By posting this I don't expect anymore than the entrenched attitudes of either side to take issue or give credence. It is just a

statement by myself and doesn't need to be debated. Whatever you post as a response will probably only incite someone that

has an alternate view and will achieve next to nothing. Having said that, out there somewhere, is a father or mother that is

contemplating lying to their children. Maybe this will influence their decision to tell the truth.

I didn’t ever teach my children that Santa was real. However I also impressed upon them, that they did not need to divulge that

reality to those that had contrary views. In return I never had a sense that they regretted knowing that truth. Conversely they

indicated to me that as they walked amongst the deluded they felt a sense of empowerment. As one who walks with insight and

knowledge they carried themselves through the throngs of the deceived knowing in time that their truth would be revealed.

Good onya Grinch!

Good on YOU Pitbull. Your inference is unfounded however because I love Christmas. The true Christmas.

How do you know Santa isn't real?

You don't

Maybe YOU'RE the deluded individual and everyone else is the knowledgeable

I'm 21 and am a believer, and because of that I still get presents

I bet you don't

You may have a point there Hadyn 24,.......except no, you don't.

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elbeau said..
You may have a point there Hadyn 24,.......except no, you don't.

Don't I?

Well you took many years of joy away from your kids

Just to be truthful, I think the spirit of christmas forgives telling white lies to children

Now they are the odd ones out

Your assumption that my children had no joy at Christmas is inane.
Your misguided assertion that lying to your children has some integrity is asinine.

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elbeau said..
Your assumption that my children had no joy at Christmas is inane.
Your misguided assertion that lying to your children has some integrity is asinine.

Goodluck going through raising your children without telling a single lie

Never said your kids have no joy at christmas, but really, it must be a bit ruined now

May as well tell a lie to bring *more* joy at christmas time

Damn seabreeze doesn't have synonyms, I don't know what those complex words you use mean.

Looks like something I did in maths once

That is all I wish to say on this subject for now.

Hey kids. Santas not real. BORRRRRRR-IINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG
In reality, it's not a lie at all, what kids look back on their childhood and think "my parents lied to me?" I'll tell u how many. -NONE.
They all think "5h!t Xmas was fun when I was young."

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elbeau said..
That is all I wish to say on this subject for now.

But you didn't say anything?

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Unhook3d said..
Hey kids. Santas not real. BORRRRRRR-IINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG
In reality, it's not a lie at all, what kids look back on their childhood and think "my parents lied to me?" I'll tell u how many. -NONE.
They all think "5h!t Xmas was fun when I was young."

I agree!

Nothing says holiday cheer like exploiting a child's confidence in their parents to essentially play a several year long prank at their expense.

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TheWolf said..
Nothing says holiday cheer like exploiting a child's confidence in their parents to essentially play a several year long prank at their expense.

At their expense??????

I think it's the opposite of their expense!

They LOVE it

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TheWolf said...
Nothing says holiday cheer like exploiting a child's confidence in their parents to essentially play a several year long prank at their expense.

So if it's exploitation, wouldn't the children ultimately be disappointed in the parents actions once the truth is reveal after said several years? And in turn the would be many proven instances of this? And possibly severe cases?
-show me these children.

Elbeau - why did you not allow them to indulge in the fairytale, then tell them later?

I wonder why you don't mention why?

Did u do the same with the easter bunny, tooth fairy etc?

Geeze hayden,

I just bagged you in the other thread and in this one I could not agree with you more, well played!

Not that my opinion matters ;)

GT

Come on guys,,,I mean,,seriously now,

If Santa wasnt born on the 25th of December, we wouldnt even have xmas.
And if Santa wasnt hung on a cross till he died, then came back to life 3 days later reincarnated as a rabbit, there would be no easter.

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Mark _australia said..
Elbeau - why did you not allow them to indulge in the fairytale, then tell them later?

I wonder why you don't mention why?

Did u do the same with the easter bunny, tooth fairy etc?

Good question Mark. In time all my children came to me with serious questions relating to Drugs, sex, relationships etc. They KNEW that I would deal with those questions honestly because of my past assertions re the tooth fairy, Easter bunny etc. The truth is very easy to tell. Once you establish honesty with your children (or anyone else) there is a trust that develops. I must emphasise my kids loved Christmas and Easter etc. The bonus was they KNEW the truth. I certainly want to know the truth of things. Don't you?

So when your kids were 2 y/o you made a conscious decision to not do the fables as one day they'd come to you with drugs n sex issues? Wow big step. Glad most parents did, otherwise 99% of us would be drug addict prostitutes I guess?

Did you also dis-allow all movies, TV, storybooks etc? All fiction?
Sorry I don't see the connection. When they are old enough to figure it out, the big issues are a long way off and I don't see belief in childish things precludes understanding of adult issues later. Else, wouldn't all the child psychs be warning against fairytales...?

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Mark _australia said..
So when your kids were 2 y/o you made a conscious decision to not do the fables as one day they'd come to you with drugs n sex issues? Wow big step. Glad most parents did, otherwise 99% of us would be drug addict prostitutes I guess?

Did you also dis-allow all movies, TV, storybooks etc? All fiction?
Sorry I don't see the connection. When they are old enough to figure it out, the big issues are a long way off and I don't see belief in childish things precludes understanding of adult issues later. Else, wouldn't all the child psychs be warning against fairytales...?

When my kids were 2 y/o I made the conscious decision to be honest with them. Everything else followed from that.

"By posting this I don't expect anymore than the entrenched attitudes of either side to take issue or give credence. It is just a statement by myself and doesn't need to be debated. Whatever you post as a response will probably only incite someone that has an alternate view and will achieve next to nothing."

You just wait until Santa comes down my chimney this crismiss. I'm telling on you,.. and he will give you a lump of coal instead of something nice.
And then see how you feel.
ohh,.. i spose i better add

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elbeau said... I love Christmas. The true Christmas.

There is no truth behind Christmas. There is no jesus, there is no virgin mary who had a child without having sex, there is no holy spirit and there are no wise men on camels.. I hope you told them that as well. It's all a made up story by people who need a reason to celebrate their imaginary friend. Steak and BJ day and talk like a pirate day are no different. Just made up days.

Also rudolf is either make believe or a transgender reindeer. When i was feeding reindeer in the wilds of Alaska just recently, i learnt that males don't have antlers at christmas time. Another hole in the story!

But put all that real world crap aside, i loved my dad staying up late with me waiting for santa to arrive and telling me stories about how he saw him and even gave santa his beer(!) after i fell asleep. Kids have got to be kids and I can't wait to have those special moments with mine

A family up the road from me obviously lived with the thoughts you do elbeau
I was about 6 or 7 when my play mate of this family told me Santa was not the present giving guy I thought he was
I remember saying well thats not true...lol... she said, ask my mum, which I did...and the mother was very descriptive in telling me
that Santa did not come on Xmas day...

I REALLY wish I had a few more years with the innocents of presents coming down my chimney, I loved the anticipation
of Santa, it bought such joy to my heart, mind and imagination. I'd still love to believe now

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elbeau said..

Mark _australia said..
So when your kids were 2 y/o you made a conscious decision to not do the fables as one day they'd come to you with drugs n sex issues? Wow big step. Glad most parents did, otherwise 99% of us would be drug addict prostitutes I guess?

Did you also dis-allow all movies, TV, storybooks etc? All fiction?
Sorry I don't see the connection. When they are old enough to figure it out, the big issues are a long way off and I don't see belief in childish things precludes understanding of adult issues later. Else, wouldn't all the child psychs be warning against fairytales...?

When my kids were 2 y/o I made the conscious decision to be honest with them. Everything else followed from that.

I'd love to hear what you said when they asked about babies, at say 3 -5 years old.

Let kids be kids, stuff is a gradual progression so surely there's no need to be quite so pedantic from the outset. I don't think anyone was harmed by believing in Santa then finding out it was childhood fantasy.

The part I struggle with as a parent, is why would I want to spend my hard earned money on presents for my kids and then give some fat bloke all the credit?

My youngest niece has reached the age where she is old enough to understand the concept of Santa, even though she has had more than her fair share of presents up until now.

The look on her face when she is told about being a good girl so Santa will deliver presents is priceless. This 'magic' for her is incredible. I would never take that away from her, although I have to admit I get as much fun from teasing her about Santa not bring her presents if she is naughty.

Let the children have their fun is what I say.

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mick14 said..
The part I struggle with as a parent, is why would I want to spend my hard earned money on presents for my kids and then give some fat bloke all the credit?

Why would I get the credit?

You cannot be normal Elbeau, if you are exercising your free will.

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sotired said..
My youngest niece has reached the age where she is old enough to understand the concept of Santa, even though she has had more than her fair share of presents up until now.

The look on her face when she is told about being a good girl so Santa will deliver presents is priceless. This 'magic' for her is incredible. I would never take that away from her, although I have to admit I get as much fun from teasing her about Santa not bring her presents if she is naughty.

Let the children have their fun is what I say.

Try the look on her face when you say..

"Uncle SoTired has watched you this whole year, watched you discover, watched you smile and laugh, watched you love your daddy, your mama and your brothers and sisters. And you know what? Your Uncle SoTired is sooo very proud of you, that I would like to give you a gift, many gifts, because at this time of year we celebrate our love for each other, and I love you dearly."

I bet you 1 Million Dollars her reaction is even better!

I agree with all those that think Santa should not be part of the Christmas celebration. Ho farking ho.

Oh, merry Christmas all...