- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
The Santa Myth
One Mom Shares Her Views on Santa
By Kelly Burgess
"Knowing the truth made Richard much easier in his mind," says Young. "He still gets very excited about Santa, along with the other two, but that element of disappointment has been removed."
Ganster, too, made sure from the very beginning that her three children understood that they were not allowed to share their knowledge about Santa with others. Since they also opted out of the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, that rule went across the board, and it was never broken – except once.
"One day we were at a friend's house, and her little girl was showing my son the money she'd gotten from the Tooth Fairy," recalls Ganster. "My son, unthinkingly, told her there that her parents had given her that money. She looked at him incredulously and said, 'Oh, right. As if my parents would be smart enough to think up something like this.' I had a good laugh, but then I did have a talk with Kenton later and reminded him of our rule."
There's certainly no harm in the Santa myth. Centuries of Santa have proven that – but there's no harm in not perpetuating it either. However, it's an issue that is best decided upon very early – preferably before your children are even born. Whether it's for reasons of religion, practicality or honesty, believing in Santa may – or may not be – right for your family.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Re: The Santa Myth by anonymous on 12/22/2009 02:59PM
I have always had a hard time with Santa. I grew up without Christmas for religious reasons, but now I love the holiday and both of my children (5 and 8) believe in Santa. My 8 yr old daughter has been asking me about the tooth fairy and Santa because kids at school are telling her that it is just her parents. I have been turning the question around on her; Do you believe? I tell her I still believe in magic and I hope I always do. I have always wondered if kids felt betrayed for being lied to. I hope my kids don't feel that way.