It must be the holiday season because most of the blogs that I read rarely have new posts. I probably fall under that category too.
I've been thinking a lot about Santa recently and different parents' theories of Santa and the ages of discovery about Santa and that sort of thing. And here's my take:
We'll do the Santa thing. We'll take the kids to visit Santa. We'll have them write letters if they so desire. But Santa only brings mediocre gifts. The good gifts come from Mom and Dad. And when the kids are done believing in Santa, we'll be okay with that. I don't want my kids pretending to believe in Santa until they are 16 because they are worried they won't get presents. And I don't want Santa to get the credit for the cool things I get the kids.
And I don't believe the idea that if kids believe in Santa they may think Jesus isn't real. With that argument, you may as well get rid of ALL fictional characters, because it's pretty much the same thing. I've heard a story of a kid who told his mom, "If we pray, then God will send Superman to help us." All fictional characters can confuse kids because kids have a hard time understanding the difference between real and pretend. I understand the argument that Santa distracts from the true reason of the holiday, but I think EVERYTHING distracts from the true reason for the holiday. Nixing Santa isn't in my plans.
Hopefully Eric and I will find a balance and enjoy watching our little ones wonder about Santa but still not get carried away with the gimme-gimme aspects of Christmas.
2 comments:
I agree with you, Sherry. I don't have strong feelings about telling or not telling our kids about Santa, and I certainly don't think it's something that will disillusion them religiously.
When Sherry was very little the best gifts came from Santa, as She and her brother got older, then the best gift came from Dad and Mom. Santa gifts became the gifts not really worth wraping but nice to have, or things every one really needs, but are cheap. And every one put things in each others stocking. It was fun for every one.
Post a Comment