First of all, Asher believes that Santa or his elves can make anything, and therefore Asher should get anything and everything he asks for. When I tell him that Santa will only be bringing him one gift, he rebutts with, but last year Santa brought (some other kid) 5 toys, so why would he only bring me 1? Asher is also excited because he thinks all the orphans in Africa are getting presents from Santa - that Santa can bring them food, clothes, toys, and anything they need to live a better life.
I'm irritated on many levels. First - we are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ. And while it is fun to exchange gifts in the celebration of His amazing birth...... who on the planet has ever said "Oh I love my new diamond necklace in the name of the birth of sweet baby Jesus!" in the same breath? And what child has ever said "hey I got a transformer for Jesus' birthday!"?
The other irritating thing is the sheer competition between parents and Santa. First of all, money is an object. We do not have a Christmas budget. But even if we did have an endless budget.....how does one decide what will be from Santa and what will be from mom and dad? Does Santa automatically get to give the best gifts? I realize that I am competing with a myth, but for now, that myth is real to my kids. If I'm going to spend hard earned money on thoughtful gifts for my kids, I want them to know it is because I love them, not because some overweight jolly man who talks about Ho's thinks they are special. If we let one good gift come from Santa and the other, smaller, not as exciting gifts come from us....well.....that's not fair and I'm in the mood to throw a giant sized temper tantrum about it.
But what of this? This concerns me most of all. In this house, we talk about God on a almost daily basis. We teach our babes about Jesus and encourage their personal relationships. Asher talks to God and prays any time he feels like it. He has never met Jesus. Jesus has certainly not ever left anything for Asher under the Christmas tree. Once a year, we allow stories of Santa to come into our home and we go along with it. But we know Santa isn't real. Right now, to my 6 year old, both Santa and Jesus are real. When he discovers that Santa is not, in fact, real... what will that do to his belief about the other man he has not yet met? It worries me. It bugs me. And in some small way, it is ruining the season for me.
I've got 2 questions for you.
When did you learn the truth about Santa?
If applicable, how did your children find out?
HELP!
Posts
7 comments:
I can sure understand your frustration! I can see all of the things you are saying and they are all very valid.
It is sad that we allow our most precious children to be caught up with all that stuff.
In our family we just always said Santa was just a story and Jesus was the truth. And I don't think it was ever a big deal. But I can see how it could be.. from the things that you said. I just never thought of it that way.
I hope others who read your post will be helped as they see where it can go.
Thanks,
Grandma Linda
Can't remember when/how I learned about "Santa"...but I will tell you that I totally agree w/you. Kyla found out at the tender age of FOUR...that's just because she started asking me "Mama, is Santa real?"... I would then reply, What do you think... for awhile, she would buy it and go on...but then another week would come and she'd ask the same question...until one time she flat out cornered me... TELL ME THE TRUTH MAMA... well, I had to...and I have ALWAYS told my girli the truth about EVERYTHING... its the best thing for your children. Regardless of what WE think... just my opinion... xoxooxox
I feel the same way about my kid believing in Jesus...
I get frustrated with the Santa thing, though I have to admit the milk and cookies part is pretty fun. But how DO you explain why other kids got more (or less? or nothing?)?
And why should Santa get to give the coolest gifts? We were just deciding which gifts to give from Santa, and I said, "No WAY he's giving the bike."
I'm with ocdism; as soon as Allyson asks me straight out I'm going to have to tell her the truth.
As to when I found out.... My family never really talked about Santa Claus. We knew Christmas was about Jesus and that Mom and Dad bought the presents--and saved and sacrificed to do it. So I was one of the dream wreckers in Kindergarten.
My son believed until he was ten! Or at least he claimed to. But at age ten he noticed that some of the stuff under the tree had been in the garage, and he said, "Hey!" Now he's really into keeping the story going with his little sister.
I think I was in second grade when I found out the truth about Santa. Someone at school told me the truth and how she had discovered her toys. When I confronted my parents, they told me the truth.
I'm probably the odd man out here, but why can't our children question if Jesus is real? Isn't it our job to teach them the truth but let them have questions? I think a lot of adults could use more faith in Jesus but I doubt it has anything to do with finding out the truth about Santa.
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