The Santa myth: harmless fun, or a myth that harms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

Yes, big agree. Teach your kids about sex-not Santa.

Just not Santa having sex. That would be weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

What should they say about gods?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

Yes, big agree. Teach your kids about sex-not Santa.

Just not Santa having sex. That would be weird.

Supernatural characters don’t have sex.

But everyone else does. Let’s educate our kids early that everyone has sex and ensure they understand it’s normal and natural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

What should they say about gods?

Stick to the topic: Santa.

You want to argue atheism, start your own thread and leave the jolly man in the red suit alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

Yes, big agree. Teach your kids about sex-not Santa.

Just not Santa having sex. That would be weird.

Supernatural characters don’t have sex.

But everyone else does. Let’s educate our kids early that everyone has sex and ensure they understand it’s normal and natural.

Actually, not everyone has sex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Oh, my kids loved that movie! Saw it in the theater in 2018. Benedict Cumberbatch was amazing, definitely worth the 25-minute drive. Had a great time eating popcorn and other various junk food before going Christmas shopping at the attached mall afterward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of the Christian posters who opted out of having Santa visit their households get visits from the Easter Bunny or even the Tooth Fairy? Is Santa the only one you opt out of or all of them?

Growing up, my house was split. My dad, for religious reasons, refused to be part of any of the childhood fantasy creatures and never mentioned Santa, the Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy. My mom did, but the game was up pretty quickly with one parent not doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

Yes, big agree. Teach your kids about sex-not Santa.

Just not Santa having sex. That would be weird.

Supernatural characters don’t have sex.

But everyone else does. Let’s educate our kids early that everyone has sex and ensure they understand it’s normal and natural.

"I got a teddybear for for Christmas. What did you get?"
"Mommy showed me her birthing video, and Daddy demonstrated how to put on a condom."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Oh, my kids loved that movie! Saw it in the theater in 2018. Benedict Cumberbatch was amazing, definitely worth the 25-minute drive. Had a great time eating popcorn and other various junk food before going Christmas shopping at the attached mall afterward.

No way! The original 1966 version with Boris Karloff is the only Grinch!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

Yes, big agree. Teach your kids about sex-not Santa.

Just not Santa having sex. That would be weird.

Supernatural characters don’t have sex.

But everyone else does. Let’s educate our kids early that everyone has sex and ensure they understand it’s normal and natural.

"I got a teddybear for for Christmas. What did you get?"
"Mommy showed me her birthing video, and Daddy demonstrated how to put on a condom."

The teddy bear is just a material good destined for a landfill.

The miracle/pain of birth and knowing how to correctly use a condom are both valuable pieces of education many children never receive. Mom should also give a quick class about the dangers of childbirth.

We all pay the price through unwanted babies that women are having a more difficult time aborting- so yes, dad demonstrating correct usage of a condom would be a great gift.

[Anonymous]

My now 11yo believed in Santa last year when she was 10. I remember believing in the magic and loving that part of Christmas. I want her to have the same experience.
We are logical on other things, she knows how babies are made etc.
there’s nothing wrong with having some imagination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My now 11yo believed in Santa last year when she was 10. I remember believing in the magic and loving that part of Christmas. I want her to have the same experience.
We are logical on other things, she knows how babies are made etc.
there’s nothing wrong with having some imagination.

Lying to your child is never right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

What should they say about gods?

I mean…I don’t believe in god, but others think differently. It’s not my place to dictate how someone raises their child. If someone is a true believer, then by their lights they are not misleading their child. It would be very weird to tell a kid that god exists if the parent doesn’t actually believe it, though, like with Santa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up believing in Santa and it was magical and I still think of it fondly. I distinctly remember when I found out santa was not real. I was 8, and I found the giftw "front Santa" in my mom's closet.

I never did Santa with my kids. I taught them that Santa goes to the house of the children who believe in him, but that in our house I bought the presents.

It was never a problem. I don't care what other parents do with their children and I don't get why anyone would.

So why did you take the fun away then?

My kids had plenty of fun. You don't need Santa to have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up believing in Santa and it was magical and I still think of it fondly. I distinctly remember when I found out santa was not real. I was 8, and I found the giftw "front Santa" in my mom's closet.

I never did Santa with my kids. I taught them that Santa goes to the house of the children who believe in him, but that in our house I bought the presents.

It was never a problem. I don't care what other parents do with their children and I don't get why anyone would.

So why did you take the fun away then?

My kids had plenty of fun. You don't need Santa to have fun.

No, you don’t. You can choose something different. Isn’t that great? You and the PP can choose to believe completely different things and in this country, you can! So awesome. Don’t you agree?