Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny

[pixiegirl]

2A brought this up the other day and I've been thinking a lot on it. My brother doesn't believe in telling his kids about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the like because he doesn't "believe" in lying to his kids. I think that's a totally bogus reason. I'll lie like hell to my kids if I think it does them some good. When one of my kids is 12 and asks me if I ever did drugs in my life I'm sure as hell going to tell them no and do it with a straight face. Reason being that I used my father's honesty to exploit my parents. "Well dad did it when he was young and he turned out just fine." Lying to your kids is sometimes a must.

That's not the justification behind this thread though. 2A cited religious reasons and taking away from the real meaning of the holidays. Well the Tooth Fairy is automatically disqualified because there is no tooth holiday.

I guess I just don't understand the problem with telling your kids there's a Santa and Easter Bunny as long as you also teach them the real meanings behind the holidays. I think it's borderline cruel not only to your child but to other children to exclude them that's so socially acceptable. God help the parents of the 5 year old that tells my 5 year old that their mommy and daddy said there was no Santa. Kids talk and tell each other things. How did you find out there was no Santa? I was 6 and my 10 year old brother told me. God was never taken out of the holidays for us. We went to church year round not just on special occasions. My mom always had a manger scene up. I knew what Christmas was about. My 3 year old will tell you that it's Jesus's birthday even though he's really not old enough to grasp it.

 

[donbarzini]

I agree. The "worst" Christmases I had were the ones right after we told each of the kids the truth. The absolute stupification and awe on their faces when the came downstairs was missing. Now it's: "Hey Dad, can I get the new model of Gameboy?" or "I need a pair of Timberlands cause Jill or Susan are getting them too.". Ho Ho Ho my a$$. Give me back the days when their adrenaline was running so high that their eyes looked like one-arm bandits on overload.

 

[aps45819]

Dear Editor:
I am 8 years old. Some of my friends say there is no Santa Clause. Papa says “If you see it in the Sun, it is so.” Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Clause?
Virginia O’Hanlon

Dear Virginia:
Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except that which they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little.
In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Clause. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.
There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existance. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not to believe in Santa Clause! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Clause, but even if you did not see Santa Clause coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Clause, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Clause.
The most real things in the world are those that neither children or men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that'’ no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in this world.
You can tear apart the baby’s rattle to see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.
Only faith, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Clause? Thank God he lives, and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Francis P. Church, Editor, New York Sun, 1897

 

[suzeQ]

Talk to an adult who was not allowed to enjoy the fun of Santa and Easter Bunny as a child, and you will have no problem deciding what to do.
I know a man who is 31 now and still resents his parents not letting him enjoy the fantasies. His friends believed and talked about it all the time. He just thought Santa and the Easter Bunny didn't like him. He still believed, based on his friends' experiences, but couldn't express himself at home because his parents told him those things were lies. I would never deprive my children of such fun parts of childhood.

 

[PJay]

I agree with what 2A said.

Kids get too much these days. One reason they grow to be ungrateful brats.

My best Christmas came one blizzard day snuggled close to a fireplace listening to christmas carols on a battery radio. The electric had died, also there was no money for gifts that year. It was so quiet, so peaceful that day... like snowy days are, but there was a meaning, fulfillment I can't put into words here.

I wish for everyone a day like that.

 

[pixiegirl]

I agree with what 2A said.

Kids get too much these days. One reason they grow to be ungratful brats.

My best Christmas came one blizzard day snuggled close to a fireplace listening to christmas carols on a battery radio. The electric had died, also there was no money for gifts that year. It was so quiet, so peaceful that day... like snowy days are, but there was a meaning, fulfillment I can't put into words here.

I wish for everyone a day like that.

Way to stay on topic. This wasn't about how much kids get it's about Santa and religion.

 

[Tonio]

Here's an analogy about Santa--Disney has a strict policy of not letting its costumed "cast members" appear in the parks half-costumed, such as with the Goofy head off. Sure, everyone over the age of 8 or so knows that there are actors inside those costumes. But Disney's policy is grounded in the notion of escapism. The company wants to preserve the aura of the parks as magical places. Not much different from the point of the famous New York Sun piece that Aps quoted.

 

[PJay]

Way to stay on topic. This wasn't about how much kids get it's about Santa and religion.

Sorry you did not understand my post.

Let me make it short for you.

The santa thing should be stopped.

Happy now?

 

[BadGirl]

Sorry you did not understand my post.

Let me make it short for you.

The santa thing should be stopped.

Happy now?

No it shouldn't. I think it is cute for kids to believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause. Heck, it was just a few years ago that I found out the truth, and I've not been the same since.

 

[slotted]

But it is okay to fill their head with this nonsense of a great sky-daddy watching over them.

 

[BadGirl]

But it is okay to fill their head with this nonsense of a great sky-daddy watching over them.

Why sure! Guys lied to me all the time with great nonsense and I always believed them. And you can see how well and adjusted I turned out.

 

[itsbob]

generation after Generation have been told the stories of the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus, and some have gone on to be world leaders.. I don't see the harm in seeing the light in their eyes on Christmas Morning, and the disbelief on how did he get down the chimney... If you've ever had a three year old come down the stairs on Christmas Morning to see if Santa ate any of the cookies, or if Rudolf ate the carrot without any concern about the loot, you'll know what I mean. It's a memory I'll take to my grave and always remember with a smile.

 

[slotted]

Why sure! Guys lied to me all the time with great nonsense and I always believed them. And you can see how well and adjusted I turned out.

Bob, got him a winner!

My above post wasn't directed towards you, but more to the hypocrisy of their lie being better than someone elses.

 

[BadGirl]

Bob, got him a winner!

My above post wasn't directed towards you, but more to the hypocrisy of their lie being better than someone elses.

No offense taken.

I've got some pretty good lies that I can toss your way. Want to hear them?

 

[Nickel]

No it shouldn't. I think it is cute for kids to believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause.

and

generation after Generation have been told the stories of the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus, and some have gone on to be world leaders.. I don't see the harm in seeing the light in their eyes on Christmas Morning, and the disbelief on how did he get down the chimney... If you've ever had a three year old come down the stairs on Christmas Morning to see if Santa ate any of the cookies, or if Rudolf ate the carrot without any concern about the loot, you'll know what I mean. It's a memory I'll take to my grave and always remember with a smile.

Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny aren't hurting or hindering anyone. First of all, it's a good way to get a small child who is perhaps too young to understand the true meaning behind the holiday, excited about the day. As they grow, and they learn the true spirit of Christmas and Easter, their love for the holiday evolves. Second, I believe that it helps a child develop an imagination.

As my brothers and I grew up, we received the same amount of gifts, we just knew they were from our parents rather than Santa Claus. We were, and are, far from being spoiled. As far as religion goes, my mother is very active in our church, and we have always been raised knowing what Christmas and Easter are about, but we also received Santa/Easter Bunny gifts. Kids grow up way too fast these days, and if they can hold onto some little part of childhood, I think it's great.

 

[morganj614]

But it is okay to fill their head with this nonsense of a great sky-daddy watching over them.

It all boils down to personal choice of how you want your kids to be raised. Parents lie to their kids all the time for their well being and happiness. Nonsense is part of being a kid and whether you lie about religion, Santa, etc., or what you did yourself while growing up, you do the best you can for your children in your own way .
I believe in Santa because I love the fantasy just as others don't question religion because it is easier that way.
Look at BadGirl, she is fine except for that strange tic.

 

[aps45819]

Sorry you did not understand my post.

Let me make it short for you.

The santa thing should be stopped.

Happy now?

Yes I am and part of the reason is because I believe what was in my previous post. If you object to Santa Clause on religous grounds, go with St. Nicolaus
If you're just to much of a cheap ba$tard to get your kids Christmas presents, I believe there's a special place reserved for you in he11

 

[K_Jo]

Yes I am and part of the reason is because I believe what was in my previous post. If you object to Santa Clause on religous grounds, go with St. Nicolaus
If you're just to much of a cheap ba$tard to get your kids Christmas presents, I believe there's a special place reserved for you in he11

:iheartaps:

 

[Dupontster]

O.....M....G....You mean to tell me that there is NOT a Santa Clause?????????
I going to kill myself right now....Good Bye all....

 

[CMC122]

I can't wait for Christmas on the Square