Teacher tells kids Santa is 'make-believe' (1st graders)

AP ^ | Thursday, December 4, 2003

[presidio9]

Sandra Jolly said her 6-year-old son's Christmas was spoiled when his teacher told the first-grade class Monday that "Santa Claus is make-believe."

"He had this sad, lost puppy dog look on his face. This unhappy, empty look," Jolly said. "He said his teacher informed the entire class that Santa is make-believe."

[Iowegian]

Actually I didn't see that post before but...
Yeah I get it, you think teachers are all evil.

[nothingnew]

A teacher?

Santa's going to bring you a bag of paragraphs.

FMCDH

[luckystarmom]

Well, my parents must be mental children because they still do Santa Clause for their grandkids.

I must be a mental child because I still like doing Santa for my children.

It's fun. They're kids, and it's my choice.

[sweetliberty]

That was NOT the teacher's place. Period!

[FLAMING DEATH]

No, because if a kid goes out and starts screwing around, that could have some real consequences, such as a pregnant teen or an STD.

The Santa myth, on the other hand, is perpetuated solely for the amusement of the parents.

[luckystarmom]

We took a picture of "Santa" to convince our 7 year old that there was Santa. He's 9 now and figured it out. He doesn't seem to devastated by it. He just now tells us how much everything costs when he puts it on his Christmas list.

[Iowegian]

And you're a Scrooge.

Another emotional outburst in place of a logical argument. But you're wrong, I love Christmas, in fact.

[Hodar]

Even a child is smart enough to know make believe/fantasy from a LIE, even if you aren't.

In which pre-school did you learn to debate? Calling someone stupid is perhaps the most childish, and immature counter to a discussion there is. Here's a little fact of life for you. A child knows NOTHING, other than what they are taught. A baby starts life out as a blank slate. They learn everything, as nature did not see fit to gift us with a plethora of instincts. Thus, a child knows only what they are taught. If they are taught that Santa is real, then to them Santa is every bit as real as Jesus. Perhaps even more so, because they get gifts from Santa; but never Jesus. They see Santa in the mall, and may even sit on his lap. Jesus never says 'Hi' or "Ho ho ho". Jesus isn't on TV.

So, when the child discovers that Santa is a big lie, what then? Is Jesus a lie too? If the parents can lie, and that's ok; then why is the child punished when they lie? The truth seldom causes problems like this.

[presidio9]

Me too. Parent's are ignorant if they expect anyone to help them cover up an ongoing, intentional falsehood so that they can have fun at their kid's expense.

And I suppose you had a frank talk with them about where babies come from when they were six, right? I'm glad I don't have kids in school with yours.

There is an age of reason. Six isn't quite it.

[FLAMING DEATH]

With a group of youngsters, that approach won't solve much, I don't think.

Kids that age usually aren't satisfied until they get an answer, especially if two or more disagree.

[Junior_G]

The anti-Santa folks on this thread remind me of the hysterical anti-spanking folks who think that parents who occasionally dole out a spanking ought to be jailed for child abuse. The same grandstanding; the same disproportionate reaction; and the same contempt for the vast majority of American parents.

[don-o]

We have never played the Santa Claus game with our boys, off my experience as a child. When I found out that there was no Santa, I was at first disappointed and sad, a little. But, the I was very angry with the adults who had lied to me.

When I became a father, the decision was made. I thought that when they find it is not true, well then, maybe the stuff Dad has told us about Jesus is not true either.

We still have great times around Christmas, concentrated on St Nicholas Day (12/6) and Advent lessons, and exchanging gifts. Plus anticipating the Feast of the Nativity, after the Nativity fast.

The truth is good enough. We find no need for imaginary tales.

[zlala]

I must be a mental child because I still like doing Santa for my children.

It's fun. They're kids, and it's my choice.

Amen. My youngest is 19. When all my kids are home for Christmas I still like to play Santa. Heck...I like Santa to visit me!

My children, from their birth, have been taught why we celebrate Christmas. But we also taught that Christmas isn't the only time to celebrate Jesus Christ's life. That's something we should do 24/7/365.

When the kids "found" out the truth about Santa, they enjoyed the concept and the spirit of giving that he represents.

[Hodar]

A smart, wise, thoughtful teacher would answer: You need to ask your parents that question. End of discussion. No matter how many times a child asks. AND it would be prudent for that teacher to call the parent to give a heads up about what may have prompted the question in the first place.

On the face of it, that is the best answer. The same answer should also be given to questions about Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, Allah and Buddah (et. al.).

[DLfromthedesert]

I'm with you until the last sentence.


May your children overcome your coldness to accept the spirituality of Santa, Christ, and Christmas, and to continue to re-create this love in their lives.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Actually I didn't see that post before but... Yeah I get it, you think teachers are all evil.

????? Obviously, you still haven't read the posting in question, as there is absolutely nothing whatsoever contained therein which would leave a normal, rational person -- of even middling reading comprehension abilities -- to such a pop-eyed conclusion as that one. Good heavens, are you drinking...?

Let's try again, shall we...?

In a related story: teacher Codner also informed several of her students that their beloved grandparents would someday die, possibly soon; explained to them, in graphic and meticulous detail, just what it is, precisely, that child molesters do to small children; and talked to them, matter-of-factly, about what "fisting" is, and how it's done.

All of the above are "true" things, too; and no more any first grade teacher's responsibility to break to a room of helpless, captive six-year-olds than it would be the "Santa" issue under discussion. NOT answering any six-year-old's questions on these topics, truthfully and fully, would be -- by your own posted standards -- "lying."

Your turn.

[presidio9]

Christmas is about Christ NOT a white bearded man in a red outfit named Santa.

Christmas is a Roman adaption of a pagan Holiday. According to the Bible and astronomers, Christ was most likely born in March. If you need special dates to reestablish your relationship with Christ, we welcome you to that practice. Some of us don't, and it is not for you to foist your beliefs on us. Thanks so much.

[T Minus Four]

Get a grip

[Howlin]

Oh, man......we now have 4 grandchildren under 3 and we are going full bore into the Christmas season.

Know anybody I can hire to come to the house? :-)

[luckystarmom]

I'm 41. I'm going to my folks this year to spend Christmas for the first time in 10 years. I'm really hoping Santa comes to visit me this year. I really love stocking stuffers!!!!