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."

[trussell]

It's like; WOW, CONSIDER THE CONCEPT!!

[SerpentDove]

I love that kind of thing!

[Sam Cree]

"Everyone has their own special family traditions, and I think there are some pretty intolerant types posting to this thread."

Most families have fun with Santa Claus and the gift giving, which, in time, also teaches the kids genorosity. It makes for a merry holiday, in truth, that transcends many different layers of culture. IMO, the whole Santa-gift thing adds to the impact of the religious event rather than detracting from it, as we often hear.

Yes, I am absolutely stunned and appalled at some of the posters on this thread referring to parents as liars, mental children, etc, because they participate in a fun and loving tradition.

Glad your twins are fine, it's a touching story.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Wow this thread is up over 600 posts...I wish I could read them all...but it is reassuring to know so many FReepers keep the spirit of Christmas in the hearts and homes. Its sad reading some of the replies...maybe we can chalk them up to spoilt eggnog consumption.

Merry Christmas!!!

[trussell]

Both of my children have seen actual proof of the existence of Jesus. They have had traumatic things happen to them.

If I choose to tell them later that Santa is not a flesh and blood person, then I will make sure they understand that Santa represents the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of giving and caring for others.

[trussell]

Unfortunately, homeschooling is not an option for me. I am a single mother with 2 children. I have to work.

[trussell]

I have never seen that movie. Would you recommend it as a good movie? Is it good for all ages? Can I rent it on video?

[BSunday]

The Puritans did not even celebrate Christmas.

And we all know what a bunch of fun loving, carefree, joyful and tolerant people THEY were, don't we ?

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Were any of you ever in Jr. High when your mother got pregnant. The shock and awe was a hundred times worse than finding out there wasn't a Santa. I was emabarrased until I realized other kids had brothers and sisters too. (Smile)

[BSunday]

Both of my children have seen actual proof of the existence of Jesus.

As a Christian, I would ask you to clarify that statement because on the face of it, it flies in the face of biblical teaching. And I don't want to unjustly think of anyone in those terms.

[RightWhale]

I'll take that as a "yes", you are a moral relativist.

Can't name even one?

[bootless]

:-) So did they. Especially since they had to be up ethere flying away from their families. I was always warmed by the airlines' Christmas traditions! (btw, Dispath = Dispatch)

[Iowegian]

Both of my children have seen actual proof of the existence of Jesus. They have had traumatic things happen to them.

I'm sorry to hear that, but faith is not real until it is tested and everybody gets tested in some manner.

If I choose to tell them later that Santa is not a flesh and blood person, then I will make sure they understand that Santa represents the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of giving and caring for others.

We had fun with Santa and all that, but the kids always knew it was just pretend, they knew the truth. It's great to have a good balance of fun along with the children understanding the truth and real beauty of Christmas. That's what I'm talkin' about.

God bless you and Merry Christmas.

[Iowegian]

And yes, you are right prayer does work.

[Iowegian]

If I hit my hand with a hammer, it will hurt. True.

Are you stupid or just obtuse?

[trussell]

My children suffered by being abducted. They were put through hell by their father. They were told they would never see me or their grandparents again. They were injured, underfed, and treated in the most cruel manner possible. My daughter prayed, and prayed, and prayed-daily. Her prayers were answered, and because of that she will never doubt the existence of Jesus.

[SerpentDove]

(Directed at no particular naysayer)...

Suppose you threw a birthday party for your kid and paid a magician to come do some tricks for the kiddies.

Then some wiseguy, right after the show, gets up in front of all the kids and ruins it by explaining how each trick was done.

Would it aggravate you, or would you applaud the guy for being a "beacon of truth" and exposing the "lies and deception" the children were being exposed to?

[trussell]

God Bless you too. Merry Christmas, and happy New Year.

[Iowegian]

As a christian, does it bother you at all that they have attempted to make Santa into a god? They even give him god-like attributes. (He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you've been bad or good, etc.)

[MPJackal]

"So, instead of telling the boy the true story of Christmas; his parents instead decided to abuse the trust and love of their son by telling him a lie. They told that lie over and over again, getting their child to not only believe the lie; but to never even question the honesty of the one group of people he should trust in his life".

Did somebody get a lump of coal one Christmas?