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hotsauce345
my love, my life, my son
Member since 1/09 4169 total posts
Name:
Melody
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what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
I always thought about this and finally was faced with it tonight when a kid asked me if santa was real. When I asked why she would ask that she said her mom already told her that the gifts came from her. Then she said "I'm gonna find out this week! some of the kids at school say he isn't real...I'm going to find out!" so I had to think quick and I replied with. "has your mom ever told you about Saint Nick? Well he was a saint who helped people and gave gifts...and so people give gifts to each other to symbolize the spirit of st. nick...but that doesn't mean he isn't real"
I'm hoping by the time I have to explain this to my own children I will have a more in depth explanation.
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Posted 12/15/10 10:02 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Ever-After
Goals w/o plans r just wishes
Member since 6/09 2585 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
lol. me & dh 'argue' about this from time to time. I NEVER believed in Santa as a kid, and never felt deprived. I just didn't think it was logical. haha. DH on the other hand believed and loved believing. I don't think it's "wrong" either way, but I still havent fully decided what I'm comfortable with. I know it sounds silly but I absolutely HATE the idea of lying to my children and telling them that there is in fact a Santa, and then expect them to also believe me when I tell them that there is a God. If I lied about one, who's to say I'm not lying about everything else? KWIM? So I struggle with this. Dh on the other hand is stubborn and all about our kids believing. I think I might just tell them the real story of St. Nick and tell them that some people believe he still comes around and gives gifts... never confirming nor denying if I believe. lol. I have some time though to figure it out in more depth.
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| Posted 12/15/10 10:13 PM |
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hotsauce345
my love, my life, my son
Member since 1/09 4169 total posts
Name:
Melody
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
yeah I think our plan is to give gifts from santa at first...and when they are old enough to understand (and before the kids at school get to changing their mind) I'd like to explain that "santa Claus" comes from Saint Nicholas or "sinterklaus" & that st. nick was responsible for miracles & also was known to give gifts. Then I will explain that we believe in what st. nick represents as far as the goodness and selflessness of man and that is why we give gifts in his honor...but I want them to be able to choose for themselves wether or not to believe so I think what I will conclude with is that while the physical toys they recieve may not be from santa...the miracles and blessings we recieve around the holidays do come from St. Nick as he is god's helper just as the legend of "santa claus" had helpers.
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| Posted 12/15/10 10:20 PM |
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
i LOVED the magic of santa, tooth fairy, easter bunny etc when I was little. . I know I was fairly young when i stopped believing and did not suffer any trauma from it. . I don't actually even remembering when/how/why I stopped.
I don't think it will cause kids to not trust you on the faith line bc faith isn't about trusting your parents - it's about well - faith. And that you will teach them by example, exposure, and day to day actions and eventually they will make up their own mind about that too.
I'm not saying it's wrong to tell the truth about Santa - just saying it may not have to be such a weighty decision
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| Posted 12/16/10 8:33 AM |
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miamimerger
Loving my bundle of pure JOY!
Member since 4/10 2429 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
Our LO won't grow up believing in Santa, but we haven't figured out a way to make sure she doesn't ruin it for other kids...all in time!
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| Posted 12/16/10 8:48 AM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
My mom used the story of St. Nick, so I never remember believing in Santa. There is definitely part of me that feels I missed out a bit by not having that magic and wonder of Santa. My mother chose to go the route of St. Nick because she remembers feeling disillusioned and upset when she learned Santa wasn't real.
I am really torn on this because it is very important to me that the real meaning of Christmas be ever present, I don't want my children to think it is a holiday to receive gifts, but I also really want them to experience that magic of believing. DS is only 2 right now, so he doesn't understand the concept of Santa, we haven't really brought it up yet. I think next year we will read the stories and talk about Santa and as he gets older if he questions I'll be honest. But to be 100% truthful I am really not sure how it is going to play out.
Message edited 12/16/2010 8:53:53 AM.
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| Posted 12/16/10 8:53 AM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
Our child will believe in Santa....probably until some other kid in school ruins it for them like kids are ruining it for my niece & nephew.
Just IMO kids should be allowed to be innocent and believe in things like that, before they have to enter the harsh reality of the world.
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| Posted 12/16/10 9:45 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
That if he doesn't stop with the tantrums...his cousin is getting all of his toys!!!! same with the one on the way!
Message edited 12/16/2010 9:58:27 AM.
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| Posted 12/16/10 9:57 AM |
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MayBbaby21
Baby no. 3 coming soon!
Member since 6/09 5738 total posts
Name:
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
Posted by pteradactylmama
i LOVED the magic of santa, tooth fairy, easter bunny etc when I was little. . I know I was fairly young when i stopped believing and did not suffer any trauma from it. . I don't actually even remembering when/how/why I stopped.
I don't think it will cause kids to not trust you on the faith line bc faith isn't about trusting your parents - it's about well - faith. And that you will teach them by example, exposure, and day to day actions and eventually they will make up their own mind about that too.
I'm not saying it's wrong to tell the truth about Santa - just saying it may not have to be such a weighty decision
ITA. When I think back to Christmas when I was little, I remember the excitement of the season and Santa Claus: leaving cookies out, getting up at the crack of dawn to see if he came. I want my child to have that. I really don't remember the moment I found out the truth, but like pp said, I didn't suffer any trauma from it or blame my parents for lying to me.
Fortunately, this is something that DH and I are on the same page about.
I also don't fault any parents who decide to tell the truth about Santa from the get-go.
Message edited 12/16/2010 10:01:27 AM.
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| Posted 12/16/10 10:01 AM |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
DH and I plan to explain the miracle of Christmas...not just about gifts, but the season as a whole and the happiness it brings to people. I still believe in this idea as well, so it's not a hard one to explain.
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| Posted 12/16/10 10:01 AM |
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Re: what are you planning to teach your kids about SANTA?
Posted by PotofLuck06
DH and I plan to explain the miracle of Christmas...not just about gifts, but the season as a whole and the happiness it brings to people. I still believe in this idea as well, so it's not a hard one to explain.
This is what I'm doing also. I will do the whole Santa bit; I think it's a fun tradition. At least until they figure it out. But I'll also stress the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of jesus.
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| Posted 12/16/10 10:16 AM |
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