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."

[Howlin]

You know what, if I am not mistaken, Alan Keyes said almost those exact same things to a classroom full of children somewhere up on the Northeast! I am DEAD serious.

[zlala]

Yanno Hodar, I think you're missin the bigger pix here. Regardless of what a parent tells a child about Santa,the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy, it's NOT the place of a 1st grade teacher to say anything about anything. Teachers (some) need to learn to keep their liberal, life isn't what your parents say it is, mouth shut!

In this country it's accepted that young children (and a 1st grader is young - think your granddaughter's age) are told and believe in Santa. Most of us lived through the revelation at a later point in life that these things aren't real.

You know in my family that "Santa" still brings things to those that 'know' the truth. However...this year may have to be different for one non-believer! ;-I

[Iowegian]

OK that should have said: I'll take that as a "Yes" from you. Thanks.

[FLAMING DEATH]

"So all you black-and-white do-gooders who think the fable of Santa Claus is worthless rubbish, may your children grow up to be as cynical, cold, and spiritually dead as yourselves."

I. E. - If you don't believe in Santa, you are cynical, cold, and spiritually dead.


You claim that Santa inspires people to consider such intangibles as "love, charity, honesty, giving, and humility", and you end your post with this phrase. Worked like a charm, didn't it? ;)

[jokar]

"Just so they can have their own fun by trying to relive their childhood through their kids. In reality these parents are still mental children."

And you've been published in what august psychological journal?

[Junior_G]

I don't believe this teacher picked an argument, I think she ended up faciliatating a rational discussion amongst children

Yes, but her "facilitation" was obviously intended to direct the kids towards a certain conclusion. She probably knew that if she ruined the Santa myth for them outright, she'd get a slap on the wrist so tried to go about it in a more underhanded fashion. I had a similar experience in high school with a substitute chemistry teacher that was an athiest. He was trying to convince the class that science and religion don't mix, without telling us outright that religion was a sham. He told the class that he believed there was an invisible man living in the American flag on the wall and challenged the class to prove him wrong. Though he never explicitly stated his belief that Christianity is bogus, his meaning was clear and our teacher made sure he never subbed for her again.

[Hodar]

So, if YOU lie, that's ok. But if your kid lies to you, he is punished. So, what else do you lie to your kids about? I'm not talking about sidestepping (like birds and the bees when they are too young). I'm talking about a bold-faced, trust me because I'm your parent, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm betraying your trust, lie. And if your child calls you a 'liar' to your face, how badly do you beat him?

It looks pretty black and white to me. Either you lie to your child, or you do not. I assume you expect them to trust you, and to come to you with their problems. Trust is earned, and honesty is generally a good way to earn trust.

[Iowegian]

I know just enough about it to be dangerous, jokar. But my hourly rates are low.

[Howlin]

A big dang bump to that post!

[Amelia]

You know in my family that "Santa" still brings things to those that 'know' the truth.

That's the way it works at my house too...the "baby" is in high school, and I'm pretty sure he still believes. ;-)

[ChadsDad]

are you for real Clark?

[Hodar]

So, a 'lie' is marginalized because the parents find it fun? Either you tell the truth, or you do not. How do you expect a child to consistently tell you the truth, when the parents conspire and plot a lie?

[SpaceBar]

Your freepnick speaks volumes.

[Orangedog]

I filled my daughter in on the whole "Santa" thing just before she started kindergarten. Remember what happened to the kids at school who still believed in Santa by the time they got to grade school? It wasn't pretty.

[nothingnew]

Scroogegrinch! What's wrong with Santa Claus for a 6 year old?...Albeit, the true meaning of Christmas must be taught, but come on...How many kids think that Harry Potter is real?

Perhaps the teacher should have continued after the discussion, and taught the 6 year old how to put a condom on a banana?

Let kids be kids for awhile...most of us grew up and realized the truth without some educrat spoiling it for us at age six.

Sheesh.

FMCDH

[Junior_G]

I can't believe the number of scarred people on this forum that actually see malice in parents' desire to give their children a few magical years of the same belief in Santa Claus that they enjoyed themselves as children. What kind of a freakazoid actually harbors resentment toward their parents for trying to make them excited about Santa Claus?

Oh, I forgot---- "A lie is a lie and how dare you lie to your children." What self-righteous posturing.

[Mark was here]

We (my siblings) are in our 40's and we still get a present from Santa Christmas morning, funny how Santa has allways had the same handwriting as mom...

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

But my hourly rates are low.

Just what are your rates, exactly? Would they cover your responding to relevant points raised in previous postings (e.g., #57)? That just might be worth my ponying up the nickel.

[k2blader]

The teacher's statement is correct. But telling children things like "Santa isn't real" is best left to parents. At least no one's suing.

Now if she had said "God isn't real"...

[woodyinscc]

There's quite a contingent of Freepers that believe it's a good thing to lie to their children too. Just so they can have their own fun by trying to relive their childhood through their kids. In reality these parents are still mental children.

You are kidding, right?

A lie is an untruth or falsehood, with intent to do harm, or to cover ones own misdeeds. It is a myth not a lie, and one passed down through generations of adults. I confess, it gave me great joy to see the anticipation and happiness on the faces of my children, while waiting for Santa to come.

You really need to loosen up.