This may spark some serious debate out there. It has in our family, for sure. Cody and I have very different views about what to tell our kids about Santa Claus. We've had the same discussion over and over, even before we had any kids, but we never have come to an agreement of any kind. The main problem is that there is not any way to really compromise since our views are opposite and mutually exclusive. Cody thinks we should tell the kids Santa is real, that he comes and gives presents, the whole shebang. If they ask if Santa is real, our answer would be "Yes! Of course he's real." My opinion is that we can "play and pretend" with our kids that Santa is real, but be very open about the fact that he is not actually a real person that comes to our house or brings gifts, etc. If they were to ask if he is real, I would want to say, "He is a pretend person that we have fun talking about and pretending about." Cody is so afraid that our kids would become "ruiners." He claims "ruiners" ruin things for all the other kids by blurting out Santa is not real at every chance they get. I am not too concerned about that. Other kids will believe what they want to believe. So far, I've been playing along about Santa with Ava and Nate. They are so young, they don't really understand it or ask any questions. I do all the things like talk about Santa bringing gifts, and tell Ava she can get on his lap and tell him what she wants for Christmas. We'll leave out a treat for him and Rudolph Christmas Eve. I think it's fun, too. But, I just can't see myself ever asserting to my kids that he is absolutely real when I know it's just pretend.
On a side note: Ava and I had a funny conversation in the car yesterday. She really wanted to get Sonic after school, but I said no. She kept saying over and over how she wanted some tater tots. Finally, I told her maybe she should tell Santa she wants tater tots for Christmas. She thought about it and replied, "I don't think they make tater tots at the North Pole." I told her that Santa could get tater tots somewhere. She said, "Maybe he can stop at Sonic and get tater tots...but he doesn't have a car!" Ever since then, she's been saying she plans to ask Santa for tater tots, and we happen to be going to Cody's work party tonight where there will be a Santa. I wonder if he's ever heard that particular request or not. Somehow I doubt it. He's in for a big surprise tonight when Ava climbs up to tell him her wish list.
3 comments:
Oh, Becky! Well, I will be telling my kids that I believe in Santa because I want them to have the same magic I had when I was a kid. And from personal experience, I distinctly remember when I found out about Santa and I was disappointed that the magic was gone but not once did I think that my parents had lied to me. I'm so glad they let me experience the fun of wholeheartedly believing in Santa. I could go on, but that's my two cents in a nutshell.
I agree with Rachel. When I found out that Santa was actually my Dad, I was surprised, but not upset that my parents had lied to me. And, by the way, I found out from my friend in Kindergarten, who was a "ruiner"! :) However, when my nephew found out that Santa wasn't real, it really upset him. He's a pretty sensitive little guy & he took it pretty hard. But, it has always been a rule in the Donnell house that if you want your stocking filled & presents under the tree, then you absolutely must believe in Santa. No questions!
I really haven't thought that far ahead to when the kids start asking if he is real. Right now, they believe he is & are enjoying the magical experience that Rachel mentioned.
I am like Rachel. Santa was a magical thing to me growing up. My parents even went as far as telling us that the red lights of planes in the sky were Santa and his sleigh, so we needed to go to bed. It gave me such great joy to believe in Santa. I was disappointed when I found out that it was my parents beacause I thought that it was so much better thinking Santa was real. I never thought about the fact that my parents had lied to me though. I knew it was all for fun. I went on and pretended that I believed in Santa for a really long time though so that my little brother would still believe. I love the memories and expectation of Santa that we had growing up. I can't wait to see the light in Caleb's eye at this time of the year when he gets a little older.
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