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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

You make it sound like OP grabbed a child and said, "Hey! Kid! Santa is a big fraud, and your parents are lying to you!"

Whereas the reality (as reported by OP) is that OP was somewhere talking to OP's child, and an adult told OP to watch out and be careful with what OP says, in case a child were listening.

If she was speaking loud another for the woman to hear, then she was speaking loud enough for a nearby child to hear. Maybe OP shouldn't speak so loudly.

In the future, I will whisper whenever I am in public and talking about something that might upset a small child who might be in earshot and might be listening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad that some people feel a personal insult to "having" to pretend Santa is real. Think about the last time you had real, true magic in your life. Or even breathless anticipation and excitement. Think about the next time you'll have it. For most of us as adults, we almost never experience these things anymore. But for a brief time, kids still get to and Christmas/Santa is one of those times. Why take it away from them just to prove you are intellectually superior and too pragmatic to continue an illusion? Why not just let them have it while they're little and still can? They have a lifetime of bills and worry and job stress and taxes and reality ahead of them. Why not just let them have the fun and magic that little kids should have? It doesn't hurt you one bit to just keep your mouth shut and let them believe.

OP here and I want to say one thing - life as it is takes my breath away very often. I'm truly sorry you're so buried in worries that you can't see it.
I don't have to lie to my kids to make their life interesting and worth living. We stop to stare at the stars, I answer their questions about the sun and the moon (today the whole 40 min drive to school was a discussion on how come the sun and the moon were up in the sky at the same time). We don't lack imagination and wonder and it's all about real life.

We stop the car too look at rainbows, we stop our walk to the bus stop to watch bugs and watching my children learning about their surroundings warms my heart every day. I'm so sorry you can't feel it. It's amazing! You should try.

That said, we like to give credit to those who work hard to give them presents and the feelings behind it.

I want my children to be sensitive to others beliefs but I don't want them to be shamed and criticized by telling the truth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

You make it sound like OP grabbed a child and said, "Hey! Kid! Santa is a big fraud, and your parents are lying to you!"

Whereas the reality (as reported by OP) is that OP was somewhere talking to OP's child, and an adult told OP to watch out and be careful with what OP says, in case a child were listening.

If she was speaking loud another for the woman to hear, then she was speaking loud enough for a nearby child to hear. Maybe OP shouldn't speak so loudly.

In the future, I will whisper whenever I am in public and talking about something that might upset a small child who might be in earshot and might be listening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

You make it sound like OP grabbed a child and said, "Hey! Kid! Santa is a big fraud, and your parents are lying to you!"

Whereas the reality (as reported by OP) is that OP was somewhere talking to OP's child, and an adult told OP to watch out and be careful with what OP says, in case a child were listening.

If she was speaking loud another for the woman to hear, then she was speaking loud enough for a nearby child to hear. Maybe OP shouldn't speak so loudly.

In the future, I will whisper whenever I am in public and talking about something that might upset a small child who might be in earshot and might be listening.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

You make it sound like OP grabbed a child and said, "Hey! Kid! Santa is a big fraud, and your parents are lying to you!"

Whereas the reality (as reported by OP) is that OP was somewhere talking to OP's child, and an adult told OP to watch out and be careful with what OP says, in case a child were listening.

If she was speaking loud another for the woman to hear, then she was speaking loud enough for a nearby child to hear. Maybe OP shouldn't speak so loudly.

Anonymous wrote:

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 am not Christian but I would certainly be aware of not ruining the Santa story for little kids while I was out and about. If there were little kids around I'd probably find some way to avoid saying Santa isn't real, but I don't think you need to completely censor yourself.

What does Santa have to do with being Christian? Real question...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

You make it sound like OP grabbed a child and said, "Hey! Kid! Santa is a big fraud, and your parents are lying to you!"

Whereas the reality (as reported by OP) is that OP was somewhere talking to OP's child, and an adult told OP to watch out and be careful with what OP says, in case a child were listening.

If she was speaking loud another for the woman to hear, then she was speaking loud enough for a nearby child to hear. Maybe OP shouldn't speak so loudly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

You make it sound like OP grabbed a child and said, "Hey! Kid! Santa is a big fraud, and your parents are lying to you!"

Whereas the reality (as reported by OP) is that OP was somewhere talking to OP's child, and an adult told OP to watch out and be careful with what OP says, in case a child were listening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That other person was completely out of line.

Guess what? My Christian child has Jewish friends who tell her that Santa is not real. I tell her if you believe in Santa then he is real to you.

People need to get over themselves, if their children are that fragile that they can't hear a contrary opinion and you as a parent can't talk to your child, then a stocking full of coal for you!

General kindness trumps your righteousness in this situation.

+100. But don't try to tell that to the entitled DCUM crazies. Them first, them first!

Anonymous wrote:

And having found so much beauty and wonder in nature, you still can't find some kindness in your heart to not take something important away from someone else?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That other person was completely out of line.

Guess what? My Christian child has Jewish friends who tell her that Santa is not real. I tell her if you believe in Santa then he is real to you.

People need to get over themselves, if their children are that fragile that they can't hear a contrary opinion and you as a parent can't talk to your child, then a stocking full of coal for you!

General kindness trumps your righteousness in this situation.

+100. But don't try to tell that to the entitled DCUM crazies. Them first, them first!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That other person was completely out of line.

Guess what? My Christian child has Jewish friends who tell her that Santa is not real. I tell her if you believe in Santa then he is real to you.

People need to get over themselves, if their children are that fragile that they can't hear a contrary opinion and you as a parent can't talk to your child, then a stocking full of coal for you!

General kindness trumps your righteousness in this situation.