Will there be a "Santa" this year?

OCMom2be

I am just curious as to what will be said about Santa. We have every intention of signing some gifts from Santa and pointing out any Santa decorations that DD sees and telling her all the stories. Reason why I ask is I just found out yesterday at DD's daycare (in-home) 2 of the girls there have already been told there is no Santa. Now, mind you they're older than DD, they are 2 and 3 but I don't want anyone ruining it for our DD. I know she's still too young to understand, but I think it should be our decision to tell her if Santa (or any other fictional character) is real.. not the other kids or parents.

first-time-mama

It does suck...I know most of the ladies that I hang out with dont agree with "Santa" because Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.  All our kids are the same age (within month) so I know Noah will find out early..which does suck..but I still plan on signing some stuff Santa.

ivs112

Well that sucks. Did they let the parents know that they would be telling the kids there was no Santa? I would be pissed.

I point out Santa on our Christmas decorations so that she'll become familiar with him but that's pretty much it.

jesssy1204

I dont think this year we will have Santa visit-but naxt year for sure!

I would be very upset if a 3year old ruined Santa for my child! I think it is special, and yes-our decision! GL

jessicaclare

Frankly, I think its stupid to tell a 2 or 3 year old there is no Santa. Fine if you don't want to celebrate that aspect of Christmas, but I know my 3 year does not understand the concept of not saying something. Kids that age are an open book. Wait until they are older and can understand keeping a secret before you tell them something like that.

NewFamily09

I don't think I ever want to tell DS that Santa is real.  When I was a kid and found out I had been lied to, I was upset and lost my belief in God too.  I know  a lot of other adults who had similar experiences.  I don't want to confuse DS.  On the other hand, I'm torn because pretending gives so much magic to the holiday.  If I do end up raising DS to not believe in him, I will make it clear (once he's old enough to understand) that he would get in very very big trouble if he ever talked about it at school and I found out.

kabarbanel

There was a Santa last year, even when DS was only 9 months old I just think it's fun, even if he doesn't understand yet.

sunnyday016

I know I'm waaay in the minority here, but I'm not a Santa fan. I don't really plan on telling her anything about Santa, especially this year. I think DH and I agreed she'd get 1 gift signed from Santa each year, but I'm not taking her to the mall to sit on his lap. If other kids in her class growing up believe in Santa and she does too, great. If not, that's fine too.

I just want to spend the Christmas season focusing on the birth of Jesus and giving to others. (and YES, I know that it's perfectly do-able to focus on that and Santa.)

OCMom2be

Oh yes, we had Santa last year too and DD was only 4 months!

I should have rephrased what I meant -- will there be a Santa..period! Or any other "ficitional character". So, for those of you who take your LO's to "go see" Santa and take pictures (and even the Easter Bunny) is that still considering "lying" to them? I am absolutely not looking for a debate..just curious on the views of other mommies.

jessicaclare

I lie to my older DD all the time. For example, those toy game machines at Walmart are always broken.

In seriousness, I don't think its lying, really, but I guess how you feel about it is largely colored by your experience as a child. I never felt my parents lied to me. Even after I found out (which I have no recollection of), my mom did Santa for us kids. My dad still gets us gifts from Santa. I think its a really magical part of Christmas.

FWIW, we celebrate both the secular and religious side of Christmas and at 3, my older DD seems to understand both sides.

CalinsBride

I think responsible parents who don't do Santa should tell their kids that other kids believe, so it's not nice to ruin it for them. At least that's what we plan on telling DS. We don't want him bursting other childrens' bubbles.

If someone DOES tell your DD that there's no Santa though, just tell them that the children who don't believe in Santa don't get gifts from him

Or you could use it as a learning experience, a first lesson in diversity. Everyone celebrates the holidays differently, everyone believes different things, and that's okay

ETA: I would never tell someone that it's "stupid" to tell their kids about Santa, so I think it's uncalled for to say that telling your kids that there is no Santa is stupid. My DS will understand that everyone has different beliefs, and that in some families they believe in Santa while in others they don't. Even a 2 or 3 year old can be taught to respect others.

jessicaclare

CalinsBride:

ETA: I would never tell someone that it's "stupid" to tell their kids about Santa, so I think it's uncalled for to say that telling your kids that there is no Santa is stupid. My DS will understand that everyone has different beliefs, and that in some families they believe in Santa while in others they don't. Even a 2 or 3 year old can be taught to respect others.

I just want to clarify that I don't think its stupid not to do the Santa thing, or to tell your kids. I just think that at age 2 or 3, you can't really expect them to keep that a secret and its quite possible they could ruin it for another kid (especially if they spend time with kids that are older then them). I think your use of the word responsible was more what I was going for. Poor choice of words on my part. Sorry.

I just think its irresponsible to expect a 3 year old to understand they need to keep that kind of secret. My three year old has NO concept of secrets, really. In a fun way, yes, but not enough to not blab all over about something. Last birthday party we went to we walked in the door and blurted out "Hey Ash, we got you a Barbie!". KWIM?

I don't really have a problem with people doing Santa or not doing Santa. To each their own.

CalinsBride

jessicaclare:

CalinsBride:

ETA: I would never tell someone that it's "stupid" to tell their kids about Santa, so I think it's uncalled for to say that telling your kids that there is no Santa is stupid. My DS will understand that everyone has different beliefs, and that in some families they believe in Santa while in others they don't. Even a 2 or 3 year old can be taught to respect others.

I just want to clarify that I don't think its stupid not to do the Santa thing, or to tell your kids. I just think that at age 2 or 3, you can't really expect them to keep that a secret and its quite possible they could ruin it for another kid (especially if they spend time with kids that are older then them). I think your use of the word responsible was more what I was going for. Poor choice of words on my part. Sorry.

I just think its irresponsible to expect a 3 year old to understand they need to keep that kind of secret. My three year old has NO concept of secrets, really. In a fun way, yes, but not enough to not blab all over about something. Last birthday party we went to we walked in the door and blurted out "Hey Ash, we got you a Barbie!". KWIM?

I don't really have a problem with people doing Santa or not doing Santa. To each their own.

Gotcha.

ryry1977

Yes, there will be a Santa.  I hope that he believes in Santa for a long time.  Would hate for him to loose the magic so early:(