Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We do not celebrate Christmas and my 9 year old has been coming home super bummed recently because he is "the only one that does not celebrate Christmas" and "everyone at school keeps talking about Christmas and Santa".

I really appreciate that the schools try to squash Christmas/Santa talk. I don't care if they discuss the Holidays and traditions, but Christmas is very dominant and can become a bummer for those kids that don't celebrate it. Adults often make comments to my son about "Santa is going to visit you" and "have you been good for Santa" and it's definitely awkward for him and makes him feel uncomfortable - and even sad because he feels like he is missing out.

We of course deal with it as a family, but it's just another perspective.

So to make sure your kid is not the only one bummed out, we should bumm out the rest of them? Charming.

Anonymous wrote:We do not celebrate Christmas and my 9 year old has been coming home super bummed recently because he is "the only one that does not celebrate Christmas" and "everyone at school keeps talking about Christmas and Santa".

I really appreciate that the schools try to squash Christmas/Santa talk. I don't care if they discuss the Holidays and traditions, but Christmas is very dominant and can become a bummer for those kids that don't celebrate it. Adults often make comments to my son about "Santa is going to visit you" and "have you been good for Santa" and it's definitely awkward for him and makes him feel uncomfortable - and even sad because he feels like he is missing out.

We of course deal with it as a family, but it's just another perspective.

Anonymous wrote:A few kids were singing Christmas carols at a charter school at recess--the kind that begin, "Jingle Bells/Santa smells." A teacher came up to them and told them to stop, since not everyone celebrates Christmas.
Lord, give me strength to survive the holiday season.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not many 9 year olds in our group even discuss Santa. I am one that as very pro separation of church and state. However, I think your 9 year old needs to get some thicker skin. My 8 year old isnt allowed to play video games, he is fine when his friends talk about all their video games.

Did you really go there? Did you really just equate your parenting decision not to allow video games with children feeling singled out when they are part of a minority religion? Religious identity for families and children can be a serious issue. In this country it is very hard to be a member of one of the minority religions as so many people believe that the cultural norm of Christianity should be catered to predominantly. Additionally, allowing Christmas into the public schools lends itself to kids segregating out the "weird" kids who don't celebrate Christmas. But this country was founded on the principle of religious freedom. People should be free to practice what religion they want. Allowing Christmas to dominate in public schools makes it much harder for non-Christian families during the holiday season.

For what it's worth, I'm Christian and celebrate Christmas. I recognize this because my best friend is Jewish and I've seen how easy it is even when people are well-meaning for the non-Christians to feel excluded or actually be demeaned by people who complain about the war on Christmas. You expect Christmas to be everywhere and for those who don't celebrate to just deal with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few kids were singing Christmas carols at a charter school at recess--the kind that begin, "Jingle Bells/Santa smells." A teacher came up to them and told them to stop, since not everyone celebrates Christmas.
Lord, give me strength to survive the holiday season.

Were you there? Do you know the circumstances or the reason the teacher would giv?. I am not usually THAT sympathetic to teachers, but really, to have a forum where one in the moment quick decision is reviewed for four pages by folks analyzing its political and theological meaning must be infuriating.

Word. I'm a teacher. I would wager that the kids were being loud and repetitive with a silly song, and some of the kids who usually eat Pop-tarts for breakfast were about to start joining in chorus, so the teacher quickly shushed them by saying what she did, which wasn't the best snap decision but was kinder than telling them to STFU with the Batman song.

Really? You're a teacher and you talk about the kids that eat pop tarts for breakfast. I pray that my kid never has you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few kids were singing Christmas carols at a charter school at recess--the kind that begin, "Jingle Bells/Santa smells." A teacher came up to them and told them to stop, since not everyone celebrates Christmas.
Lord, give me strength to survive the holiday season.

Were you there? Do you know the circumstances or the reason the teacher would giv?. I am not usually THAT sympathetic to teachers, but really, to have a forum where one in the moment quick decision is reviewed for four pages by folks analyzing its political and theological meaning must be infuriating.

Word. I'm a teacher. I would wager that the kids were being loud and repetitive with a silly song, and some of the kids who usually eat Pop-tarts for breakfast were about to start joining in chorus, so the teacher quickly shushed them by saying what she did, which wasn't the best snap decision but was kinder than telling them to STFU with the Batman song.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few kids were singing Christmas carols at a charter school at recess--the kind that begin, "Jingle Bells/Santa smells." A teacher came up to them and told them to stop, since not everyone celebrates Christmas.
Lord, give me strength to survive the holiday season.

Were you there? Do you know the circumstances or the reason the teacher would giv?. I am not usually THAT sympathetic to teachers, but really, to have a forum where one in the moment quick decision is reviewed for four pages by folks analyzing its political and theological meaning must be infuriating.

Anonymous wrote:A few kids were singing Christmas carols at a charter school at recess--the kind that begin, "Jingle Bells/Santa smells." A teacher came up to them and told them to stop, since not everyone celebrates Christmas.
Lord, give me strength to survive the holiday season.

Anonymous wrote:Wy squash the talk? This is life people...you declare your love for whatever you love and allow my child to declare love Jesus. She won't be offended by what you love.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We do not celebrate Christmas and my 9 year old has been coming home super bummed recently because he is "the only one that does not celebrate Christmas" and "everyone at school keeps talking about Christmas and Santa".

I really appreciate that the schools try to squash Christmas/Santa talk. I don't care if they discuss the Holidays and traditions, but Christmas is very dominant and can become a bummer for those kids that don't celebrate it. Adults often make comments to my son about "Santa is going to visit you" and "have you been good for Santa" and it's definitely awkward for him and makes him feel uncomfortable - and even sad because he feels like he is missing out.

We of course deal with it as a family, but it's just another perspective.

Why not just celebrate Christmas and give your child gifts. Problem solved

Anonymous wrote:We do not celebrate Christmas and my 9 year old has been coming home super bummed recently because he is "the only one that does not celebrate Christmas" and "everyone at school keeps talking about Christmas and Santa".

I really appreciate that the schools try to squash Christmas/Santa talk. I don't care if they discuss the Holidays and traditions, but Christmas is very dominant and can become a bummer for those kids that don't celebrate it. Adults often make comments to my son about "Santa is going to visit you" and "have you been good for Santa" and it's definitely awkward for him and makes him feel uncomfortable - and even sad because he feels like he is missing out.

We of course deal with it as a family, but it's just another perspective.