Does anyone else tell their kids that Santa is......... ~ 2009

[taylordvd]

DH and I decided before we had kids that we were going to upfront about the whole Santa thing right from the start. We have little kids - 2.5 & 4.5 and we tell them Santa isn't real. We say something like "Santa isn't real, but its fun to play pretend". Anyways, I was talking with other preschool moms and the topic of Santa came up and I told them that we tell our kids he's not real. One mom gave me a look like I was the worst mom in the world. My parents always told me Santa wasn't real and it never bothered me. So, does anyone else do this?

[KristiaMarie]

My mother never told us Santa was real. She told us that he represented Christmas spirit - good will and compassion toward others. I plan to do the same with my [future] kids. I am so grateful for the way she taught us about 'santa'. I never understood why parents lied to their children only to have them crushed when they realize santa isn't real. I don't get it. Good for you for being honest with your kids.

[CW&M Mom]

My parents told me when I was around 8. I'm not telling my kids yet...

[couponliving]

But Santa is real! Santa is the spirit of giving. Santa is the sparkle in their eyes. Santa is the spirit of helping others when times are tough! Gosh everyone here on HCW must be Santa!!!

[Castingbread]

We never told our girls that santa was real. We told them the story of Nicholas and how stockings and santa traditions were started. They were taught to not tell other children because most (including cousins) believed he was and that it was up to their parents if they wanted them to believe or not. Once a much older cousin asked my dd who was about 8 if she believed and she just said she wouldn't tell her if she believed or not. I personally can't stand lying so could not have brought myself to tell them anyways so was glad dh didn't want to. He grew up not believing and I was taught santa was real, yet I remember saying to my father when I was about 5 "Santa isn't real IS he?" He looked a little surprised and said, "no, but don't tell your sister." She was 3 years older than me--she still believes :) .

[sbp]

I did edit the title of this thread slightly, only because I'd hate for my son (or any other believer) to walk up to the computer and read it over their mom's shoulder.

My 2 boys (ages 5 & 7) do believe in Santa Claus - but they also know that the man dressed up in red at the mall isn't 'THE' Santa Claus.

They are my children so I get to make the decision on what is my truth about Santa Claus, and I also respect the decision made by other parents on how they handle it with their own children.

What I do have a problem with, is that the teacher's aide in the other 2nd grade classroom at school, told the entire class that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are not real. It was not her place to tell 20 children that are not her own what they should believe in, and she's darn lucky that she's not an aide in my son's class because I would be absolutely livid if she said such a thing to my child.

[SyLph211]

My children believe in Santa and will until otherwise. It is a part of childhood to believe in things. We all grow up and forget the magic and sparkle that once consumed us those wonderful mornings. I for one love CHRISTmas and still believe in Santa.

[foggierbard9]

My parents told us Santa was real, and never really made a point to saying he wasn't. We sort of stopped believing, though my brother (24 yrs old) still gets a santa present each year. We will tell our kids Santa is real, we are already explaining Santa to our 2 year old.

Santa is more than just the man in the red suit. He represents many many things that are good in life. For us growing up our parents didn't have lots of money, but we always got that one special gift from Santa, and it made Christmas magical.

[loaslaen]

DH and I decided before we had kids that we were going to upfront about the whole Santa thing right from the start. We have little kids - 2.5 & 4.5 and we tell them Santa isn't real. We say something like "Santa isn't real, but its fun to play pretend". Anyways, I was talking with other preschool moms and the topic of Santa came up and I told them that we tell our kids he's not real. One mom gave me a look like I was the worst mom in the world. My parents always told me Santa wasn't real and it never bothered me. So, does anyone else do this?

Yeah, we've never taught Santa or Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. Don't believe in raising kids up on lies and distrust. We try to teach things that uphold their faith.

[gingersunshine]

my girls always believed in santa, the easter bunny, tooth fairy, and all the other things associated with the holidays. it is part of the fun of being a kid! it is not about lies, pretending, or not trusting. it is simply part of the holiday fun.