Why do People think its okay to ruin Santa for kids? Update - p. 21, post 307

[Mrs.Toad]

Awww.... we could have been BFF's!!! I played with them until about 12, too! And would hide them away when friends came over, as they were seriously *uncool* by that age.

And some of your friends probably had Barbies they played with in secret, and hid when you came over, too!

 

[Wendy31]

I don't think there is any reason for an adult to tell a child that his/her parents have been lying to him/her & that there's no such thing as Santa Claus. First, I think Santa & personal Christmas beliefs are between the child & the parents - teachers (or anyone else) shouldn't feel compelled to intervene w/ the "truth". Secondly, telling a child that his/her parents have been lying to him/her is just wrong, imo, in this instance. It's Santa Claus, for goodness sake!

There are plenty of ways to include both Santa & Jesus.

I was a kindergarten teacher at a Baptist Christian school. Every year, I always had either a child ask me if I believed in Santa Claus or a child try to tell the class that there was no such thing as Santa Claus.

My response: Of course I believe in Santa Claus! Santa Claus visits my house every year!! We leave cookies for him & carrots for his reindeer, &, on Christmas morning, they're gone! And he's left us all kinds of things! But, you know what? I also believe in Someone who is even better than Santa Claus! And, while it's fun to make our lists for Santa & leave milk & cookies for him, we need to remember that Christmas is really about Jesus. Now, class, can someone tell me why Christmas is about Jesus?

It's really that simple & easy for any teacher or preacher to do!

I stayed true to the mission of the school & church but didn't crush some little child's belief in the fun Santa either! I never considered it my place to make a child doubt his/her parents!

I still remember the day my 2nd grade teacher informed our class that Santa Claus wasn't real. I was devastated! (And the parents, including mine, of the class were mad! I believe the teacher had to make some sort of retraction, but, by then, it was really too late...)

 

[Minniemouse07]

You are thinking of The Autobiography of Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guinn.

It is the first of a WONDERFUL series of books on the history of Santa Claus...can't say enough nice things about it. I plan on having dd read it when she comes to me to talk about the SC question. She's 9yo and I'm pretty sure she knows...but I want her to acknowledge it to me before I give her the book.

If you have issues reconciling the whole real/myth thing...read this book.

There is a great explanation near the end about how gifts are currently distributed, the role parents play in the process, and why Santa doesn't give to grown ups.

Definitely a heartwarming story to read during the holidays!

I'm not saying that it is true, but it makes a decent stab at explaining everything so you could possibly think it may be true!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

If you have issues reconciling the whole real/myth thing...read this book.

There is a great explanation near the end about how gifts are currently distributed, the role parents play in the process, and why Santa doesn't give to grown ups.

Definitely a heartwarming story to read during the holidays!

I'm not saying that it is true, but it makes a decent stab at explaining everything so you could possibly think it may be true!

It's also available on CD - I listened to it during the holiday season last year - the narrator was fantastic! (Thanks for making me think of it - off to dig them off of the shelf for another listen!)

 

[Magpie]

Then you're not lying to your children when you tell them Santa is real. Do you know someone who fits that description, or are you making a straw man argument just for fun?

For me, Santa is to the Spirit of Christmas as A Big Bearded Man on a Cloud is to God.

I can honestly tell my children that I believe in Santa. Believing in Santa does not mean I believe that a fat jolly man actually breaks into our house every Christmas Eve, any more than I believe that God actually perches on a cloud somewhere in the sky. Believing in Santa means believing in the Spirit of Christmas, which is a joyous phenomena created by the belief of tens of thousands of people, celebrating the return of light at the darkest time of the year.

Children are literal in their view of the world. That's why children often believe Heaven is "somewhere up there". Adults gradually develop a more nuanced understanding of reality, and can understand that God is incorporeal, that God can exist in our hearts, and that Heaven can be a state of being, rather than a real physical place.

Santa is real. God is real. It's all true.

 

[smb6]

I don't know how old your kids are, but for me - you kinda lose it after your kids know about Santa. It's not the same having to wake THEM up, as it is when they ask "Can we go see what Santa left, pllllllleeeease???"

They grow up entirely too fast, which is why hearing things like this (Santa ruined) is sad, for me. It's not long enough, as it is.

My kids don't believe in santa, but we have not lost anything.... My kids still can't sleep at night and are over the moon excited to see what they get in the morning.... I agree they grow up too fast, but not believing in santa does not make Christmas any less exciting! Christmas at our house is an absolute blast! The kids get excited and butterflies the night before, as do I....

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

For me, Santa is to the Spirit of Christmas as A Big Bearded Man on a Cloud is to God.

I can honestly tell my children that I believe in Santa. Believing in Santa does not mean I believe that a fat jolly man actually breaks into our house every Christmas Eve, any more than I believe that God actually perches on a cloud somewhere in the sky. Believing in Santa means believing in the Spirit of Christmas, which is a joyous phenomena created by the belief of tens of thousands of people, celebrating the return of light at the darkest time of the year.

Children are literal in their view of the world. That's why children often believe Heaven is "somewhere up there". Adults gradually develop a more nuanced understanding of reality, and can understand that God is incorporeal, that God can exist in our hearts, and that Heaven can be a state of being, rather than a real physical place.

Santa is real. God is real. It's all true.

Very well said!

 

[Mkrop]

For me, Santa is to the Spirit of Christmas as A Big Bearded Man on a Cloud is to God.

I can honestly tell my children that I believe in Santa. Believing in Santa does not mean I believe that a fat jolly man actually breaks into our house every Christmas Eve, any more than I believe that God actually perches on a cloud somewhere in the sky. Believing in Santa means believing in the Spirit of Christmas, which is a joyous phenomena created by the belief of tens of thousands of people, celebrating the return of light at the darkest time of the year.

Children are literal in their view of the world. That's why children often believe Heaven is "somewhere up there". Adults gradually develop a more nuanced understanding of reality, and can understand that God is incorporeal, that God can exist in our hearts, and that Heaven can be a state of being, rather than a real physical place.

Santa is real. God is real. It's all true.

Best post

 

[C.Ann]

Guys, Santa is real, as is the magic of Christmas. If you don't believe, I invite you to look around you over the course of the next month. Only something as magical as Christmas, with someone as magical as Santa, can create and sustain this level of love and good cheer in times like this.

Keep the spirit alive in your hearts in whatever way works for you, but keep it alive.

Finally - someone who "get's it" !!!!! This is what I have said (and felt) all my life - and I've passed this on to my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren..

Sorry folks, but I "believe" in Santa - and I'll "believe" until the day I die!

Great, great post!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Vicious????? This person did not do their job and basically told the kids that their parents lie to them. Take out the religion and Santa, take out that it was a relgious teacher. If any teacher told my child that I was liar, that would not be cool and yes I would be filing a complaint. Might the complaint get the teacher fired (or in the case of relig ed in Catholic schools,most likely a volunteer dismissed) than that is what happens. People get fired for lesser things than this.

I'm not going to discuss whether the person did their job or not. I don't have the job description. But when somebody states the teacher would be out of a job, and someone else says the person should be sued or that parents would have the teachers head on a platter - THAT'S acceptable to you all??? Violence and threats? Frivolous lawsuits?? Really? But an adult teaching religion stating a fact - because, fact it folks, fantasy aside, it IS a fact (St. Nicholas is real, Santa Claus is not) - makes eighteen-plus pages of 'outrage' valid?

eta: No, I won't "Take out the religion and Santa, take out that it was a relgious teacher." The entire situation arose specifically BECAUSE it's a religious school/class/teacher. If you take out the religion and Santa, and take out that it was a religious teacher, you have no occurrence; therefore you have no thread.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm not going to discuss whether the person did their job or not. I don't have the job description. But when somebody states the teacher would be out of a job, and someone else says the person should be sued or that parents would have the teachers head on a platter - THAT'S acceptable to you all??? Violence and threats? Frivolous lawsuits?? Really? But an adult teaching religion stating a fact - because, fact it folks, fantasy aside, it IS a fact (St. Nicholas is real, Santa Claus is not) - makes eighteen-plus pages of 'outrage' valid?

While I don't agree with asking for her job, I do believe she should be reprimanded. However, what I can't get over is the idea that this teacher can say whatever she feels, without regard for the parents or children, simply because it is FACT. I've posed questions to another poster who thought it was okay because it was FACT. So I pose similar questions to you -- if you were a closet lesbian and I knew it for a FACT, would it be okay for me to call your employer or parents and let them know? If I knew for a FACT that you had a drinking problem, would it be okay for me to call your employer and let them know? If I knew for a FACT that your husband was cheating on you, would it be okay for me to call you and gloat that he's a liar? NO, BECAUSE IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS!!!! That's the point of all this. It was not that teacher's business or place to tell those children anything. And specifically it was not okay for her to tell those children their parents were liars. What don't you understand about that? Someone jokingly posted that it was time to tell the kids their teacher drinks and everyone was outraged. But what if it's true? Then it's okay?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I get it. I do. It's REALLY sad to see your kids crushed or lose a bit of the
"childhood".

Santa isn't the hill I'd choose to die on. My mom didn't go all pitchfork and torches on the teenager at my bus stop who told us there was no Santa. She just figured we find out eventually. It's only my opinion...It's JUST Santa.

Do I think the teacher was a big old Grinch? Abso-friggin-lutely! But I wouldn't ask him to be fired for it. For the record, I think anyone who ruins Santa for little kids is total joyless miser who deserves a lump o'coal.

And if you'd like to blast me for whatever, have at it.

I wish I had a prize for you You're the only person who realizes the teacher's a man.

 

[C.Ann]

While I don't agree with asking for her job, I do believe she should be reprimanded. However, what I can't get over is the idea that this teacher can say whatever she feels, without regard for the parents or children, simply because it is FACT. I've posed questions to another poster who thought it was okay because it was FACT. So I pose similar questions to you -- if you were a closet lesbian and I knew it for a FACT, would it be okay for me to call your employer or parents and let them know? If I knew for a FACT that you had a drinking problem, would it be okay for me to call your employer and let them know? If I knew for a FACT that your husband was cheating on you, would it be okay for me to call you and gloat that he's a liar? NO, BECAUSE IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS!!!! That's the point of all this. It was not that teacher's business or place to tell those children anything. And specifically it was not okay for her to tell those children their parents were liars. What don't you understand about that? Someone jokingly posted that it was time to tell the kids their teacher drinks and everyone was outraged. But what if it's true? Then it's okay?

I agree with what you have posted, but would also like to point out that I never even thought about having the teacher fired, suing, or anything of that nature.. That's a bit much.. (Not directed at you - just a general comment..) However, it should be brought to someones attention so that it doesn't happen again..

Reprimand? Yes.. Firing and suing? No.. (At least not as far as I'm concerned - even though I would be one very angry parent!!)

 

[PrincessKsMom]

One other thought -- where is the harm in this "lie"?

 

[Mkrop]

I'm not going to discuss whether the person did their job or not. I don't have the job description. But when somebody states the teacher would be out of a job, and someone else says the person should be sued or that parents would have the teachers head on a platter - THAT'S acceptable to you all??? Violence and threats? Frivolous lawsuits?? Really? But an adult teaching religion stating a fact - because, fact it folks, fantasy aside, it IS a fact (St. Nicholas is real, Santa Claus is not) - makes eighteen-plus pages of 'outrage' valid?

eta: No, I won't "Take out the religion and Santa, take out that it was a relgious teacher." The entire situation arose specifically BECAUSE it's a religious school/class/teacher. If you take out the religion and Santa, and take out that it was a religious teacher, you have no occurrence; therefore you have no thread.

You certainly could take religion out of this thread. If a teacher in public school told my child I lied because I told them that the storks brings the babies and HE said, no that is not how it happened your parents lied to you, I would be outraged. It is my perogative as a parent to teach my children, and explain sex and babies to them when I want to. Now if my child questioned or asked the teacher, does the stork bring babies, I would want the teacher to direct them to me.

You could also insert Darwinism and God etc. It doesnt matter the topic, it matters that HE said that we the parents LIED to our children, NOT his place at all.

And for the record, no my kids were not told that the stork brings babies, it was just an example. My children know age appropriate real biological reasons but that is my choice to teach them that.

 

[C.Ann]

One other thought -- where is the harm in this "lie"?

It's not a lie!!! There IS a "Santa Claus" - and if I ever had any doubts, something so incredible happened to me tonight (via PM's ) it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a "magical, wonderful, unbelievable" spirit is in the air..

 

[PrincessKsMom]

It's not a lie!!! There IS a "Santa Claus" - and if I ever had any doubts, something so incredible happened to me tonight (via PM's ) it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a "magical, wonderful, unbelievable" spirit is in the air..

C.Ann I'm happy that you received such a wonderful confirmation. While I don't believe that there is a specific man who is Santa Claus, I do believe in the power of humans to be kind to one another and the power that comes with sharing and caring for others. That's the magic of Christmas and Santa for me!

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't understand all this fuss. First, let me say that I think the teacher was totally wrong. It was not her place to tell the children something she had to know many parents wouldn't want their children to hear.

For me, Santa is real. For instance, tonight I went to Downtown Disney. Santa was there greeting families. I stood and watched the little ones and the looks on their faces when he spoke to them. To me, at that moment anyway, he was very real. He was magical and was creating magical moments for those families. I felt the spirit of Christmas.

Santa is the embodiment of the Christmas spirit. That doesn't detract from the religious aspect. I totally believe that the spirit of Santa and Jesus go hand in hand very well. They are both about love, understanding and spreading joy.

I hope I never lose my belief in Santa.

 

[C.Ann]

I don't understand all this fuss. First, let me say that I think the teacher was totally wrong. It was not her place to tell the children something she had to know many parents wouldn't want their children to hear.

For me, Santa is real. For instance, tonight I went to Downtown Disney. Santa was there greeting families. I stood and watched the little ones and the looks on their faces when he spoke to them. To me, at that moment anyway, he was very real. He was magical and was creating magical moments for those families. I felt the spirit of Christmas.

Santa is the embodiment of the Christmas spirit. That doesn't detract from the religious aspect. I totally believe that the spirit of Santa and Jesus go hand in hand very well. They are both about love, understanding and spreading joy.

I hope I never lose my belief in Santa.

Amen!!!

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I am conflicted over this. We do not do Santa but are big believers in the spirit of the season - peace, love, giving to others etc. Christmas carols put a smile on our faces, as does working at the mission.

In my opinion teacher should not be reprimanded, fired or sued.

At the heart of the matter - what would you sue for? Your honor this woman told the truth!