What's everyone's opinions on Santa Clause. Do you/will you tell LO he's real? Has anyone had any bad experiences with kids finding out he's not?
I'm curious because DH and I are trying to decide whether we will raise LO knowing he's not real while still celebrating the typical Santa traditions of stockings, Santa gifts, etc; or whether we will follow suit with the norm and tell him he 'is' real.
Re: For those who celebrate Christmas
...ok for real though, I didn't grow up believing in Santa. My mom was a PK and my grandparents were concerned that if they taught their kids about Santa Claus & found out he wasn't real, how would that affect their belief in God if they also can't see Him. My mom carried on this tradition with us. I don't feel jyped at all, we still visited Sants at the mall, had stockings, all the regular traditions, we just knew to give our gratitude to the right people. The "magic" of Christmas for us comes from the Christian meaning of the season. We will likely do the same with our kids.
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I like dessert first.
@katemw Im not sure I'm comfortable telling such a big lie to my kids; and I don't like building up the idea that the world is a fantastical place, and then taking it away from them. BUT I also don't want to deprive my son of the joy of Santa.
DH on the other hand grew up poor with immigrant parents and didn't get Santa at all; or presents for that matter. So he leans towards wanting a real Santa. My dad grew up with Santa and they are some of the fondest memories he has. My mother, grew up with all the Santa traditions, but my grandparents also let her know he wasn't real. she never felt deprived. My grandparents were careful to explain to her that it was important to respect other peoples traditions of believing in him an she never ruined it for other kids.
So, it's conflicting.
I'm glad you brought this up OP. I have been going back and forth on this since DD was born 2 years ago. This year she will surely understand so we need to decide what our families stance is on this very soon.
I also feel that the "lie" of Santa is not something i want to put my kids through. I know it's one of those little white lie situations but i prefer to do my best to always be honest with my children. I'm also not a fan of the whole "be good because Santa is watching" business. Lastly, i want my kids to value gifts. To know that we work hard to treat them to special presents and that these things are not just handed out.
I do understand the concern that non believers could ruin it for others and i would do my best to explain to my children why some do believe and that we are to respect others beliefs.
Good luck with your decision OP, and thanks for reminding me that DH and i need to figure this out for our own family very soon!
We really enjoy picking out local, national, and worldwide organizations to support at Christmas. Many times the kids get a real heart for one of these organizations and we add them to our regular year-round giving.
Jill (36) Wife to Joe (36) Mom to: Alyssa (forever 10) Jacob (10) Baby Due 12/31/13
@jillsandm we do this too; my mom and I always found a family to sponsor with gifts when I was little, and DH was one of the kids who was sponsored by those organizations. So we both do it together now and I'm sure we will involve LO too.
@emily6778 Yea it's a tough choice. It's interesting to me all the different experiences and opinions people have when it comes to it. It's not really. 'Just Santa"; but the while tooth fairy/Easter bunny thing. If it was just Santa I may not be as conflicted.
@roses65444(there are too many numbers) heck yea it was. Wth took you so long.
@ScarlettV
Our plan would be to keep up with most traditions and just leave the fictional characters out. There would still be Easter baskets and egg hunts, we just wouldn't say a bunny is responsible. There would still be money in exchange for teeth. Still have stockings for xmas. I don't feel like these holidays would be any less exciting without these characters involved.
I was deathly afraid of Santa,Easter Bunny and everyone else. I was always afraid they were going to see all I had and take it all away.
Roses where have you been hiding?