(Picture above is Jacob and Aiden 2003.)
"What appears to be a childhood fantasy is actually an out dated concept that uses lies, threats, and the promise of rewards to control children."
Now that Jacob is 5 he is asking more questions about Santa Claus. "Is Santa Claus real? How can he make it to all the houses in one night? We don't have a chimney so how can Santa come to my house? How can he fit down the chimney? Santa came to Grandma's house during his busy season. Do reindeer really fly?
I hate the out right questions, I hate to lie to him to keep the myth alive just a little longer. Call me Scrooge but I would be fine with no lies. We would still celebrate Christmas, we would still buy gifts but I would not have to make up lie/fantasy to my children. I heard of a Santa Game, I got this quote of the internet,
(picture is 2004 Polar Express Ride)
"Children are excellent at pretend games and enjoy them immensely. The Santa game is just pretend too but the difference is that all the players know it is a game. Adults can explain to children that not all families play the game or that some children don't know it is a game. This information explains why Santa doesn't come to all families or why some children think Santa is real. It also clears up why some children don't get what they want from Santa even when they have been "good".
"Then there is the question about the Angel Tree. Why doesn't Santa take them presents? Not that Jacob doesn't want to give to others but it does bring up suspicion in the whole Santa thing.
Then Jacob will go as far as to tell me that he has drawn a picture of a Robot that he wants the elf's to make for him for Christmas. So my lies are working.
Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, how much fantasy do our children really need. Is the love of fantasy worth it or has it gone to far. I know the shops and malls don't want parents to not believe in Santa and they say that most children know by the age of 8. So that means that it just continues anyway so why am I lying to my son now.
Is this how we need to celebrate the birth of Christ. I know that it is a good thing, I love the season, giving, family, friends, and I love the look on my kids faces. I enjoyed spending Christmas day with them last year, we played all day together. I am not trying to be a scrooge, just hate the lie part, maybe just maybe,
I need to believe in the Magic a little more...
7 comments:
How Old were you when you found out???? What did you think???
I had to tell Ellie this year. Mostly because she has the spirit of disernment and can tell when we aren't telling the truth. Which is a good thing. Anyway I just explained that Santa Clause died a while back which is what my Mom told me and he lives in the spirit of Christmas. Older kids, over 8 get the spirit of Christmas thing and aren't to tell the younger ones until the are ready to understand. She was sad for a while, but getting to play secret Santa for this family made it better and she also gets to get back up after the little ones have gone to bed and help put out Christmas this year. That was they most fun for me after I learned the truth. I had just turned 12.
the lying is sad, but just keep playing the game Jen. It is all worth it, I think.
It is a pretty crumby way to celebrate Christ's birth really, but we still do it. I guess we just put the emphasis on Christ instead of Santa
I was 10!
I love that picture of Jacob and baby Aiden by the tree! Love it.
I have no idea how old I was, around 6 or 7. I just flat out asked my mom and she actually told me the truth. I also asked her about the easter bunny and the tooth fairy the same time, I remember that moment like it was yesterday! I had a hard time with the tooth fairy because I swear that I saw her one night--she is a skinny black lady (which is funny, cause I don't think I had seen an actual black person in real life yet) with a pink ballerina outfit, tutu and all, with her hair pulled back in a bun! That's what I saw!
Anyway, the Christmas/Santa thing can be hard-but you can justify the lying with the fact that most parents have to lie about where babies technically come from and all that stuff!
Tori, my kids know where babies come from, Heaven. Or did we tell them out of my belly button. No lies there!!!!
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