is how kids who didn't ever believe in Santa practically bullied me and any friends who believed. It was so so sad and I still feel hurt in a way thinking about how these kids were mean about it. One mom explained her kids aren't mean to other kids and they would never ruin it for others. But how often does a kid make fun of another and their parents would NEVER think their kid would have a mean spirit in their body??? I am probably rambling as I'm on my phone. I know this is not new. Kids grew up not believing in Santa when I grew up but this rubs the wrong way. I gotta just keep a positive perspective by believing my kids will believe in Santa and know that even if kids make fun of them for believing it's no big deal in the grand scheme of things. It'll probably be the least of their worries throughout life....why do I care so much???

It's just Santa....

rp-chicago-mom

I agree, I will not use it as a bargaining tool, though. I am not at all a fan of, "You better be good because Santa is watching." I think that misses the point. 

Bemyselfandi

Baker_Bride said:

I agree, I will not use it as a bargaining tool, though. I am not at all a fan of, "You better be good because Santa is watching." I think that misses the point. 

Ha! I said this once last week to Daxton. He totally doesn't get it....I was trying to be funny. Haha

Rhomonk

Bemyselfandi said:

Ok so on my local mom's group someone brought up the fact they are not letting their kids believe in Santa. It's their choice. Nbd. My problem (which of course is miniscule compared to problems these days kids encounter) is how kids who didn't ever believe in Santa practically bullied me and any friends who believed. It was so so sad and I still feel hurt in a way thinking about how these kids were mean about it. One mom explained her kids aren't mean to other kids and they would never ruin it for others. But how often does a kid make fun of another and their parents would NEVER think their kid would have a mean spirit in their body??? I am probably rambling as I'm on my phone. I know this is not new. Kids grew up not believing in Santa when I grew up but this rubs the wrong way. I gotta just keep a positive perspective by believing my kids will believe in Santa and know that even if kids make fun of them for believing it's no big deal in the grand scheme of things. It'll probably be the least of their worries throughout life....why do I care so much??? It's just Santa....

I guess I'm not sure why this rubs you the wrong way.  Is this woman's kid known to bully or something?  Otherwise, there is nothing you can do, or predict.  The only thing I will add is that it's hard to say that kids can keep a secret.  I mean, kids are kids.  They don't always think rationally when they speak.  Heck, adults have issues keeping secrets. 

Bemyselfandi

Rhomonk said:

Bemyselfandi said:

Ok so on my local mom's group someone brought up the fact they are not letting their kids believe in Santa. It's their choice. Nbd. My problem (which of course is miniscule compared to problems these days kids encounter) is how kids who didn't ever believe in Santa practically bullied me and any friends who believed. It was so so sad and I still feel hurt in a way thinking about how these kids were mean about it. One mom explained her kids aren't mean to other kids and they would never ruin it for others. But how often does a kid make fun of another and their parents would NEVER think their kid would have a mean spirit in their body??? I am probably rambling as I'm on my phone. I know this is not new. Kids grew up not believing in Santa when I grew up but this rubs the wrong way. I gotta just keep a positive perspective by believing my kids will believe in Santa and know that even if kids make fun of them for believing it's no big deal in the grand scheme of things. It'll probably be the least of their worries throughout life....why do I care so much???

It's just Santa....

I guess I'm not sure why this rubs you the wrong way.  Is this woman's kid known to bully or something?  Otherwise, there is nothing you can do, or predict.  The only thing I will add is that it's hard to say that kids can keep a secret.  I mean, kids are kids.  They don't always think rationally when they speak.  Heck, adults have issues keeping secret. 
You're very right I think that's my point. You can't predict what a kid will do or say no matter how well mannered they are. I remember feeling bullied about believing when I was a kid. It seems so silly for kids to make fun of...but it happens

Rhomonk

Bemyselfandi said:

You're very right I think that's my point. You can't predict what a kid will do or say no matter how well mannered they are. I remember feeling bullied about believing when I was a kid. It seems so silly for kids to make fun of...but it happens

Gotcha.  I'm sorry about your experience. 

 I'm curious to hear the opinions of our Jewish (and other religions who don't "believe" in Santa) and their experiences when they were young.

Bemyselfandi

Rhomonk said:

Bemyselfandi said:

Rhomonk said:

You're very right I think that's my point. You can't predict what a kid will do or say no matter how well mannered they are. I remember feeling bullied about believing when I was a kid. It seems so silly for kids to make fun of...but it happens

Gotcha.  I'm sorry about your experience. 

 I'm curious to hear the opinions of our Jewish (and other religions who don't "believe" in Santa) and their experiences when they were young.

My family on my dad's side is Jewish. My cousins were brought up believing in Santa. They have a tree every year. I always thought that was kind of funny. Its the whole "season" not necessarily what it symbolizes for them. If that makes sense....

rp-chicago-mom

I wonder, too, if some of that bullying is jealousy. I would be pretty pissed if I was a kid and all my friends were getting presents from a mythical magical fat man in a red suit when I wasn't. 

lady_tytah

Hubs won't let the kid. I have no issues till they get of age. I didn't get made fun of as a kid. My mom was surprised I actually believed as a kid because we did nothing with Santa. Eh, I'm fine either way.

vic8504

We will pretend like there is a Santa for DD once she finds out it's not true then okay that is fine. Even after my sister knew he wasn't real my parents would still do gift's from Santa for a good while. It is just something fun that sets the spirit and magic of the season.

Mrs. Rohde

We totally do Santa in our house. C loves it and I love that even though I never bought the story as a kid I still loved the idea of it.

rMe6411

Santa IS real!!!!!!!! I still believe and those nasty kids can shove it.
DH grew up with a Jewish dad and his mom was a Jehovahs Witness. He had no Santa and he says it never got in the way and since he didn't know much about him he just never put in his two sense to other kids.

zbeesma86

I will do the Elves. The kids I nannied for did that and loved it!! I'd help the mom set them up at night... So cute in the am when they would find them on the fireplace and such.

Jessica Swanlake

Somehow my older daughters made it to 10 and 8 believing in Santa. Hilariously, the 8 year old figured out I am the Easter bunny but still holds out hope that the fat man is real.

Kids on the playground always try and ruin it- it is how you handle the questions that will keep them believing. The time when they still believe in magic is so short- smurf hunting, santa claus, leprechauns- you should just enjoy it while you can and not worry about the other families.

DoctorsWifey

We haven't really decided what we would do/not do. I think we'll just put presents under the tree, make decorations and sure if there is a Santa around to take pictures with we will. But I definitely will NOT be one of those parents that use it as a bargaining tool or anything of that nature, saying things like, "If you aren't good santa wont bring you gifts". I think that is crap and it really irritates me. 

YouGoGlenCoco

Every year at Christmas my friends and I dance a routine to "Jingle Bell Rock". Its so fetch.