Parents Forum

Tom · 03-19-2007, 04:14 PM

What do you think about teachning kids about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the like?

On one hand I think there is a certain "magic" that would be lost if you don't allow you kids to believe in such things. On the other hand I think childhood is a time when brains are struggling to make associations and gather information on how the world works -- and that introducing information that contradicts reality might make that job more difficult.

mamab · 03-20-2007, 12:41 PM

This is one thing that we've struggled with, well me more than my husband. I don't like lying to them, and that's basically what you're doing when you tell them about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. When they find out that these "people" aren't real, will they have problems believing other things you say? I'm not sure I want to take that chance.

What I've told my kids in regard to Santa is that he is based on a real person, and then give them the story of St. Nicholas, but that Christmas isn't about St. Nick but about the birth of Jesus. We've always centered our focus around Easter on the Risen Christ, not the Easter Bunny. The only thing we've "fudged" on was the Tooth Fairy. Our first was told about the Tooth Fairy, but now we just give them the money instead when they lose a tooth.

Hope that helps.

Tom · 03-20-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamab

This is one thing that we've struggled with, well me more than my husband. I don't like lying to them, and that's basically what you're doing when you tell them about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. When they find out that these "people" aren't real, will they have problems believing other things you say? I'm not sure I want to take that chance.

What I've told my kids in regard to Santa is that he is based on a real person, and then give them the story of St. Nicholas, but that Christmas isn't about St. Nick but about the birth of Jesus. We've always centered our focus around Easter on the Risen Christ, not the Easter Bunny. The only thing we've "fudged" on was the Tooth Fairy. Our first was told about the Tooth Fairy, but now we just give them the money instead when they lose a tooth.

Hope that helps.

It does - thanks. Right now I'm leaning heavily towards being honest about this with my future child from the get-go. When I posted this I figured I assumed I was going to be in a small minority feeling this way. But seems a few people have voted that way ... and with your response I'm feeling more "sane" in my thinking.

happy2bg33k · 03-21-2007, 08:42 AM

This one is really tricky in our house. My kids celebrate Jewish holidays in my home so they never learned about Santa and the Easter Bunny. In the past few years my ex has started celebrating these holidays in his home and it has been very confusing for the kids. My olders knows enough to kind of play along but the little one doesn't understand at all. I, too, am at a loss how to proceed. The tooth fairy exists in our house though!

kaismom · 04-09-2007, 08:52 PM

I support imaginary play, and creativity--- and well Santa the fairies, the tooth fairy, and the easter bunny is all a part of that. My son is 5, soon to be 6 and there will be a natural progression to knowing they arent real. In the meantime I don't think there is anything wrong with extending a bit of this childhood wonder for a spell. I know a mom who told her daughters simply becuase she didint want Santa getting all the credit.

Kaytee · 04-09-2007, 09:11 PM

I agree with Kaismom, its part of childhood. I was told about Santa and am just fine. I don't even really remember when I discovered he was not real. I do believe that when your child comes to you questioning them, then I would sugest telling the truth. Believe me there are plenty of things children will say one day to their therapist about how cruel we were, I don't think the Easter bunny is one of them

Tom · 04-12-2007, 09:34 AM

I definitely agree with supporting imagination and also with Kaytee in that I don't think this is cruel. I guess my whole concern is that during this time when I think children's minds are struggling to figure out their environment - make connections and figure out how the world works, etc. -- that "misinformation" particularly with super-natural elements might confuse them in this regard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaismom

I know a mom who told her daughters simply becuase she didint want Santa getting all the credit.

This is pretty hilarious.

Kaytee · 04-12-2007, 10:32 AM

imagination is a big part of childhood as well, without it we would have nothing. In my opinion being able to have imagination play, including Easter bunnies and Santa also allows a child to build a spiritual background. Santa as a big fat guy that goes down the chimney to bring boys and girls toys and then learning he's not really a person but a mindset, a joy if you will, the spirit of Christmas (not the meaning) leads to bigger things like believing in God (in what ever form you teach your child). God is not a physical person but a spirit of things, he is present in physical form through people, just like Santa.

Wow did that make any sence at all? lol

Tom · 04-12-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaytee

Wow did that make any sence at all? lol

Absolutely. Good points. My mind has been opened a bit which was my goal in asking the question. Luckily I have time to continue to think this over before I need to make any decisions.

Kaytee · 04-12-2007, 11:39 AM

You have to do whats right for you, but at the same time for those who say that they absolutley will not tell their kids about Santa, what happens when they go to school, are they going to ruin it for the otehrs? I hope not, childhood is so short already, lets leave the good stuff still in it.

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