Did you lie to your kids at Christmas?

The Conservative Citizen Weblog ^ | 12/29/2004 | David M. Huntwork

[general_re]

Bitter, angry, and disillusioned children are properly prepared for adulthood, which is a long series of crushing disappointments.

[BigSkyFreeper]

In an economic downturn it's best to send the little ones to bed with a baseball bat, because the tooth fairy knocks the teeth out of their skulls.

[Tax-chick]

We've never concealed the fact that "Santa Claus" is one of the Knights of Columbus that we see at church every Sunday, but when the kids are 3-6 years old, they believe in "Santa" anyway. Whatever ...

[AVNevis]

So if your 4 year old asks where babies come from you will tell them the truth?

[BibChr]

I have never understand the "logic" that insistantly telling children a baldfaced lie is essential to childhood fun. It has never been so for my kids.

Dan
To Tell the Truth, Virginia...

[BibChr]

If he asks you, will you lie to him?

Is there perhaps a third option?

Dan

[CzarNicky]

at around six or seven I came to the realization that it defied the laws of physics for Santa to deliver all the presents in one night. Of course I never was really driven into the Santa Claus is real phenomenon either.

I don't have kids, probably never will, but if I did I'd probably do the same thing they did and not bring the issue up at all and see how long it takes them to figure it out.

[AVNevis]

What is the third option? Ignore it and let is friends tell him?

[flashbunny]

Did you lie to them and tell them christmas is the day Jesus was born???

[mtbopfuyn]

Hogwash! Neither I nor Mr. M ever needed therapy after learning about the "lie", but it seems Mr. Huntwork (now that's an appropriate name) does. One of the lil' M's found us out after sneeking a peek at the checkbook back in 2nd grade. There were no hysterics, no angst, no frantic call to Oprah or Dr. Phil. She was elated to know how much we loved her in wanting to make our Christmases as exciting as possible. Of course she immediately announced we had to be the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as well. The very next year, she insisted on me making an elf costume so she could accompany Santa, aka Mr. M, on his visits during the holidays. Oh my, yes, she's still spreading the lie even today to innocent unsuspecting toddlers and is having a grand time doing so.

[AnnaZ]

Did you lie to your kids at Christmas?

We don't bother... besides we find the story, and the Who and Why, of Jesus far more fascinating (and His gifts far more enduring).

[rocky88]

"Bitter, angry, and disillusioned children are properly prepared for adulthood, which is a long series of crushing disappointments."

Here here.

[Tax-chick]

Babies come from God :-).

[muawiyah]

Yes, but December 24 should be used to welcome the coming of the Day of the Dead, that period exactly half way between the last Sun and the first Sun (above the arctic cirlce, of course).

It does not help Christianity a bit when an older religion with even better Sumerian roots is denigrated.

[drjimmy]

What little extra fun they may have had as small children with such a story is usually far exceeded by the bitterness and anger that an older child feels when they discover the inevitable truth. It is often a harsh experience to discover that the magical Santa Claus and all the hype perpetrated in the most complete of conspiracies is nothing but a big, bold, naked lie. Even I was surprised at the deluge of stories of disillusioned, supremely disappointed, and frankly, pissed off children who suddenly realize those they trusted the most have misled them.

Perhaps your own experience of learning there was no Santa Claus was a "harsh" one, but don't try to sell us on there being a "deluge" of pissed off children. With four children of my own ranging in age from 10 to 18, I have come to know lots of kids over the years, and the number who have become bitter and angry upon learning there is no Santa is exactly zero. By wagging your finger in moral superiority over those who choose to indulge in the Santa Claus myth, you commit the sin of hubris.

[ShadowDancer]

ROTFL. You made my night with that one.

[AVNevis]

Yes, that's true, but that is also kind of lying because the kid then believes babies just show up one day after being sent by God.

But that's not my point. It is that it is OK to lie to your kids sometimes for a little fun. I for one was not crushed when I found out the truth about Santa Claus.

[HairOfTheDog]

Santa's not real? Who is this curmudgeon?

[general_re]

;^)