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

[SereneOne]

There is no reason for Santa to be mentioned at all. No reason to debate the belief in him what so ever. So, it doesn't really matter what YOU feel about 7 year olds or 12 year olds. The simple solution is not to discuss it. This teacher should have know that.

There are many cats that a teacher has no business "letting out of the bag".

BTW, 7 is hardly the age when they stop believing. For many kids this is during the age group that they are the most excited about his visit. They tend to no longer have any fear of him and are able to enjoy seeing him, writing him letters (something they are now able to do themselves), talking to him, and the excitement of Christmas eve and putting out cooking and milk.

WORD!

My daughter turned seven the beginning of Oct and her and her classmates in the first grade very much believe in Santa. And so what if they do? It is no one elses business or "job" to set them straight. I also have four children in their twenties and they believed up until about ten or eleven. God forbid we allow some magic or fun into the life of a child, the world might end.

 

[FayeW]

OP, any updates? Did your co-worker say anything to the teacher, or to the church administration?

 

[aaarcher86]

I couldn't even make it through page 2 of this thread before getting irritated. How is anyone actually sticking up for this teacher?

I get it - it's a religious class. There should have been no mention of Santa then. No telling children he doesn't exist, just stick with Jesus. Problem solved. The teacher went out of her way to inform these kids that Santa isn't real. Really?

Both of my children attend a catholic preschool. I didn't expect them to get the kids excited for Santa coming on Christmas Eve. However, today I picked up my youngest and there is a 'Santa wish list' on the door with each child's name and what they want most for Christmas. It was adorable. Just because it's religious doesn't mean Santa has to die. You don't have to take one away to teach about the other.

Kids believing in Santa is fun for kids. Who is it hurting? At (almost) 5 years old my daughter is finally getting into the excitement of Santa. These are the best years for the surprise of presents under the tree, and the look on their faces when Santa has brought them what they want. You don't have to take away a child's imagination. What's the big deal if a CHILD believes in Santa, unicorns, fairies, pots of gold at the end of rainbows, etc. What do we want them thinking about all the time at this age? College? Their careers? Let's give them a teensy amount of time to be kids and imaginative, eh?

 

[lillygator]

well, isn't Santa as real as some other ones people look up to?

 

[mickaholic4077]

Hey, Santa is real!!! I had my picture taken with him and the missus last Saturday at Wal-Mart!!

 

[Tiggeriffic79]

That's the main point here! Not the age of the child, the religious beliefs, the belief in Santa!

A person in authority called parents liars, this is what is outrageous, this is what is a sackable offence! Undermining the parent is a serious issue, and you would be a pretty bad parent if you undermined the teacher.

If you told any child or adult for that matter 'that person is a liar' some faith in that person is lost. Doubly so when it comes from someone who is in an authoritative role.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Sorry I didn't respond until now. I was on vacation at WDW until yesterday so didn't see my coworker until today. They had a meeting with the teacher, head of the CCD and five parents. At first he denied it, but then admitted it and was willing to step down if they wanted. They just said he could not talk about santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc. and just direct the kids to their parents.

 

[ICF]

IMO, the fact that he initially tried to lie about doing it should have gotten him dismissed...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

IMO, the fact that he initially tried to lie about doing it should have gotten him dismissed...

Amen.

 

[JoiseyMom]

imo, the fact that he initially tried to lie about doing it should have gotten him dismissed...

ita!!

 

[golfgal]

IMO, the fact that he initially tried to lie about doing it should have gotten him dismissed...

I agree, lying in church is kind of a bad thing

 

[JoiseyMom]

Amazing that an adult would do that. We are Jewish, and of course don't celebrate Christmas and my kids know that Santa is pretend. I just had this conversation with my DS9 not to mention this in school. He goes to public school and I don't want him to burst the bubble of kids that do believe.

I once had an issue when DS was 3 and in private pre-school. He said something to another child. The mother was not happy. I looked at her and siad, umm.... you are Jewish right?? She said Yes. Your DH is Jewish, right? Yes, but I don't want my kids to feel left out so we do Christmas . I was floored and dumbfounded. I did not apologize, but said to her, you cannot expect another 3 year old attending a private JEWISH pre-school to say that Santa is real!!