To Santa or Not to Santa?

Nicole - posted on 12/31/2009

We have always said that we give "Santa" money and the list so that our childern don't think that a magical man brings them anything they want. Our oldest child is almost 9 and she still believes. It makes Christmas special. My husband was not a Santa fan but he is all into it now and even leaves the kids notes from "Santa." I hope this helps. Good luck.

Tanya - posted on 12/20/2009

I understand where you are coming from, but I think the pros of doing santa, outweigh the cons. There is nothing more magical when you are a child than knowing Santa will come to visit on Christmas Eve. My oldest daughter is 5 now and she just loves Santa. She has never asked me if Santa is real. She just believes. So in that respect, I am not lying to her, just letting her enjoy her childhood. When she gets a little older and asks me if Santa is real, I'll tell her the truth. Kids grow up too fast now. I want my kids to enjoy their youth while they can.

Kyrsten - posted on 12/18/2009

I dont remember when i found out santa wasnt real, but that means i never got upset. In our family we had to "Believe" in santa if we wanted santa gifts so up untill i moved out of the house we "Believed" in santa. We also knew that on christmas we had to put baby Jesus in the manger before we could even think about opening presants. Therefore santa became the afterthought. Santa was real at some point yes its gotten more creative over the years. But children love to make believe, and thats what you are doing with your child not lieing or fibbing, and if your child is old enough to ask tell them dont lie. Teach them about traditions in different cultures and tell them in this culture this is what we do.

Tricia - posted on 12/18/2009

We're doing Santa with our son. However, I do remember the day I found out and then realized the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and St Nick too! Oh lordy was I upset. I like how Eva explained it to her son, we may use that when DS18mo is old enough to understand.

Nikita - posted on 12/15/2009

Well I heard that a long time ago their really was a man "Santa" that really did that so in my opinion i would and when the time comes that they figure it out its you explain to them that at one time it was a real person and eventually he had to retire and it was left up to us parents to take the part of Santa over.they shouldn't get upset over what i believe is the truth.

Chanelle - posted on 12/13/2009

I took my son to see Santa this year and last year and he cried both times. I believe that you should have the child see him first and get his response and then you decide whether or not to put him on the lap of the jolly one.

Emma - posted on 12/12/2009

I was always told that santa wasn't real and that's what I intend on telling my children because I don't like the idea of lying to them because I wouldn't like them to lie to me about something so trivial but if they like they can leave cookies out etc for fun but that's upto them.

Carrie - posted on 12/12/2009

We are totally doing the santa thing with our daughter (and any future children we have)!! The magic of it all is so exciting...even now that I'm a grown adult...I can't help but get giddy on Christmas Eve. I do not see this is lying one bit. It's a completely normal part of childhood. I don't even remember where or when I learned that Santa wasn't real but I know it didn't bother me. Millions of children are "lied" to by their parents about Santa, yet I'm sure they all managed to stay out of therapy over it.

I say enjoy this magical time when they are young! It is ultimately up to you and you should do what you feel most comfortable with but I honestly don't see the big issue here.

April - posted on 12/11/2009

My feeling is that if you don't do Santa, then you don't do the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny, etc. Which begs the question--what type of childhood do you want for your child. Their imagination is ripe now...let them enjoy it. Its a flight fancy, and if done right, it is not lying one i-ota. I am quite honest with my children (tell them the correct words for their private parts, etc.) but I never ever worried about those wonderful things of childhood...that is why I had children.

Anne-Marie - posted on 12/10/2009

I'm in the same situation....My partner was brought up knowing the truth about Santa!! whereas I had been brought up with the magic of believing and when i found out that he was not real I don't recall been hurt from the lies much so i was upset about the fact I was growing up..and was getting older. I still pretended for my younger siblings. my son is coming up 20 months and we are so undecided on what to do..I know its classed as lying and I can see where my partner is coming from.. still think Reuben is to young to understand but how do we put it across without him spoiling it for other children at nursery and school when he starts...we are getting christened In January together so i may use the God aspect on it...spirit of Santa...still even though its trivial its very Important we can make a decision because I believe it affects others too..i'e bullying and friends and family and feeling left out...what to do?????????

Rebecca - posted on 11/25/2009

I agree with Emma, Santa is such a big part of Christmas as a child and once all that stops, the magic goes. I can't believe there are people not wanting to do the Santa thing actually. Santa coming of Christmas Eve was such a huge thing for us to look forward to as kids, there is no way I would deprive my children of believing in that joy for as long as possible! Being an adult is boring, let your kids have fun while they're kids I reckon :)

Emma - posted on 11/25/2009

I remeber that santa was a big deal for me as a child and still is. Its all about the magic of Christmas, once you stop the cookies and carrots etc etc you loose the magic. I want to keep it alive for my children for as long as possible!!

Sheila - posted on 11/12/2009

My parents never did the Santa thing. They didn't want to lie to me and my brothers. I do not feel like I missed out on anything either...I think I would have been mad if I knew my parents lied. So I am not going to do the Santa thing. But I am going to do my best to make sure that my kids do not ruin it for the kids who do believe in santa.

Samantha - posted on 11/11/2009

Ashleigh I think that you (in my opinion) have found a great way to go about "santa". I think that's what I am going to do. of course at my kids age they really don't know what's going on. but when they are old enough to start asking questions that's a good way to go about it.

Ashleigh - posted on 11/10/2009

We are doing I guess what you can say is a "partial" Santa. I want to do all the fun stuff with the cookies etc. but my hubby doesn't believe in it, so what we are going to do is tell the kids that Santa isn't real, but we can still the stuff (if they want to) for fun! I know I didn't like it when I was little and found out that he wasn't real. I just don't feel comfortable lying to my children over something so trivial.

Angela - posted on 11/09/2009

We've always done the santa thing. It's a family tradition. I don't remember anyone ever being offended by it. I think people are a little too touchy these days. I mean, if your child asks you, and you're not comfortable lying, tell them the truth. What child is going to be upset that their parents did what the majority of parents in the US do? Besides, they get more presents. I can understand not wanting to lie, but aren't your kids going to feel left out when everyone else gets to have the fun of santa, the easter bunny, the tooth fairy, etc?

Eva - posted on 11/09/2009

I have three boys (10, 1 1/2 and 2 months) and we did the Santa thing with the oldest and plan on it with the other two. My oldest just found out last year that we were Santa Claus. He asked us why we fibbed to him and I explained it this way - Santa lives in everyone's heart and when we "play" Santa we are doing it in his spirit - my son understood this and associated it with having God's spirit in you and doing good for others and even is excited about introducing his little brothers to this "gift" as he calls it.
I hope that this helps

Alissa - posted on 11/07/2009

Glad we aren't the only ones who don't know what to do!

Hayley - posted on 11/07/2009

Me and my husband are trying to figure this out too. I really don't want to lie. Which it is lying, but my husband loved putting out cookies. I wish I could help you but I don't know either.