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    Should children be encouraged to believe in Santa, The Easter Bunny, etc?

    I feel a little criticism from my daughter for not leading her to believe in these fairy tales. She is going to stress them with her children. I didn’t stress Santa because it seemed like a lie. I didn’t say there was no Santa, I just didn’t play him up.


    My parents did the same with me. However, on Christmas eve I hearding the prancing and pawing of each little hoof on our roof. I was a Santa believer despite them.

    +3  Views: 1432 Answers: 9 Posted: 11 years ago
    itsmee

    PS My daughter got this idea from seeing the movie, The Guardians. (good kids’ movie - I haven’t seen it.

    9 Answers

    These old customs have very deep meanings other than we celebrate today. Too bad we have lost these ways. Find literature on them to learn their deeper meanings. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    itsmee

    Thank you for this. I don’t think you are speaking of a religious meaning and I’m very curious.

    I can't see the harm in it. We encourage it with our grandkids,As we did with our 2 girls & they never grew up with any illusions. There has been a lot of debate about whether Santa is a Christian thing or a Pagan thing or whatever. The bottom line to me is,It's a GOOD thing because it creates so much joy in little kids.

    bustieone

    I agree, why dissect it? It is a magical thing, and doesn't seem to harm or scar any kid that I have ever heard of!

    What do you mean "FAIRY TALES"?

    itsmee

    uh, hmmmm, well ROMOS, it goes like this -- Woops the toast is burning!

    I told my son before his friends at school could that there was no Santa, it was the parents after all. He thought about it a while and finally said, "I suppose there is no Easter Bunny either?".....

    itsmee

    ...and what ‘bout that toof fairy?
    jhharlan

    He never really bought the Tooth Fairy story. Come to think of it, he was always amazed to find Santa had really come to visit him.

    Hey itsmee, the town where I used to live had a Christmas parade- and both Santa and the Easter Bunny road on top of the hook 'n ladder.  So, I know for sure that they are real ;).....Kids eventually figure it out I don't see the harm in it.  My 18 yr old niece just discovered that I was the Santa that brought her the hamster one year ;)

    The only fight that my son ever got in was to defend the honor of Santa.  He was about 9 years old.  Some kid told him there was no Santa, he argued the point and it got a little physical.  We did not tell him otherwise, but said that he could believe what he wanted.  I think he did for 1 or 2 more years.  He loves all the magic that I made for he and his sis, and plans on doing same with his children!  It is not to say that they do not understand the "reason of the season", they acknowledge the religion, but had fun with Santa!  So there can be both, and why not let kids have some innocent fun?

    Did it really effect any of us, of course not, all children should be encouraged to develop their imagination, including make believe, St. Nicholas did actually exist, like all folk law the events become exaggerated, unfortunately we out grow the innocence, and become in some cases cynical Adults --- for my grand children sake i believe in these marvalous characters, as long as needed.

    Deleted User

    It effected my sister when she found out Santa wasn't real she ruined all her dolls lol
    I think it's funny that throughout our lives we expect our children to trust us yet we start their lives off with lies like the Easter bunny, santa and the tooth fairy.
    I have a very good friend whom told her young son from the day he was born she told him, I'm Santa , I'm the Easter bunny, her theory was nobody was taking credit for buy her children when she worked so hard to make these things happen for him.

    We tell our children trust me lol, how can we stay that ? The kids in the dentist chair in tears and we say trust me it won't hurt, when my mum said that I use to think yeah but for 10 years you tried to convince me Santa existed lol..

    I think sadly all it does is puts extra pressure on the parents and if you are not able to provide the things children want it causes a lot stress and pressure.. Would that be the same if we didn't have the fantasy or these made up people?
    I look at children like Jehovah witnesses and it's sad that they miss out on christmas and birthdays because of beliefs. How can anyone look at a young child and not want to give them a little gift?

    It's sad that's these parts of the year have become so commercialised that the true meaning behind these days are lost in the big sales..

    It has been reported that an old man ,with a grey silvery hair and beard has been seen luking around chimmeys,and childrens bedrooms,



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