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."

[FLAMING DEATH]

Yes, I agree.

And, to a point, I would agree that this probably wasn't the brightest thing that the teacher could have done, and had I been in the same situation, I would have probably told the kids to ask their parents.

I thank my stars that I teach 7th grade instead of 1st, so that I don't have to deal with this.

[woodyinscc]

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

I feel sorry for you. Nothing else needs to be said.

[zlala]

I thank my stars that I teach 7th grade instead of 1st, so that I don't have to deal with this.

And bless you for that!

[Iowegian]

The point is not whether anyone has lied, but is it right to in order to have fun? I can't remember lying to my children, but I probably did to protect them perhaps, but not for "fun's sake", but if I did it was wrong IMO.

[Junior_G]

There is nothing more valuable in raising children than love. And love does not include lying.

So the reason most parents let their children believe in Santa Claus isn't because they want their children to experience the same wonder that they did as children; rather, it's because they don't love their children. Thanks for clearing that up.
I'm going to call my parents up right now to express my new-found resentment.

[presidio9]

I don't understand why I have to say it, but there's a BIG difference between waiting until a child is mature enough to absorb information before revealing it to them, and making fools out of your kids and a hypocrite out of yourself by telling them a mythical figure is in fact, real.

Your problem is that you view six year olds as miniature adults. Small children spend a great deal of time fantisizing. It is part of the way they learn as their brains continue to develp outside the womb. Some of them carry on conversations with imaginary friends. There is nothing abnormal about this. And they rarely worry about looking like fools. At the age of six some of them still accidently wet their pants. No big deal. Change your pants and head back out to the playground.

[ntnychik]

I'm with you, Hodar. I figured out that Santa couldn't fit down the chimney, etc. and shared my findings with my parents, who ridiculed me. I persisted, and told them I didn't believe he was real, and asked them to confirm. They continued to laugh. The ridicule at my expense affected me deeply and did erode that absolute trust I had had in them. I got over it, OK, but learned to trust myself more than anyone else. That has served me in good stead. We were neutral about Santa and let the kids have their fun. We never lied to them. When they asked about him, we complimented them on their intelligence for figuring it out themselves. They had big smiles on their faces.

I don't see where this issue fits into the first grade curriculum. Would rather they learn reading and arithmetic. Teacher deserves all the public fuss she has created.

[luckystarmom]

I said he's figured it out, past tense. He pretty much figured it out at 7, but then we set up the camera and had the picture for him on Christmas morning. He could not figure out what was going on.

He didn't/doesn't know that we have a Santa Costume from my husband's company.

He still doesn't know how we did the picture. We've just let him figure it all out. He's a smart kid.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Yeah OK you think that telling our kids the truth about Santa is the same as telling them about fisting? Am I getting warm on your point? Is there one, that is a good point?

I was right the first time: you are drinking.

Push back chair. Stand up. Move away from monitor. Find grownup. Bring grownup back with you to minitor. Have grownup read posting to you. Ask politely for explanation.

[Iowegian]

Therefore: you can drop the ringing, self-aggrandizing pledgings to the notion of Absolute Truth anytime, now.

I'm not claiming moral superiority. See #144.

[presidio9]

I said he's figured it out, past tense. He pretty much figured it out at 7, but then we set up the camera and had the picture for him on Christmas morning. He could not figure out what was going on.

I know. I was just kidding about the log cabin thing. Where would you hide the presents?

[Iowegian]

I agree with you to let kids be kids and let them grow up at the proper pace. But the question is still, is it right to lie to have your fun and to let them have fun?

[presidio9]

Welcome abord M'am. Please tell the big guy I have been mostly nice this year.

[FlJoePa]

Um, I think you're nuts.

[Clemenza]

This is my kind of teacher.

DOWN WITH SANTA! PUT THE CHRIST BACK IN CHRISTMAS!!!

[FlJoePa]

Um, I think you're nuts too.

[Cagey]

Hahahahaha Perfect!

I'll add this little reminder to those who miss out on such a wonderful part of life by choice. Hollywood often got it right in it's golden years. One simple story said so much about human behavior.

[presidio9]

This is my kind of teacher.

Say it ain't so. Not you too.

[Iowegian]

Oh how clever, you signed up with a new account so you could do that. You take this Santa thing a little too seriously.