Santa Clause for kids Rant

[tntrex]

Best thing now is tell the kid the truth BUT when its christmas time make sure you get the BEST gift for her and put "from santa" on it and a smiley face. She will understand most likely and think.

 

[itzkwik]

I know you're just ranting and that you weren't really asking for advice... but I suggest you really consider whether this is the best approach.

Yep, it really was a wretched thing for your ex to do, but the fact is... the truth is on her side.

At this point, if you continue trying to insist that Santa is real, when she does find out the truth -which she will - you're going to be the parent who "lied" to her, and the ex is going to be the one who told her the truth.

I'd suggest you take a page from "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," and come clean with your daughter. Tell her that Santa embodies the spirit of the holiday and you just wanted her to experience that. Or... ya know... something.

I was forced to do that last night and I explained to her that all parents do this because it is part of christmas and we want them to enjoy it as long as possible and also explained who has been playing Santa and my wife and I did not have the intentions of lying,it was to extend her childhood as long as possible,a9 year old child shouldnt have to deal with this kind of B.S. From her so called mother

 

[ldp4570]

My two now know who Santa is, and understand. A little history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

I went to these every time I was stationed in Germany, great fun!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market

 

[ewheeley]

That sounds very similar to my dad's ex-wife. She moved around constantly with their two kids, always trying to keep us from being able to visit. I hate to say it, but she got some genetic disease and died, and things have been better ever since. I finally get to be family with my half brother and sister.

 

[SoonerDVM]

Well... now that the issue is settled with the OP, I'll say this: As a child, I was really upset when I learned the truth about Santa... but I was upset with my parents. I felt foolish, I felt like they'd been mocking me, and it did impact my trust.

When my child was growing up, I never tried to make him believe there was a real Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy. They were treated as fun and colorful characters just like Spiderman or Frosty the Snowman. I needed him to know I wouldn't lie to him.

 

[Danny Tanner]

Well... now that the issue is settled with the OP, I'll say this: As a child, I was really upset when I learned the truth about Santa... but I was upset with my parents. I felt foolish, I felt like they'd been mocking me, and it did impact my trust.

When my child was growing up, I never tried to make him believe there was a real Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy. They were treated as fun and colorful characters just like Spiderman or Frosty the Snowman. I needed him to know I wouldn't lie to him.

I think that depends on the child. My lady holds the same attitude, she doesn't want the little one to have trust issues because of the whole Santa Claus thing.

I believed in Santa as a kid and my parents played along. When I found out the truth I remember accepting it as a fun ride, and questioning the trust in my parents was never a thought I even entertained. Not sure why some kids treat it like I do and some don't, but if I were to go back and live a different childhood with different memories, I wouldn't do it. I loved the innocence and the joy of believing in Santa.

 

[338Shooter]

I figured out there was no Santa at an early age, but I still believed in Santa. I know it sounds funny, but just because you know something isn't real doesn't mean you can't take yourself out of reality and enjoy a fantasy world from time to time. If I want to surprise someone with a gift for Christmas, I still mark it from Santa. Never felt betrayed by my parents for anything I was lead to believe. All except eating hominy because batman ate it. That one left a bad taste in my mouth....literally.

 

[Bootleggn]

Santa isn't real?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks for ruining my Christmas!

 

[Istandalone]

Santa is that little part of you that makes you want to give more this time of year.

Santa is a historical figure and believing he still exists is part of being a kid, even at my age.

 

[SoonerDVM]

I think that depends on the child. My lady holds the same attitude, she doesn't want the little one to have trust issues because of the whole Santa Claus thing.

I believed in Santa as a kid and my parents played along. When I found out the truth I remember accepting it as a fun ride, and questioning the trust in my parents was never a thought I even entertained. Not sure why some kids treat it like I do and some don't, but if I were to go back and live a different childhood with different memories, I wouldn't do it. I loved the innocence and the joy of believing in Santa.

I suspect it mostly has to do with how the parents handle it once the truth is learned. In my case, it was a negative experience and I didn't want that for my kid. I am willing to concede that it doesn't have to be negative for everyone.