jbooma Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I bring this up because of the recent Santa episodes. A DJ in NY on the air said Santa was fake and was pratically forced to give $1000 to a charity to save his job. There was even a press conference for it. Now a teacher in Florida has told the first graders that santa was make-believe. It happened while talking about the Easter Bunny by accident. Is it okay to lie to our children that santa is real then when they find out from someone else they are hurt? And is it right to lose your job for this? Just curious, I know their are fathers and mothers on this site and would like to hear their response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Wow... I hadn't heard any of that. That kind of amazes me that someone could lose their job for saying that Santa isn't real. I think most of us know that for the sake of some children we shouldn't go around broadcasting it, but losing a job because of it is a bit extreme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Yeah, that's pretty silly. So some kids find out Santa isn't real. They're gonna eventually anyway. This is not something I'd spend too much time mulling over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Santa isnt real??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASMTrainer Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 My son figured it out about 5 months ago, (he turned 9 in Oct) but my little girl didn't want to believe it. She is older then him by 16 months. My wife had me dress up like Santa 1 year when they were much younger but it stuck with my little girl. After she decided that he wasnt real, I didn't get called a liar. I really thought this was gonna be a religion thread. I was once told by a religion-freak, that I was a big liar and I would go to Hell for telling my children that there was a Santa. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Henry Yeah, that's pretty silly. So some kids find out Santa isn't real. They're gonna eventually anyway. This is not something I'd spend too much time mulling over. Of course YOU would say that, Henry. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchuck Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by jbooma I bring this up because of the recent Santa episodes. A DJ in NY on the air said Santa was fake and was pratically forced to give $1000 to a charity to save his job. There was even a press conference for it. Now a teacher in Florida has told the first graders that santa was make-believe. It happened while talking about the Easter Bunny by accident. Is it okay to lie to our children that santa is real then when they find out from someone else they are hurt? And is it right to lose your job for this? Just curious, I know their are fathers and mothers on this site and would like to hear their response. Santas not real? Jbooma you should get the clown for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I will not lie to my children. I will not tell them there's a Santa Claus. I will not tell them there's an Easter Bunny. I will not tell them they can do anything they set their mind to. I will not tell them the world is fair. I will not introduce them to religion. You wanna know why kids are so disillusioned nowadays? Why I see so many youths attempting suicide or spending time in our psychiatric ward? Because we lie to them every day. And when they find out life isn't what we've told them.... they lose their sense of trust and confidence. I want my kids to enjoy life. And a big part of that is being prepared for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 my son believes, more from his grandparents than from us. my wife and i don't stress the santa side of things, but with pop culture and grandparents giving gifts labeled "From: Santa" he believes. the crazy thing is that i found out in the first grade, which my son is now in. weird to think that he could figure it out soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by CrankyTodd Of course YOU would say that, Henry. :laugh: Touche. :laugh: Actually, my family did Christmas until I was about five. Then my big sister found out there was no Santa. And then she told me. And the next year we stopped with the Christmas thing because, well, we're not Christian. I don't remember begin emotionally scarred by any of it. At least that's what my therapist tells me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Die Hard I will not lie to my children. I will not tell them there's a Santa Claus. I will not tell them there's an Easter Bunny. I will not tell them they can do anything they set their mind to. I will not tell them the world is fair. I will not introduce them to religion. You wanna know why kids are so disillusioned nowadays? Why I see so many youths attempting suicide or spending time in our psychiatric ward? Because we lie to them every day. And when they find out life isn't what we've told them.... they lose their sense of trust and confidence. I want my kids to enjoy life. And a big part of that is being prepared for it. I agree Die Hard. Though, I knew that Santa wasn't real, but you're kidding about the Easter Bunny, right? How can you explain the chocolate that I find in my shoe when I wake up... Wait, that could just be that the dog's been in my room again...:doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridironmike Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I think it is part of the magic of being a child, believing in Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. I also believe children should be taught the real meanings of Christmas and Easter. I have a buddy at work that won't tell his children about Santa because he got into a fight when he was a child because he believed in him and now feels like he was lied to. I think it is one of those unwritten rules that you don't tell kids if you're not the parent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 What's the problem with Santa Claus? Do you guys really believe that kids are going to become disillusioned - even suicidal - because of Santa Claus? Gimme a break! It's a fun thing for kids, and for their parents on what is a very special holiday for a lot of people. And I think kids, long after they've stopped believing in Santa Claus, learn to appreciate the effort that their parents put in to make the holiday special. As for the DJ, he did what could only be described as malicious, raining all over kids' parades here, just for a laugh. It's neither his job nor a teacher's job to tell kids about Santa. I just don't get people sometimes. And as for not lying to kids, how far are you going to take this? Are you going to tell them that your father in law isn't welcome in your house on holidays because of his drinking problem? Are you going to tell them that your prior marriage failed because your ex - or you - cheated? We tell kids white lies all the time because they're not born ready to handle all of the harsh realities of the world. That's part of the way that we fulfill our role of Protector as parents of our kids. In that context, focusing on fictional Santa Claus as an evil just seems silly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsknbill Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Die Hard I will not lie to my children. I will not tell them there's a Santa Claus. I will not tell them there's an Easter Bunny. I will not tell them they can do anything they set their mind to. I will not tell them the world is fair. I will not introduce them to religion. You wanna know why kids are so disillusioned nowadays? Why I see so many youths attempting suicide or spending time in our psychiatric ward? Because we lie to them every day. And when they find out life isn't what we've told them.... they lose their sense of trust and confidence. I want my kids to enjoy life. And a big part of that is being prepared for it. DH, There are a few flaws in your logic, IMO. There is nothing wrong with a young child believing in Santa. My boy (12) know the deal. He will not, however, ruin the illuision for his two liitle sisters (8 and 4) What is the sense in doing that? Tell me honestly, did you believe in Santa as a kid? I sure as hell did. Those memories of waking up on Xmas morning, and seeing presents under the tree that weren't there the night before are some of the best. Equating the "world is not fair" to the belief in Santa is a bit of a stretch. I do believe that my children are capable of whatever they put there mind too. Don't get me wrong, my children are not naive, not in the least. Nor will I let my girls go out into the world without a healthy dose of "street sense. But if you instill a feeling of self-confidence in them, and they are willing to work their butts off to get where they want to go, they will go far in life. The biggest problem I see with kids today, mine included, is work ethic. AKA "Finish what you started". Too many parents coddle their children in this day and age. Thus they have no clue of what the world is all about. :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phat Hog Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Die Hard I will not lie to my children. I will not tell them there's a Santa Claus. I will not tell them there's an Easter Bunny. I will not tell them they can do anything they set their mind to. I will not tell them the world is fair. I will not introduce them to religion. You wanna know why kids are so disillusioned nowadays? Why I see so many youths attempting suicide or spending time in our psychiatric ward? Because we lie to them every day. And when they find out life isn't what we've told them.... they lose their sense of trust and confidence. I want my kids to enjoy life. And a big part of that is being prepared for it. How kids see Santa: How Die Hard sees Santa: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Obi Wan Kenobi lied to Luke about his Father because "not ready was he for the burden" was young Luke.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Obi Wan Kenobi lied to Luke about his Father because "not ready was he for the burden" was young Luke.... "No ... I am Santa." "That's not true ... that's IMPOSSIBLE!" "Search your feelings, you know it to be true!" "Noooooooo! Nooo!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Henry "No ... I am Santa." "That's not true ... that's IMPOSSIBLE!" "Search your feelings, you know it to be true!" "Noooooooo! Nooo!" Since I got my new digital camcorder, I might have to make THAT movie....LOL. Is the Easterbunny the Mother and does Leia have memories of her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 if you post that movie code, double check and make sure you're posting the "right" movie, if you catch my drift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by dchogs if you post that movie code, double check and make sure you're posting the "right" movie, if you catch my drift LOL... I know exactly what you mean... Funny story, I was out for "couples night" with my wife, my brother and his wife and a friend and his fairly new girlfriend. I told them about the camcorder that I got and told my friend and made sure his new girlfriend could hear.... "This new camcorder is really cool, is your new girlfriend going to do the porn thing like the last girl??" He went from giggly to damage control mode very quickly....:rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I always thought it would be cool if you found out there really WAS a Santa Claus after you had kids. I dont see anything wrong with a little lie that brings joy and excitement to kids. It different than telling them big lies, like Democrats are good people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phat Hog Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Kilmer17 It different than telling them big lies, like Democrats are good people. :hammer: :rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 There's no flaw in my logic. It's pretty straight forward and consistent. Some of you guys are stretching... I never said telling kids a white lie about Santa Claus will disillusion the child. It's the precedent it sets. Some of you believe little white lies are harmless. That's your prerogative. What is Santa Claus to the child? Ultimately, the hope of getting an extra special present. I'd rather buy that extra present for the kid and tell him I bought it. And I'll take the credit for it as well thank you. I don't see any benefit telling him a fictional character is giving him presents based on his behavior during the year. Some of you might find that harmless or a possible incentive for the child to behave. I don't. I find it sets a bad precedent. I don't enjoying lying to the people I respect and care about. Even a little white lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSF Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Well now Diehard, aren't you impressed with yourself. I'm going to step out on a limb here and take a guess that you don't have any children.:laugh: There's nothing more amusing to a parent than someone who doesn't have kids lecturing about how to raise kids or what's wrong with kids today. I'm sorry my friend, but you haven't got a clue what your talking about. One day, if you're lucky, your 3 year old little girl will look into your eyes and ask you if Santa is coming, and then you will understand. Millions of good parents tell their kids white lies everyday. Sometimes to give them joy, and sometimes to just get through the day. If it wasn't for the tooth fairy, I'd still be trying to get my daughter's first tooth out.:laugh: Legends like Santa fuel kids' imaginations, develops their creativity, and gives them something to dream about. Kids are a lot more adaptable and resilient than you give them credit for. They get to around first grade or so and figure out that Santa's not real, yet somehow they go on to live normal lives. One other thing, I tell my kids every day that they can do whatever they put their minds to, because I'm trying to instill a sense of confidence and self esteem in them. I don't think I'm setting them up for a letdown. You say you want to prepare your kids for life. Who's going to prepare you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagles_Legendz Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Originally posted by Die Hard I will not lie to my children. I will not tell them there's a Santa Claus. I will not tell them there's an Easter Bunny. I will not tell them they can do anything they set their mind to. I will not tell them the world is fair. I will not introduce them to religion. You wanna know why kids are so disillusioned nowadays? Why I see so many youths attempting suicide or spending time in our psychiatric ward? Because we lie to them every day. And when they find out life isn't what we've told them.... they lose their sense of trust and confidence. I want my kids to enjoy life. And a big part of that is being prepared for it. You think kids commit suicide because they find out Santa isn't real? I'd bet VERY few people commit suicide because they think their parents lied to them about Santa or the Easter Bunny. You say you want your kids to enjoy life. You don't think them believing in Santa adds a little bit to Christmas when they're young? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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