We didn't have our kids believe in Santa; we explained the custom and then asked them to make sure they didn't say anything to their friends who still believed. I did like to take them to get their pictures taken with Santa yearly just to see how much they had grown through the years. Santa lives in people's hearts I do believe :)
My boys believed in Santa Claus. I felt it was harmless and I still believe in Santa. He is magical and he lives in our hearts. But, Darian was really upset when he learned that Santa wasn't real. He felt like we had lied to him!! So, I guess it could go both ways for parents!
Hi Paula - not having kids ... it happens when it happens, and reality sets in when it does ... I used to love sending my list up the chimney and seeing it burn - didn't make any difference .. just was a magical thought.
Our kids believed in Santa and I never told them different. Because the truth is as adults Santa 'lives' in the hearts. Even after they discovered from their peers that a flesh and blood Santa was not reality, I said Santa lived in my heart and you can be a Santa to anyone you choose. So I never - and still don't - give into 'no such thing as Santa."
It isn't harmful to believe. It added to the magic of the holiday for a child and as they mature and understand the difference between fact and fairy tale they make peace with the whole tradition, and remember with joy the fun and anticipation of the season. Not a bad thing.
I have several favorite shows - one is Bones. But at times I find the main female character, Brennen, a bit sad, missing out on one of the elements that separates us from the other living creatures on the earth - imagination!
Having seen my nieces and nephews in distress and my siblings lying and concocting elaborate schemes to keep their kids "believing," I decided when I had my son to tell him that Santa was NOT real. I carefully explained it all...and he STILL believed!
About Santa Claus . . I let Angel believe in Santa. But one summer day, when she was still young and believing, she came running to me and told me one of her playground friends said that Santa wasn't real, that it was the parents who bought all the gifts. She was not crying. She was very calm. I told her the truth and then shared my perspective. She listened intetly and when I was done, her face widened and her first words were, "The means YOU gave me the pound puppies! Oh thank you Mommy! And that means you gave me that pretty sweater. Oh thank you Mommy!" She continued naming each gift she could remember receiving from Santa and thanking me sncerely. I have always been deeply touched by how she reacted. The truth I told her was about the real Saint Nicholas and the explanation I gave her involved a lesson of faith and looking for concrete evidence. And then I told her finding out about Santa just meant she was ready to have faith in something bigger.
That is what happened with Danny. He came and told me that his friend had told him Santa wasn't real and asked for the truth. So I told him the truth. He immediately turned to Justin who was four years younger and had not been in the room during the discussion and said, "see I told you he wasn't real". We always kept Santa in our hearts though. We still do!
I love to hear what you might think. Leave me a comment. I guarantee though that I will delete your comment if you are just here to cause trouble. So tread lightly!
We didn't have our kids believe in Santa; we explained the custom and then asked them to make sure they didn't say anything to their friends who still believed. I did like to take them to get their pictures taken with Santa yearly just to see how much they had grown through the years. Santa lives in people's hearts I do believe :)
ReplyDeleteMy boys believed in Santa Claus. I felt it was harmless and I still believe in Santa. He is magical and he lives in our hearts. But, Darian was really upset when he learned that Santa wasn't real. He felt like we had lied to him!! So, I guess it could go both ways for parents!
DeleteHi Paula - not having kids ... it happens when it happens, and reality sets in when it does ... I used to love sending my list up the chimney and seeing it burn - didn't make any difference .. just was a magical thought.
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
I haven't heard of the custom of writing your list and then sending it up the chimney. Nice! I like that!!
DeleteOur kids believed in Santa and I never told them different. Because the truth is as adults Santa 'lives' in the hearts. Even after they discovered from their peers that a flesh and blood Santa was not reality, I said Santa lived in my heart and you can be a Santa to anyone you choose. So I never - and still don't - give into 'no such thing as Santa."
ReplyDeleteIt isn't harmful to believe. It added to the magic of the holiday for a child and as they mature and understand the difference between fact and fairy tale they make peace with the whole tradition, and remember with joy the fun and anticipation of the season. Not a bad thing.
I have several favorite shows - one is Bones. But at times I find the main female character, Brennen, a bit sad, missing out on one of the elements that separates us from the other living creatures on the earth - imagination!
That is how I feel about Santa!! It is magical and he lives in our hearts!!
DeleteI was 9 when my parents broke the news that santa wasn't a real body but that he was still magical.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son was nine when he found out. And then he promptly told his 5 year old brother!
DeleteNo kids of my own. I'm not sure when niece (who is 14) learned the truth. Or if eldest nephew (who turns 10 on the 26th) knows.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I figured it out on my own. Asked for confirmation and got it.
That is how things happened here too!!
DeleteHaving seen my nieces and nephews in distress and my siblings lying and concocting elaborate schemes to keep their kids "believing," I decided when I had my son to tell him that Santa was NOT real. I carefully explained it all...and he STILL believed!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good thing. I think all parents have to decide what they want to do. And all children have different reactions.
DeleteOlde Dame Penniwig I would love to visit you but I can't find your blog!! Help, please
DeleteHiya Paula! I know this blog. Here's the link: http://penniwigs.blogspot.com
DeleteThank you so much Gram!!
DeleteFor me, Santa is the embodiment of the spirit of Christmas in a secular celebration. Santa is real.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how it should be looked out. Thank you Kwiz!!!
DeleteAbout Santa Claus . . I let Angel believe in Santa. But one summer day, when she was still young and believing, she came running to me and told me one of her playground friends said that Santa wasn't real, that it was the parents who bought all the gifts. She was not crying. She was very calm. I told her the truth and then shared my perspective. She listened intetly and when I was done, her face widened and her first words were, "The means YOU gave me the pound puppies! Oh thank you Mommy! And that means you gave me that pretty sweater. Oh thank you Mommy!" She continued naming each gift she could remember receiving from Santa and thanking me sncerely. I have always been deeply touched by how she reacted. The truth I told her was about the real Saint Nicholas and the explanation I gave her involved a lesson of faith and looking for concrete evidence. And then I told her finding out about Santa just meant she was ready to have faith in something bigger.
ReplyDeleteThat is what happened with Danny. He came and told me that his friend had told him Santa wasn't real and asked for the truth. So I told him the truth. He immediately turned to Justin who was four years younger and had not been in the room during the discussion and said, "see I told you he wasn't real". We always kept Santa in our hearts though. We still do!
DeleteI still believe......
ReplyDeleteI do too, Wendy!
Delete