My Jewish kid gets visited by Santa, as I was when I was growing up.

I’ve told my kid that Santa only comes if you believe. If you don’t believe in him for some reason then that’s why he doesn’t come. This wasn’t an issue growing up because Santa came to everyone. Now with so many other religions around us ( which is awesome) and other parents just flat out not playing along, I had to tell my kid something when she asked. I love the magic of it and want her to believe as long as possible..

Oh JFC. Is this going to be another thread where Jewish folks complain about being put upon by the Christmas season? I don’t know any Christian kids who are taunting non-Christians about not getting gifts from Santa. Someone is inventing a problem where none exists. All of the Jewish and non-Christian families who I know are perfectly well adjusted and are not wringing their hands over Christmas.

Can we just give it a rest?

I told my kids that Santa visits kids who believe in him. I never taught my kids to believe in Santa. They never asked questions beyond this and there was never any issue with them spoiling it for other kids.

Anonymous wrote:Santa follows the house rules. He only comes if he’s invited. He doesn’t leave gifts parents haven’t approved. That’s how he avoids bringing kids candy they’re allergic to or toys they already have.

+1

Santa can visit any child. If the parents decide Santa is not invited, he doesn’t come. Santa doesn’t decide he won’t visit independently.

Santa follows the house rules. He only comes if he’s invited. He doesn’t leave gifts parents haven’t approved. That’s how he avoids bringing kids candy they’re allergic to or toys they already have.

We skipped the Naughty or Nice part.

Anonymous wrote:If your kids are taunting others maybe, start with that instead of worrying about mean rules upset children might defend themselves with. The problem is your kid.

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:Santa doesnt bring presents to our family. As we are jewish.

Yes, but you don’t want Santa to “visit” and leave gifts. He’s not a part if your tradition or culture. Santa isn’t in his office at the North Pole putting all Jewish kids on his naughty list.

Anonymous wrote:Santa doesnt bring presents to our family. As we are jewish.

+1

Santa doesnt bring presents to our family. As we are jewish.

If your kids are taunting others maybe, start with that instead of worrying about mean rules upset children might defend themselves with. The problem is your kid.

Santa won’t bring you presents because you are “another religion?” Where did you get that from? Nobody ever has said Santa only brings gifts to Christian children! Santa brings gifts to ALL children.

If your child has the propensity to taunt other children for any reason, that’s on you. You should have given the child clear rules and modeled good behavior.

This is weird post, because Santa has never been portrayed in literature, movies, etc, as only bringing gifts to Christian kids.

When NORAD “tracks” Santa on Christmas Eve, Santa is shown visiting countries all over the world, bringing gifts to kids all over the world.

Santa is traditionally depicted as having a naughty and nice list. Yes, the world has rules. Just like the Elf On the Shelf, who “watches” children to make sure they are on their best behavior.

Let me guess: Santa and Elf on the Shelf are Christian bigots. They are tyrannical Christian overlords, spying on kids without consent and judging them harshly and withholding gifts for naughty behavior.

Do non-Christian kids not have rules and expectations about behavior?

This is a doozy of a post and I look forward to the comments.

We’ve never pretended that Santa is any more real than other characters and games, and we do not apply the naughty/nice stuff. It’s just a story and a game about presents.

A lot of the "rules" of Santa can sound mean to non-Christian kids (Santa doesn't bring gifts to "naughty" kids; Santa won't visit you because you're another religion, etc). How do you talk to your kids about Santa, so they don't go to school and (accidentally or not) taunt kids who don't celebrate Christmas?