Should parents tell their kids Santa Claus doesn't exist?

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Should parents tell their kids Santa Claus doesn't exist?

by Fef Posted December 23, 2008 21:02:31

278 answers
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+48 raves

As a parent, I feel mixed about telling young kids the truth about Santa Claus and other mythical figures that capture their imagination (Santa Claus, tooth fairy, Barney, Mickey Mouse...). Will it hurt them to tell the truth or continue the lie?

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		Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
		Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
		Parents shouldn't lie about Santa Claus - but don't tell the truth either
		None of the above (Please leave a comment)

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+10 raves Art December 23, 2008 21:13:49

Answered: None of the above
I wouldn't call it a lie to tell little kids about Santa...it's an attempt to enrich the lives of children by encouraging their sense of wonder.

Let kids be kids so they can grow up to be healthy adults.
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agnsttrnd*commies be damned* January 20, 2009 20:14:11

Answered: None of the above
Why destroy dreams when the world will try to do it for them later?? give them as much time as possible to just be kids!!
Darashayael January 07, 2009 03:14:18

Answered: Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
Fef:
This is the first lie a child hears throughout the world, if the family celebrates xmas, and it is done by the two people the child should trust the most. The whole family lies. If parents do not tell the truth about santa, then that's telling a child that lying is o.k. So if your child lies to you ever in her/his life, remember, you started it. If you tell them the Jesus story, that's a lie too. Go to the web and search, The truth about christmas. Now here is something simlpe to help you make the right decision. Juggle the letters in SANTA, it spells (satan), THE FATHER OF ALL LIES. The devil is subtle but effective. Break his cycle of lies, begin with santa.Shalom.
MurphyDog January 05, 2009 01:15:37

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
40
Jen January 03, 2009 19:36:15

Answered: Parents shouldn't lie about Santa Claus - but don't tell the truth either
I think kids should figure it out by themselves, but if they reach the age of 14 and still know, then you should break it to them nicely
jason to Jen September 13, 2009 18:49:20

yeah if kids believe in santa and keep on believing in him or if they stop believing thats good.who knows if santa claus exists or not?its one of the many wonders of earth
I think I am leavin Sorry! ... January 03, 2009 03:31:20

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
they shouldn't tell them that santa doesn't exist the children should decide that on their own.
slashes January 01, 2009 21:06:28

Answered: None of the above
I think that should be left up to every parent to decide. When I was a child I was afraid of him so my mom told me he wasn't real when I was about 5. But it's up to the parents.
jason to slashes September 13, 2009 18:50:56

how could you be scared of him?hes friendly,loves kids and generous.whAT?,did you see one of those xmas horor movies?
Tenonchee December 30, 2008 00:22:14

Answered: Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
because they go have to tell them anyway so why lie about it and crush the child feelings if he/she believes in it
Spider20 December 29, 2008 07:42:14

Answered: None of the above
The concept of Santa can be a special thing......and when it's time for children to "grow up"....well, they should hear this from their parents.....
SageBrush December 28, 2008 14:35:06

Answered: Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
Of course the truth needs to be told without fail. The secret is the way you tell it. Does Santa exist? Not in the flesh but in spirit. Santa's everyone's giving spirit around the Christmas Season.Even us grown ups play with the notion of Santa . It gives us a name for the way we feel when giving. Don't think children are stupid they're not. They make believe better than anyone. So why make it a bad thing? If we teach them correctly Christmas is not only a Holy time but a fun time as well. I mean come on your only a child once.Let them have this fantasy with your guidance. It will make you both laugh HO..HO...HO.
jason to SageBrush September 13, 2009 18:52:10

exactly!thank you!
Luthien December 27, 2008 21:48:19

Answered: None of the above
I think each individual should decide what is right for their children.
spcantwell December 27, 2008 17:36:32

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
figureing it out for themself. after all the primary use of santa is convicing kids that someone is always looking to see if they are being good or not so it hopefully keeps kids from doing anything to bad until they are old enough to realise that there or better reasons for being good
even though, i still say a fat OLD guy who knows EVERYTHING that you done, knows when you sleep, like to have little kids sit on his lap, can break into any house anytime and has "a specail present" for kids who are 'nice' to him..... sounds kind of scketchy to me anyway.......
fll December 27, 2008 16:33:53

Answered: None of the above
That is entirely up to the child's parents...we should not tell parents how to deal with such issues with their children, in my view...
God's_Little_Princess December 27, 2008 00:25:22

Answered: None of the above
Don't tell a lie Santa is real
ounation December 26, 2008 21:45:59

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
when my kids ask i will tell the truth. i will let them believe until they begin to question, then let them know. they also know that the reason is to celebrate Jesus Christ's birth.
♫☠Kestra☠♫[♥] December 26, 2008 20:52:17

Answered: None of the above
WHAT SANTAS NO REAL!?!?!?!?!?!?
rushforpres December 26, 2008 15:59:14

Answered: None of the above
I myself, wouldn't ruin the tradition that I enjoyed as a child for my children, but I don't think I should tell others they must lie, tell the truth, or anything when it comes to religious holidays. Freedom of religion is something I cherish and try hard to not step on that very right of others who disagree with my religion. I wish Christmas never became such a heavily marketed holiday, for it provides the ability for many to forget the holiday isn't about keeping score of what you received or didn't receive.

Knowing what I know now about jolly ole Saint Nick...I tend to feel bad about the days of my childhood when I was disappointed about not receiving the "toy" I thought I deserved. Whether it was from "Santa" or those I knew my parents had given me, as a somewhat "innocent" child I showed emotions towards some gifts that I know cut through my parents or relatives that weighs heavily on my mind.

I guess the one thing I wish parents who choose to participate in this wonderful holiday would do is make sure they’re children remember it is a season for giving...not receiving. The fact that most here in America have the ability to complain about a gift says that we have the one gift that is mostly taken for granted...Freedom...and our successes that have come from Capitalism...

I myself, wouldn't ruin the tradition that I enjoyed as a child for my children, but I don't think I should tell others they must lie, tell the truth, or anything when it comes to religious holidays. Freedom of religion is something I cherish and try hard to not step on that very right of others who disagree with my religion. I wish Christmas never became such a heavily marketed holiday, for it provides the ability for many to forget the holiday isn't about keeping score of what you received or didn't receive.

Knowing what I know now about jolly ole Saint Nick...I tend to feel bad about the days of my childhood when I was disappointed about not receiving the "toy" I thought I deserved. Whether it was from "Santa" or those I knew my parents had given me, as a somewhat "innocent" child I showed emotions towards some gifts that I know cut through my parents or relatives that weighs heavily on my mind.

I guess the one thing I wish parents who choose to participate in this wonderful holiday would do is make sure they’re children remember it is a season for giving...not receiving. The fact that most here in America have the ability to complain about a gift says that we have the one gift that is mostly taken for granted...Freedom...and our successes that have come from Capitalism, allowing us the ability to be taking it for granted instead of hoping to be granted the ability to prosper while standing in long soup lines.
(more)
Raccoon December 26, 2008 15:56:15

Answered: Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
They should tell them because it would save the parents from having to get up in the middle of the night to put gifts out. I believed in santa untill two years ago and I'm 15. I used to write to "santa" and my grandma/grandpa/mum would write back as santa. And if I'm gonna be the one buying all those gifts and wraping them then I'm not going to let some fictional character take credit for it.
pgcsny to Raccoon December 27, 2008 15:08:49

Come back and share your opinion when you actually have kids. What you are is some 15 year twit, who hasnt got a clue..
artist1963-Progressive Patr... December 26, 2008 13:06:34

Answered: None of the above
Let them have their childhood and this is part of it. They all need their fairy-tales to keep it light and fun for kids!!!!
egirl132 December 26, 2008 05:06:16

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
once kids start middle school they should know the truth but not to tell their younger siblings/family members
+1 raves
BlackXheartedXninja December 26, 2008 04:01:27

Answered: None of the above
i would just let children believe what they want to until they figure it out themselves
ashleesy December 26, 2008 02:27:11

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
lie.........til they wanta know..or like 7..hahaha. yeah..

christmas without santa is dumb...santa eats cookies and milk..so suck it.
Lizzy December 25, 2008 01:44:01

Answered: Parents shouldn't lie about Santa Claus - but don't tell the truth either
It's not about lying. It's about giving the kids hope. They always end up finding out the truth on their own. Merry Christmas everyone
+1 raves
mikeymike11 December 25, 2008 00:39:06

Answered: Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
because they will eventually find that out one way or a nother way
+1 raves
lilasianbitch123 December 25, 2008 00:11:54

Answered: Parents should tell the TRUTH about Santa Claus to kids of all ages
santa isnt real its juss all made upp
+1 raves
Basil to lilasia... December 26, 2008 04:35:32

no wonder you call yourself a bitch.
zcberry to Basil December 26, 2008 14:15:50

you are a
+1 raves
No nonsense NanC...don't BS... December 24, 2008 21:01:19

Answered: Parents shouldn't lie about Santa Claus - but don't tell the truth either
Only a penny pinching scrooge would tell a young child there is no Santa. I heard, because I didn't spend money for People Mag, that 0bama and Michelle don't give Christmas presents to their children. That seemed strange to me.
+1 raves
Basil to No nons... December 26, 2008 04:36:15

Muslims.
No nons... to Basil December 26, 2008 04:41:15

I wondered about that! Wouldn't surprise me at all.
+3 raves
AnneMac December 24, 2008 21:00:25

Answered: None of the above
There are a lot of fantasy characters and stories that spark the imagination and teach life lessons to kids. Just like watching Disney movies, Saturday morning cartoons, reading books about blue dogs, hatted cats, green eggs and ham, these stories inform the child of how our society works, and about what we dream. I see no need to single out Santa for exposure until the kid starts getting to the age where they begin to question the difference between reality and fantasy, and then you can gently introduce the Santa concept as a "spirit of giving" and distinguish it from the religious meaning of Christmas. But, it never has to be framed as a LIE (which has so many negative connotations).

When the kid asks, "Mommy, is Santa real?" You can answer: "What do YOU think?" and the kid's answer will give you lots of clues as to how they feel about the issue and what stage of readiness they are to be able to comprehend the deeper, more abstract ideas as they grow.

In short: relax. Have fun, share gifts and love, and be playful. Then the kid won't feel betrayed by the folks, but they will realize it's a wonderful, fun game the family plays while kid's imaginations are strong and unfettered.
+2 raves
may December 24, 2008 20:56:16

Answered: Parents shouldn't lie about Santa Claus - but don't tell the truth either
you just messing with the kids imaging
Basil to may December 26, 2008 04:36:47

What?
+2 raves
Pierced Princess is now a m... December 24, 2008 20:52:59

Answered: Parents shouldn't lie about Santa Claus - but don't tell the truth either
Lol it's one of those harmless lies... Santa is what makes Christmas magical for children :D
+1 raves
Fef to Pierced... December 24, 2008 22:56:23

I thought toys with batteries included made it magical ;)
+1 raves
Basil to Pierced... December 26, 2008 04:37:34

Good for you. Merry Christmas.
+1 raves
SexyBunny December 24, 2008 20:52:21

Answered: Parents should LIE about Santa Claus until their kids reach the age of...
I believe you should tell them when they reach a certain age. If you tell them the truth that is taking away their childhood.