Am I a scrouge to have told my kids about Santa being mom and dad? I actually feel a lot better about things this Christmas without the Santa focus.
I did tell my kids that if other children at school believe in Santa they shouldn't try to tell them he's not real because Santa is real (really your parents) and the kid's parents should tell them about Santa whenever they choose to.
Kaerlig, you are the one person about whom, when I wrote that essay, I thought, "I hope she doesn't take this the wrong way." Because I really loved how you explained things to your kids.
I didn't realize that what I had to say on the matter would bring out such fierce feelings in people. Perhaps I should have submitted it to Segullah.
Mine came out quite harsh, I guess I should have given a bit more about my opinion, it really upsets me when a ward bends to the will of one person, especially in such cases like having Santa at the Christmas party. ~C
I like your view on things. I honestly don't even remember how long I believed in Santa, and I don't remember anyone telling me the truth about him. I think I just kind of figured it out as I got older, and I was never mad at anyone for lying to me! :o)
I also like the idea of 3 gifts, representative of Jesus' gifts. I remember when you told me that tradition and I immediately decided to make it one in my home too, even though I don't have kids yet!
I loved your post. I'm too lazy to create a name/password on that site....but thought I'd tell you - I loved what you had to say.
It drives me crazy when people get offended at things like Christmas or Santa. Just because you don't like it - don't spoil it for everyone else. It's like many things... just because you don't want to say Merry Christmas - don't. Just because you don't like saying the pledge, don't. Just because you don't believe marriage is between one man and one woman - then don't do it. Sorry... couldn't help that last one. ;-) Ok, could, but didn't.
Listen, I'm not Irish - but I have no problem with people believing in St. Patty's day...with the pot-o-gold too. I have no problem with lighting the menorah...I think it's pretty and lovely. I don't have a problem with Kawanzaa... etc...
I think the world would be a better place with the symbols of what Christmas truly is. If you want Santa to be a symbol of Christ's goodness... you can. If you want it to represent materialize...also a choice you make. That's what life is... choices.
Anywho... I like Christmas and... SANTA is COMING to my HOUSE! HO HO HO.
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated your post on LRS. I wanted to leave a comment there, but honestly did not feel like taking on the backlash. Normally I am up for it, but not today.
You could not have expressed those thoughts any more perfectly than you did. Really, it was fantastic! I was somewhat taken aback as I read how irate some of the readers were. It was as though they have to sell themselves on their ideas as well as convincing the rest of us. It is baffling to me why, when people make a decision for their family, they have to push it on everyone else. From some of the comments I read, it unfortunately seems as though common sense is a rare commodity these days.
Frankly, I have more faith in my parenting and in my children, than to think that they will be scarred and not have a testimony of our Savior because I let them believe in Santa.
Ok, I will stop now. Sorry to have written so much. I just wanted to say thank you for a terrific post. It was truly appreciated!
I don't like Santa getting all the credit for gifts when I want my kids to know that it's because of the blessings of the Lord that we have so much.
I have a friend who has never introduced Santa to her children. They secret Santa each other from a very young age.
Since I did introduce Santa (and I don't hate him) I let my children believe as long as they want. I am goooood. My oldest was in 8th grade before we decided that he probably should know. Next two made it to 7th grade before their friends convinced them. My youngest is 11 1/2 and still believes. All this and we do a sub-for-santa every year with our children's involvement.
I'm with you on the tone used when discussing Christ and Santa being vastly different.
Non of my older children have ever felt the need to inform the younger children that mom and dad are Santa. Santa is real. I am Santa at my house. I am real. That's my story and I"m sticking to it.
BTW- I just moved from your stake and there is a nice neighborhood that we moved to that you would love. I enjoyed working with your hubs in Young Mens (I was on the ward level.)
I never bring up santa during Christmas. I focus so much on the Savior, so my kids know him more. Plus, everytime we see santa live, my kids ask me why he looks so different-shoes, hair, beard, etc.. They figured out on their own that he isnt real.
12 comments:
Enjoyed your post over there, I probably came off onerier (sp?) than I meant in my response :)
~C
Poor kiddo in that picture.
Am I a scrouge to have told my kids about Santa being mom and dad? I actually feel a lot better about things this Christmas without the Santa focus.
I did tell my kids that if other children at school believe in Santa they shouldn't try to tell them he's not real because Santa is real (really your parents) and the kid's parents should tell them about Santa whenever they choose to.
Kaerlig, you are the one person about whom, when I wrote that essay, I thought, "I hope she doesn't take this the wrong way." Because I really loved how you explained things to your kids.
I didn't realize that what I had to say on the matter would bring out such fierce feelings in people. Perhaps I should have submitted it to Segullah.
I have to admit I was a little startled about the fierceness (as you put it) too but I loved it. Well done. As usual. :)
Mine came out quite harsh, I guess I should have given a bit more about my opinion, it really upsets me when a ward bends to the will of one person, especially in such cases like having Santa at the Christmas party.
~C
I like your view on things. I honestly don't even remember how long I believed in Santa, and I don't remember anyone telling me the truth about him. I think I just kind of figured it out as I got older, and I was never mad at anyone for lying to me! :o)
I also like the idea of 3 gifts, representative of Jesus' gifts. I remember when you told me that tradition and I immediately decided to make it one in my home too, even though I don't have kids yet!
I loved your post. I'm too lazy to create a name/password on that site....but thought I'd tell you - I loved what you had to say.
It drives me crazy when people get offended at things like Christmas or Santa. Just because you don't like it - don't spoil it for everyone else. It's like many things... just because you don't want to say Merry Christmas - don't. Just because you don't like saying the pledge, don't. Just because you don't believe marriage is between one man and one woman - then don't do it. Sorry... couldn't help that last one. ;-) Ok, could, but didn't.
Listen, I'm not Irish - but I have no problem with people believing in St. Patty's day...with the pot-o-gold too. I have no problem with lighting the menorah...I think it's pretty and lovely. I don't have a problem with Kawanzaa... etc...
I think the world would be a better place with the symbols of what Christmas truly is. If you want Santa to be a symbol of Christ's goodness... you can. If you want it to represent materialize...also a choice you make. That's what life is... choices.
Anywho... I like Christmas and... SANTA is COMING to my HOUSE! HO HO HO.
my fingers forgot to type... "materialism"
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated your post on LRS. I wanted to leave a comment there, but honestly did not feel like taking on the backlash. Normally I am up for it, but not today.
You could not have expressed those thoughts any more perfectly than you did. Really, it was fantastic! I was somewhat taken aback as I read how irate some of the readers were. It was as though they have to sell themselves on their ideas as well as convincing the rest of us. It is baffling to me why, when people make a decision for their family, they have to push it on everyone else. From some of the comments I read, it unfortunately seems as though common sense is a rare commodity these days.
Frankly, I have more faith in my parenting and in my children, than to think that they will be scarred and not have a testimony of our Savior because I let them believe in Santa.
Ok, I will stop now. Sorry to have written so much. I just wanted to say thank you for a terrific post. It was truly appreciated!
that is hilarious, rec and i couldnt stop laughing. it reminds me of the jack handy "thought" about disney land..hahaha so funny
I don't like Santa getting all the credit for gifts when I want my kids to know that it's because of the blessings of the Lord that we have so much.
I have a friend who has never introduced Santa to her children. They secret Santa each other from a very young age.
Since I did introduce Santa (and I don't hate him) I let my children believe as long as they want. I am goooood. My oldest was in 8th grade before we decided that he probably should know. Next two made it to 7th grade before their friends convinced them. My youngest is 11 1/2 and still believes. All this and we do a sub-for-santa every year with our children's involvement.
I'm with you on the tone used when discussing Christ and Santa being vastly different.
Non of my older children have ever felt the need to inform the younger children that mom and dad are Santa. Santa is real. I am Santa at my house. I am real. That's my story and I"m sticking to it.
BTW- I just moved from your stake and there is a nice neighborhood that we moved to that you would love. I enjoyed working with your hubs in Young Mens (I was on the ward level.)
I never bring up santa during Christmas. I focus so much on the Savior, so my kids know him more. Plus, everytime we see santa live, my kids ask me why he looks so different-shoes, hair, beard, etc.. They figured out on their own that he isnt real.
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