Al - One of our kids is a natural skeptic. We talked vaguely about Santa but didn't make a big deal out of it. Joel weighed up the evidence when he was 4 and decided that the whole santa story was absolutely ridiculous. Since then, there has been no Santa in our house. Joel is a Santa hater - not for fundy Xn reasons, but because he thinks that anyone who could swallow such a story must be stupid.
So, no. We don't have Santa. But I've no problem with people who do while their kids are little. Seems a bit silly, though, for primary school parents to be insisting that Santa is real. Time to move on, I think.
At the same time, the EVERYTHING IS BAD christian reaction is stupid too.
We've not really spoken to little e about Santa. Up until yesterday she thought he was called The Snowman. We went along with it, for kicks.
My personal view is, make a big deal about how he's NOT REAL NOT REAL NOT REALL!!! and your kids will wonder why your so angsty about the guy, and decide to become his disciple, just to spite you. Be blase about him, treat him like a character, neither good nor bad, and they'll take him for that.
Simone. We have 3 kids: 2, 4 and 6. They think that Santa is real although we've done nothing to encourage that (or discourage it in a fundy way). The 4 and 6 year old wonder how he can be omnipresent for the weeks leading up to Christmas so I think their belief in Santa is more wishful thinking than stubborn belief.
Stockings are put out on Christmas Eve. And 2 or 3 small presents are in them in the morning for each child. They are under no misapprehension that the day is about Jesus not Santa. And there is no threat of "you'd better be good or else Santa won't come" either which makes me mad.
I actually like the imagination/myth/fantasy thing. Tolkien and Lewis have helped me feel better about it. (The tooth fairy comes to our place too, btw).
I agree completely with what Ben says. We have a very loose relationship with Santa. We treat him like a character from a book. That's how we describe him to the kids anyway. They make the rest up for themselves.
I'm with Al. Santa's out there, but he doesn't feature much in our family. We do emphasis that presents are from people who love you (and giving them to people you love). I guess living in Japan we've avoided some of the Santa-mania. Our 4 y.o. has been a bit shocked to see him actually walking and talking on a couple of occasions!
Nathan takes this stuff really seriously. He posted this last year for our edification.
Just to clarify - I found that, I didn't make it...
ReplyDeleteI thought it was your work! I was impressed.
ReplyDeleteDo you have santa at your house, Simone?
ReplyDeleteSufjan Stevens has a song 'Get behind me Santa!'
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine fellow he is.
Al - One of our kids is a natural skeptic. We talked vaguely about Santa but didn't make a big deal out of it. Joel weighed up the evidence when he was 4 and decided that the whole santa story was absolutely ridiculous. Since then, there has been no Santa in our house. Joel is a Santa hater - not for fundy Xn reasons, but because he thinks that anyone who could swallow such a story must be stupid.
ReplyDeleteSo, no. We don't have Santa. But I've no problem with people who do while their kids are little. Seems a bit silly, though, for primary school parents to be insisting that Santa is real. Time to move on, I think.
At the same time, the EVERYTHING IS BAD christian reaction is stupid too.
Do you have Santa?
Andrew - I'm enjoying the song. Others might like to listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c28Al4g30bo
ReplyDeletehttp://christmasxmas.xanga.com/682636456/item/
ReplyDelete:D
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ReplyDeleteWe've not really spoken to little e about Santa. Up until yesterday she thought he was called The Snowman. We went along with it, for kicks.
ReplyDeleteMy personal view is, make a big deal about how he's NOT REAL NOT REAL NOT REALL!!! and your kids will wonder why your so angsty about the guy, and decide to become his disciple, just to spite you. Be blase about him, treat him like a character, neither good nor bad, and they'll take him for that.
Simone. We have 3 kids: 2, 4 and 6. They think that Santa is real although we've done nothing to encourage that (or discourage it in a fundy way). The 4 and 6 year old wonder how he can be omnipresent for the weeks leading up to Christmas so I think their belief in Santa is more wishful thinking than stubborn belief.
ReplyDeleteStockings are put out on Christmas Eve. And 2 or 3 small presents are in them in the morning for each child. They are under no misapprehension that the day is about Jesus not Santa. And there is no threat of "you'd better be good or else Santa won't come" either which makes me mad.
I actually like the imagination/myth/fantasy thing. Tolkien and Lewis have helped me feel better about it. (The tooth fairy comes to our place too, btw).
I agree completely with what Ben says. We have a very loose relationship with Santa. We treat him like a character from a book. That's how we describe him to the kids anyway. They make the rest up for themselves.
Wow. I loathe Santa. Colour me fundy. I never thought I'd see the day!
ReplyDeleteColour-me-fundy! Love it. I think we need a blog with that title! Who wants to make it?
ReplyDeleteAl and Ben. Agree.
Anika - yes. It's BAD.
I'm with Al. Santa's out there, but he doesn't feature much in our family. We do emphasis that presents are from people who love you (and giving them to people you love). I guess living in Japan we've avoided some of the Santa-mania. Our 4 y.o. has been a bit shocked to see him actually walking and talking on a couple of occasions!
ReplyDelete