OP is a douche.

Muslima wrote:We are on the other end of the spectrum. We don't celebrate xmas (Muslim family) . I have a DD in K and she's aware of it, though it makes her very sad. She came home a few weeks ago excited about xmas and I reminded her once again that we do not celebrate it and I could tell she was disappointed. I don't want her to feel left out but I also don't want to compromise her faith so it's a tough one. I don't want her to be the bratty kid that tells all the five-year-olds in the neighborhood that Santa isn't real but I can't tell her he's real either. At first, I didn’t know how to explain to DD that we don’t celebrate Christmas. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing and scar her forever or make her feel like a leper. I don't want her to feel different from her classmates even though she is. I think though, at the end of the day, raising children in such a multi cultural society is educational in itself and children should be made aware that it's ok for people to believe in different things..

So just say "we don't celebrate Christmas." Don't even discuss whether Santa is real or not; for your family it's irrelevant because you do not participate in Christmas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were talking in public about Santa (DC questioned who the guy in a Santa suit was) I said it was a man dressed up and told st nics story.
When I mentioned Santa isn't real a person who was walking behind us jumped and told me to watch out and be careful with what I say because I could ruin someone's Christmas.

So am I supposed to whisper? I need a reality check here.

I grew up in a religion other than Christianity, and even as a kid knew that you don't say Santa isn't real in public. Come on, OP.

Well, I didn't know that, and I grew up in a religion other than Christianity but went to a Christian school. It really never came up. And I don't think about it. I'm sorry if I don't child-proof my conversations but when my kid asks me about Santa or anything else, I don't look around first because it really never occurs to me. If he ran up to me and said "Joey says there's a Santa" and Joey was right there with him, ok, it would occur to me. But if Joey isn't around and it's just us on the metro or out walking or whatever, it doesn't occur to me to tell him anything but what we believe. We don't do Christmas or Santa, we don't even think about them except when someone wishes us a Merry Christmas (to which we, of course, say "thanks, you too"), and it does not make me an asshole to live a different reality than you do. I'm just not walking around all the time trying not to burst everyone's magic bubble because it's a bubble I am only peripherally aware of. Maybe that makes me oblivious, but it's certainly not an intentional asshole-dom. Christmas and the "holiday season" and Santa and gifts just do not figure in my life. At all.

We are on the other end of the spectrum. We don't celebrate xmas (Muslim family) . I have a DD in K and she's aware of it, though it makes her very sad. She came home a few weeks ago excited about xmas and I reminded her once again that we do not celebrate it and I could tell she was disappointed. I don't want her to feel left out but I also don't want to compromise her faith so it's a tough one. I don't want her to be the bratty kid that tells all the five-year-olds in the neighborhood that Santa isn't real but I can't tell her he's real either. At first, I didn’t know how to explain to DD that we don’t celebrate Christmas. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing and scar her forever or make her feel like a leper. I don't want her to feel different from her classmates even though she is. I think though, at the end of the day, raising children in such a multi cultural society is educational in itself and children should be made aware that it's ok for people to believe in different things..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I must be entitled since I think I shouldn't be telling other people's kids that Santa isn't real. Even though it's a non issue for my kids. Ok. I think we have a serious pot/kettle issue here. You feel entitled to run your mouth as loudly and as publicly as you feel like without anyone thinking you're rude. Oops. People think you're rude

Ok, first of all, no one on this thread is saying it's cool to go up to kids and announce to them that Santa isn't real. The argument is that it's not rude to walk around, in public, and indicate as part of an ongoing conversation that Santa isn't real without first scanning the area for any kids. Which it isn't, and yes, expecting the world to be childproofed for your convenience is entitled.

Second, I don't care if you think I'm rude. Because (a) you're wrong and (b) you don't matter. And yes, that last bit WAS rude, albeit accurate.

Then why are you arguing. I think you're rude for saying that in public with no regard for who's around you. I didn't ask the world to be child proofed. The entitlement complex is yours alone, and you are very rude and self centered. If I don't matter to you, then why are you trying so hard to defend your selfishness? Go ruin some kids day because it's your right. Then decide anyone who thinks you're rude doesn't matter. Nice!

I'm speaking up because I disagree with the weird groupthink on this thread, and I wanted OP, and others who might read the thread, to know that not everyone thinks this is some kind of societal obligation.

How courageous. Never silent that voice in the face of the Santa believing children. It's your right to trounce their feelings. Entitled little brats.

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I must be entitled since I think I shouldn't be telling other people's kids that Santa isn't real. Even though it's a non issue for my kids. Ok. I think we have a serious pot/kettle issue here. You feel entitled to run your mouth as loudly and as publicly as you feel like without anyone thinking you're rude. Oops. People think you're rude

Ok, first of all, no one on this thread is saying it's cool to go up to kids and announce to them that Santa isn't real. The argument is that it's not rude to walk around, in public, and indicate as part of an ongoing conversation that Santa isn't real without first scanning the area for any kids. Which it isn't, and yes, expecting the world to be childproofed for your convenience is entitled.

Second, I don't care if you think I'm rude. Because (a) you're wrong and (b) you don't matter. And yes, that last bit WAS rude, albeit accurate.

As an aside, are you the same mom who was insisting that it's cool to invite all the girls in her daughters class to her birthday party except two? Because you really seem like the same person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I must be entitled since I think I shouldn't be telling other people's kids that Santa isn't real. Even though it's a non issue for my kids. Ok. I think we have a serious pot/kettle issue here. You feel entitled to run your mouth as loudly and as publicly as you feel like without anyone thinking you're rude. Oops. People think you're rude

Ok, first of all, no one on this thread is saying it's cool to go up to kids and announce to them that Santa isn't real. The argument is that it's not rude to walk around, in public, and indicate as part of an ongoing conversation that Santa isn't real without first scanning the area for any kids. Which it isn't, and yes, expecting the world to be childproofed for your convenience is entitled.

Second, I don't care if you think I'm rude. Because (a) you're wrong and (b) you don't matter. And yes, that last bit WAS rude, albeit accurate.

Then why are you arguing. I think you're rude for saying that in public with no regard for who's around you. I didn't ask the world to be child proofed. The entitlement complex is yours alone, and you are very rude and self centered. If I don't matter to you, then why are you trying so hard to defend your selfishness? Go ruin some kids day because it's your right. Then decide anyone who thinks you're rude doesn't matter. Nice!

I'm speaking up because I disagree with the weird groupthink on this thread, and I wanted OP, and others who might read the thread, to know that not everyone thinks this is some kind of societal obligation.

Anonymous wrote:We were talking in public about Santa (DC questioned who the guy in a Santa suit was) I said it was a man dressed up and told st nics story.
When I mentioned Santa isn't real a person who was walking behind us jumped and told me to watch out and be careful with what I say because I could ruin someone's Christmas.

So am I supposed to whisper? I need a reality check here.

I grew up in a religion other than Christianity, and even as a kid knew that you don't say Santa isn't real in public. Come on, OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I must be entitled since I think I shouldn't be telling other people's kids that Santa isn't real. Even though it's a non issue for my kids. Ok. I think we have a serious pot/kettle issue here. You feel entitled to run your mouth as loudly and as publicly as you feel like without anyone thinking you're rude. Oops. People think you're rude

Ok, first of all, no one on this thread is saying it's cool to go up to kids and announce to them that Santa isn't real. The argument is that it's not rude to walk around, in public, and indicate as part of an ongoing conversation that Santa isn't real without first scanning the area for any kids. Which it isn't, and yes, expecting the world to be childproofed for your convenience is entitled.

Second, I don't care if you think I'm rude. Because (a) you're wrong and (b) you don't matter. And yes, that last bit WAS rude, albeit accurate.

Then why are you arguing. I think you're rude for saying that in public with no regard for who's around you. I didn't ask the world to be child proofed. The entitlement complex is yours alone, and you are very rude and self centered. If I don't matter to you, then why are you trying so hard to defend your selfishness? Go ruin some kids day because it's your right. Then decide anyone who thinks you're rude doesn't matter. Nice!

Yes. I must be entitled since I think I shouldn't be telling other people's kids that Santa isn't real. Even though it's a non issue for my kids. Ok. I think we have a serious pot/kettle issue here. You feel entitled to run your mouth as loudly and as publicly as you feel like without anyone thinking you're rude. Oops. People think you're rude

Ok, first of all, no one on this thread is saying it's cool to go up to kids and announce to them that Santa isn't real. The argument is that it's not rude to walk around, in public, and indicate as part of an ongoing conversation that Santa isn't real without first scanning the area for any kids. Which it isn't, and yes, expecting the world to be childproofed for your convenience is entitled.

Second, I don't care if you think I'm rude. Because (a) you're wrong and (b) you don't matter. And yes, that last bit WAS rude, albeit accurate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, as someone who grew up without Santa (despite being Christian, but I'm from Germany where, I think, less kids are made believe in what we call "der Weihnachtsmann"), I have a question: If kids here believe in Santa, do they also believe that the Santa they see at the mall and in various other places is real? I've always wondered if the belief is limited to the Santa coming in through the chimney (where I can kind of get the idea of "magic"), or if it includes all those Santas that pop up in commercial places all over town, at Christmas parties, etc.

It would seem that the real Santa showing up at the mall would kind of undermine the magic of the Santa on Christmas Day... but I'm not sure.

Before I say this, I'll remind you that Santa is for children. It's not supposed to make sense to adults. Many small children believe that the Santa at the mall is the real Santa - this in no way undermines the magic of Santa (what a weird thing to say!). Usually, older children realize that the mall Santa is not real but that there is still a real Santa out there that visits their house on Christmas Eve. Then eventually, they learn that Santa is not a real person but lives in our hearts.

Not weird to someone who hasn't grown up with Santa. Looking at this as an outsider to the tradition, how can seeing the Santa figure in a multitude of commercial contexts not diminish the magic of the mysterious special event of him coming down your chimney on Christmas Eve? Clearly you cannot imagine this outside perspective, so I won't argue with you, but the question makes sense to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you people out of your freaking minds? No, I'm not going to self-censor in public just because you're still riding the Santa Train with your kids. I'm not going to go on about it at daycare, or in line to see Santa at the mall, but just generally, in public, out in the street? Absolutely not. I'm not going to devote the mental bandwidth to being a bit player in your children's Christmas Story. You guys have some messed-up entitlement issues.

My three year old doesn't believe in Santa because I think it's just dumb to lie to kids for shits and giggles (are the presents any less magical in coming from Mom and Dad? Not one iota.) but he also knows not to mention it because his friends do believe. You just sound like you take sport in "telling it like it is." What fun you must be.

Like I said, above, in the post you quoted, I'm not going to go out of my way to scream "SANTA IS A LIE" at a daycare, but I'm also not going to spend my energy self-censoring in public. I can just imagine you PPs"

"My friend Steve has a job -- " <runs into the house, turns off the lights, checks to make sure the doors are locked and the curtains are drawn, goes into the basement, closes the door to the basement, throws a blanket over her head, whispers> " -- playing Santa at the mall."

Right. Because it's super plausible that you really needed to say that right at that moment in front of a bunch of kids that aren't yours.

You're missing the point. If I'm talking about my friend Steve's new job as a mall Santa, I'm not going to think to look around first and see if there are any kids in the area. Nope.

Then that makes you an asshole.

First of all, on the list of things that make me an asshole, that doesn't even crack the top 10.

Second of all, no it freaking doesn't. It makes me a person living in the world that doesn't exist to Create A Magical Christmas for Your Children.

You seem very angry at life.

Different PP and,no, I gotta go with the "it makes you an asshole" call on this one. Most assholes don't think they're assholes.

And most entitled parents don't think they're entitled.

Yes. I must be entitled since I think I shouldn't be telling other people's kids that Santa isn't real. Even though it's a non issue for my kids. Ok. I think we have a serious pot/kettle issue here. You feel entitled to run your mouth as loudly and as publicly as you feel like without anyone thinking you're rude. Oops. People think you're rude.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you people out of your freaking minds? No, I'm not going to self-censor in public just because you're still riding the Santa Train with your kids. I'm not going to go on about it at daycare, or in line to see Santa at the mall, but just generally, in public, out in the street? Absolutely not. I'm not going to devote the mental bandwidth to being a bit player in your children's Christmas Story. You guys have some messed-up entitlement issues.

My three year old doesn't believe in Santa because I think it's just dumb to lie to kids for shits and giggles (are the presents any less magical in coming from Mom and Dad? Not one iota.) but he also knows not to mention it because his friends do believe. You just sound like you take sport in "telling it like it is." What fun you must be.

Like I said, above, in the post you quoted, I'm not going to go out of my way to scream "SANTA IS A LIE" at a daycare, but I'm also not going to spend my energy self-censoring in public. I can just imagine you PPs"

"My friend Steve has a job -- " <runs into the house, turns off the lights, checks to make sure the doors are locked and the curtains are drawn, goes into the basement, closes the door to the basement, throws a blanket over her head, whispers> " -- playing Santa at the mall."

Right. Because it's super plausible that you really needed to say that right at that moment in front of a bunch of kids that aren't yours.

You're missing the point. If I'm talking about my friend Steve's new job as a mall Santa, I'm not going to think to look around first and see if there are any kids in the area. Nope.

Then that makes you an asshole.

First of all, on the list of things that make me an asshole, that doesn't even crack the top 10.

Second of all, no it freaking doesn't. It makes me a person living in the world that doesn't exist to Create A Magical Christmas for Your Children.

You seem very angry at life.

Different PP and,no, I gotta go with the "it makes you an asshole" call on this one. Most assholes don't think they're assholes.

And most entitled parents don't think they're entitled.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you people out of your freaking minds? No, I'm not going to self-censor in public just because you're still riding the Santa Train with your kids. I'm not going to go on about it at daycare, or in line to see Santa at the mall, but just generally, in public, out in the street? Absolutely not. I'm not going to devote the mental bandwidth to being a bit player in your children's Christmas Story. You guys have some messed-up entitlement issues.

My three year old doesn't believe in Santa because I think it's just dumb to lie to kids for shits and giggles (are the presents any less magical in coming from Mom and Dad? Not one iota.) but he also knows not to mention it because his friends do believe. You just sound like you take sport in "telling it like it is." What fun you must be.

Like I said, above, in the post you quoted, I'm not going to go out of my way to scream "SANTA IS A LIE" at a daycare, but I'm also not going to spend my energy self-censoring in public. I can just imagine you PPs"

"My friend Steve has a job -- " <runs into the house, turns off the lights, checks to make sure the doors are locked and the curtains are drawn, goes into the basement, closes the door to the basement, throws a blanket over her head, whispers> " -- playing Santa at the mall."

Right. Because it's super plausible that you really needed to say that right at that moment in front of a bunch of kids that aren't yours.

You're missing the point. If I'm talking about my friend Steve's new job as a mall Santa, I'm not going to think to look around first and see if there are any kids in the area. Nope.

Then that makes you an asshole.

First of all, on the list of things that make me an asshole, that doesn't even crack the top 10.

Second of all, no it freaking doesn't. It makes me a person living in the world that doesn't exist to Create A Magical Christmas for Your Children.

You seem very angry at life.

If only I had the Magic of Santa to make my heart grow three sizes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you people out of your freaking minds? No, I'm not going to self-censor in public just because you're still riding the Santa Train with your kids. I'm not going to go on about it at daycare, or in line to see Santa at the mall, but just generally, in public, out in the street? Absolutely not. I'm not going to devote the mental bandwidth to being a bit player in your children's Christmas Story. You guys have some messed-up entitlement issues.

My three year old doesn't believe in Santa because I think it's just dumb to lie to kids for shits and giggles (are the presents any less magical in coming from Mom and Dad? Not one iota.) but he also knows not to mention it because his friends do believe. You just sound like you take sport in "telling it like it is." What fun you must be.

Like I said, above, in the post you quoted, I'm not going to go out of my way to scream "SANTA IS A LIE" at a daycare, but I'm also not going to spend my energy self-censoring in public. I can just imagine you PPs"

"My friend Steve has a job -- " <runs into the house, turns off the lights, checks to make sure the doors are locked and the curtains are drawn, goes into the basement, closes the door to the basement, throws a blanket over her head, whispers> " -- playing Santa at the mall."

Right. Because it's super plausible that you really needed to say that right at that moment in front of a bunch of kids that aren't yours.

You're missing the point. If I'm talking about my friend Steve's new job as a mall Santa, I'm not going to think to look around first and see if there are any kids in the area. Nope.

Then that makes you an asshole.

First of all, on the list of things that make me an asshole, that doesn't even crack the top 10.

Second of all, no it freaking doesn't. It makes me a person living in the world that doesn't exist to Create A Magical Christmas for Your Children.

You seem very angry at life.

Different PP and,no, I gotta go with the "it makes you an asshole" call on this one. Most assholes don't think they're assholes.