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

[kaytieeldr]

Hey OP, it's time you had a frank conversation with your children. It could go something like this:

Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry I have to tell you this but...your religion teacher drinks.

That's great. It's a travesty that the teacher told the children Santa isn't real, but it's fine to lie about the teacher.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Sorry, but my DD3 went to WDW for the firs time, you better believe that she thought Cinderella was real, and anyone that told here differently would have had me in their face. Why in the world would I take a beautiful little 3 year old whose face literally lit up when she saw cindy and tell her no sweetie, it is all a lie, it is just a woman dressed up. That is wrong.

Now they are older, sure, but when they are little kids why in the world i ruin that for her. There is no good reason except just being cruel and unfeeling.

Well said!

Yes, she should be fired.

 

[mhsjax]

Nothing. My parents did the whole santa thing with my brother sister and I. I choose not to lie to my children. I don't understand how lying to your children makes Christmas more magical. I guess it's so they can't "blame" you when they don't get xyz for christmas. They'll just blame that myth.

Only if you don't have a brain in your head. I knew exactly what my kids wanted form Santa, we wrote him letters. I also explained that when they asked for too much, that it wasn't in the Christmas spirit. If they wanted something that was the hot ticket item, I told them that Santa was very old and sometimes just could not make electronic things or what ever it is that they wanted. I told them that if Santa couldn't bring it, then maybe he would leave an IOU and the mom and dad could pick it up later for them. This worked great for us. They only got so many gifts from Santa

 

[mhsjax]

Something to think about, before you get too upset about how your kids' Christmas is ruined because now they know about the Santa thing:

... Every one of us adults who at one time believed in Santa went through finding out the truth. Did it ruin Christmas for you? Nah. Maybe a day or two of pain, but most kids don't miss it that much, and Christmas is still exciting and magical.
It's the parents who feel the most pain at the end of the magical time of childhood. I think it's the same pain we feel about any milestone that shows the kids are growing up and leaving their childhood behind.

Personally, I don't understand why parents regard a teacher or other adult telling the truth about Santa as such a breach of their role. It's not sex education. It's not religious doctrine. It's not lies or propaganda the teacher is pushing on kids. Tactless, perhaps, and maybe a little inconsiderate of the feelings of parents for a teacher to spill the beans, but I can't believe people would seriously consider this with such outrage they'd suggest the teacher is unfit to teach.

Oh, I would. in a New York minute. Not their job. It is mine. They need to stick to what they are supposed to teach.

Funny you mention sex education, When they do teach that, a letter is sent home telling you what they will be teaching, you have the option of reviewing the material and or opting out. AGain, the parents make the decision about what the child learns.

 

[mjkacmom]

Have a question for the posters who see nothing wrong with what happened in a religious ed class - essentially saying that's what you get. Are you catholic? Or are you a religion that doesn't allow the use of Santa? Bc I truly think there is a difference bw a family with kids that is knowingly in a religion that doesn't allow Santa and a religion, like catholicism, which as a whole is not only fine with it but uses it. If I decided to have my son in a Jewish class, I can't then be upset that they aren't doing Christmas trees, celebrating Christmas, etc. But as a catholic, one does not expect someone to debunk Santa as that is not a tenet of catholicism.
!

We're Catholic, and therefore know that attendance at these classes are mandatory to make our sacraments - it's not Sunday school. I don't know of a single family that doesn't do the whole santa thing, and this would be a HUGE problem! Unfortunately, it's so hard to find CCD volunteers, so this person would be talked to, but that's about it.

 

[luvsJack]

That's great. It's a travesty that the teacher told the children Santa isn't real, but it's fine to lie about the teacher.

PPsssssttt...... it was a joke. Lighten up!

 

[Jennasis]

Only if you don't have a brain in your head. I knew exactly what my kids wanted form Santa, we wrote him letters. I also explained that when they asked for too much, that it wasn't in the Christmas spirit. If they wanted something that was the hot ticket item, I told them that Santa was very old and sometimes just could not make electronic things or what ever it is that they wanted. I told them that if Santa couldn't bring it, then maybe he would leave an IOU and the mom and dad could pick it up later for them. This worked great for us. They only got so many gifts from Santa

What about kids from poor families. Those who can't afford any Christmas?

And all this talk about firing someone over SANTA CLAUS. Let's all just take a deep breath. Nobody was hurt. Nobody will suffer lifelong trauma. It's just Santa Claus. honestly, sometimes I think the Santa thing is more for the parents than the kids. I get that it's sad when your kids are upset. I do. But man, it's not worth the anguish. Just get over it. Eventually all kids learn there's no Santa.

Keep the myth and the fun going as long as you can! But when the jig is up (for whatever reason) just smile and say "Ah, well we had a good run!".

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

That's great. It's a travesty that the teacher told the children Santa isn't real, but it's fine to lie about the teacher.

Actually, the teacher did a lot more than that. The teacher also called the parents liars (in a passive-aggressive way) and undermined the relationship/trust between the children and their parents. This isn't just about Santa.

 

[kaytieeldr]

ummmm; No way in Heck! I send my son's to a catholic school~ all teacher's help to perpetuate the magical spirit of loving all and sharing w all =Santa.

They even go as far as having a Santa's workshop that the kids can shop in for their family members.

Your rationale is Bunk IMHO~

If that would have been my child~ that teacher would be looking for another job

I agree - there is no reason for Santa to be brought into the discussion. I completely disagree with those who say why enroll your kids in religious ed if you're worried about that. We are Catholic and my DD6 attends a Catholic School. No teacher has ever announced that there is no Santa Claus to the children, and if they did, I think I and other parents would want to have their head on a platter if they did! Each year our school even sponsors a "Pizza with Santa" night at the church hall. A wonderful, very real looking Santa is there, pictures are taken, and it's a wonderful night for children and parents.

Honestly, I think that teacher should be sued or something! What next? No Mickey Mouse???!!!

You people are VICIOUS!!!! Sued? Head on a platter?? Out looking for another job?????? Wow!

Y'alls have that kind of power??? I'm glad I don't work where you have any influence on my job! I know what to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!!!

 

[mhsjax]

While riding a unicycle, blindfolded.

And after consuming much alcohol.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

What about kids from poor families. Those who can't afford any Christmas?

And all this talk about firing someone over SANTA CLAUS. Let's all just take a deep breath. Nobody was hurt. Nobody will suffer lifelong trauma. It's just Santa Claus. honestly, sometimes I think the Santa thing is more for the parents than the kids. I get that it's sad when your kids are upset. I do. But man, it's not worth the anguish. Just get over it. Eventually all kids learn there's no Santa.

Keep the myth and the fun going as long as you can! But when the jig is up (for whatever reason) just smile and say "Ah, well we had a good run!".

I see your point but saying it to a 5 years old is hardly a good run.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

what a snot!!! clearly that woman never watched the friends eppisode tying in haunnaka(sp?) and xmas with the holiday armadillo, superman, and santa all there. lol sorry it was a good one!

but come on! at 7? i remember when i was in grade 2- you know that age- our teacher reading us a wonderful novel about santa and how he had orginated lost a little sister and gave toys to kids at christmas, or something like that. i wish i couldremember the name of it cus it was a wonderful book!

i can understand religion class teaching the children about jesus and all that, it is religion class but to be so bold as to tell them santa doesn't exist and they are old enough to know it is not right. what gives the teacher any rite to do so? sure santa maybe completley commericalized now, but still to ruin that experience for a bunch of 7 year olds is not cool! our kids are growing up way to fast as it is and aging sooner than they need to to deal with the world that is before them, why take this one piece of innocence away from them?

 

[Jennasis]

I see your point but saying it to a 5 years old is hardly a good run.

The child mentioned in the OP was 7 (who had a 5 year old sibling NOT in attendance during the class where the teacher spilled the beans) Some runs are longer than others. . My sister figured it out 7. Me...I think I was 9. My younger sister figured it out at 11 or 12. Mostly because the rest of us did nip-ups to perpetuate the myth for her for as long as possible...because WE enjoyed the myth.

This is a case where the teacher should be spoken to and told not to debunk Santa ever again. No WAY should he/she be fired/sued/tarred and feathered/ridden out on a rail/strung up etc..

 

[mhsjax]

People like you amaze me..... My kids believed in Santa. They also believed in Jesus and knew full well the "real" reason and meaning behind Christmas. At a certain age they both came and asked if Santa was real and we gently explained that he wasn't truly an elf-type creature who wore a red suit but that was a good way and fun way for people to picture him because he was just a special magical part of the holidays.. And they still believed.....

Years later as my then high school aged daughter was standing with me at our front door accepting another huge donation to a holiday program we were running for under-privileged children and families out of our home I turned her around and directed her attention to our family room at the farthest end of our home. You could barely see the tree in that huge room. We were taking care of 65 families with over 200 children that year and in our family room there were groceries for a whole week for each family and a gift for each child and their parents piled in there. I quietly asked her if she saw Santa and she nodded yes.

Two years ago one of the children who received a gift in the program walked up to me in a local bar. He is now a dad and all grown up. He is and always was one of my son's dear friends and when he got a special gift one year, it was very hard for my son to say nothing when he showing his friends that special present in school. That night in the bar, he came over and gave me a huge hug and whispered in my ear...."thank you Santa Claus". Why then after all those years is beyond me, but he still remembered and it was amazing. I've got the chubby part down but I am no elf but for him I was. He saw Santa.....

I guess it is all in how you choose to view it. Be the cynic and insist that magic and the goodwill of the holidays can't be embodied in the likeness of a jolly old fellow in a red suit but don't assume the right to tell anyone else's child that something a parent shares with them is not real.

Oh man, now you went and made my cry. Shame on you. lol Beautiful post.

 

[Dictator]

I must say, I love the personal jabs that infer I'm a bad parent.
That's the spirit!

 

[PollyannaMom]

When my oldest was a toddler, Santa came into the church at the Christmas Eve Catholic Mass and knelt before the manger scene & said a prayer, before he went on his route. I know some thought that was silly, but this was a Mass was geared toward children and you should have seen the wide eyes on the little ones....priceless!....

My church does this as well, and I just love it! I have never seen a church so silent as it is then, and I don't think they could come up with a better way to show kids that even Santa puts Jesus before the rest of the festivities.

OP - I think it's awful that a CCD teacher spoiled it for those kids, and the priest, volunteer coordinator, or whomever needs to have a talk with him about appropriate curriculum.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I must say, I love the personal jabs that infer I'm a bad parent.
That's the spirit!

You realize that you have called just about everyone on this board a liar, right? So, you can insult but others can't respond in kind. When you make ridiculous statements, you have to be prepared for the fallout.

 

[mhsjax]

What about kids from poor families. Those who can't afford any Christmas?

And all this talk about firing someone over SANTA CLAUS. Let's all just take a deep breath. Nobody was hurt. Nobody will suffer lifelong trauma. It's just Santa Claus. honestly, sometimes I think the Santa thing is more for the parents than the kids. I get that it's sad when your kids are upset. I do. But man, it's not worth the anguish. Just get over it. Eventually all kids learn there's no Santa.

Keep the myth and the fun going as long as you can! But when the jig is up (for whatever reason) just smile and say "Ah, well we had a good run!".

Been there and done that. Well I have one more to go. And my older 2 know without a doubt that they had not better utter one word about Santa. They actually do go on about him for the younger one.

And really so what if it is for the parents. Sorry but until someone else carries, (or adopts) my child for 9 months, goes through countless hours of painful labor, multiple hours of pushing, mid night feedings and diaper changing, paying for, taking care of, feeding, clothing, sending to college, NO ONE, can tell my kids about Santa, and no one will tell me how to raise my child in this area. What other want to do is fine, but until the above is completed my someone else, Stay the heck out.

I don't care really what others tell their kids, but I know parents that actually have instructed thier child to educate their friends about Santa not being real, and we are talking about kids as young as 6. That is unacceptable, just as what this teacher did, it isn't her business and last time I checked believing in Santa wasn't hurting a child and it isn't illegal.

 

[monkeybug]

I must say, I love the personal jabs that infer I'm a bad parent.
That's the spirit!

Well I DO think you are a bad parent. But it has a lot more to do with the fact that your a Redskins fan than your personal views on Santa...

 

[Dictator]

You realize that you have called just about everyone on this board a liar, right? So, you can insult but others can't respond in kind. When you make ridiculous statements, you have to be prepared for the fallout.

Because when you tell lies, that makes you a liar.