So, laying in bed this morning with my two beautiful children when Elleyna turns to me and informs me that, two days ago, a sixth grade girl in the neighborhood told them that Santa wasn't real. It's bound to happen at some point, I'm know. Elleyna then asks, "So, are you the one that puts out the gifts marked "Santa"? Um, really no room for wiggle here. Those types of questions from her really confirm my belief that she's destined for law school.
I asked her what she thought. She indicated to me that she was "infinite % sure that Santa was real." Danny chimes in, "I don't think Santa is a crook. I think he's as Jolly as a Roger." What "crook" had to do with the conversation, I really can't guess. I asked him what a "Roger" was and he, well, he didn't really know. That makes two of us.
But my question is this; to what degree do you "lie" to your children to continue administering CPR to the Santa fantasy? At third grade and first grade, I would really like it to last a few more years. However, I'm not overly comfortable with this new turn of events. Elleyna, my lawyer girl with her pointed questions, makes it hard not to feel that I am truly lying to her face. I'm hoping there are no perjury laws when it comes to parenting. How old were your kids when they "found out"? And how much is too much before you just tell them the truth? Please discuss.
3 comments:
I have been trying to find a story I had saved. I was going to use it when I was faced with this issue. It was about a little girl coming home from school crying as someone told her Santa was not real, and the reply Dad gave her. It had to do with having faith and believing in what you cannot see, such as believing in God. It was written in a rhyming format. As it turned out, I never needed it. The knowledge that Santa is not real is just a part of growing up and they just accept. Can't remember at what age they learned, sorry.
I think the important thing here is that YOU have to believe in Santa or he really isn't real. My kids are 16, 14, 12, and they think I am crazy but are relieved to know that their mom still believes in Santa and still feels a responsibility to put something under the tree for everyone (actually we fill up the stockings on his behalf).
That means they can still Believe.
Our Santa is the true Spirit of our love for each other. He flies around (or hovers, or zooms, or whatever appropriate mode... think Baron Harkonen only nice) sprinkling Holiday Spirit like cheese over the whole world.
This cheese... I mean Holiday Spirit... makes people be nice to each other, purchase nice socks and new, fancy toothpaste for the stockings, and participate in other Holiday Spirit Activities.
Why do some kids' families say Santa is not real? Because the parents just feel guilty that they don't believe and do not want to lie to their kids. That is ok, since Santa still visits everyone and sprinkles them with cheese. I mean Spirit.
-dawn
Well said, Dawn...I planned on telling them that the "spirit of Christmas is the spirit of Love" and Santa always exists as the spirit of love, even if it isn't a jolly man in a red suit. I like your take on it...It mirrors mine. Thanks for your input and thanks for visiting.
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