by Betty Johnson

Created on: January 30, 2011

Although I raised four daughters, who I led to believe in a Santa Claus, I now have a different outlook on this. Had I to do this over again, I would never let them think that such a magical fairytale character actually exists.

First, I would have to ask myself why? What purpose would allowing my child to believe such a lie, serve? When hardships arise, as they sometimes do, will the child understand why Santa paid them no visit?

Believing in magical, jolly fat man, who delivers toys all over the world in a flying sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, only represses the child's vision of reality. It's a good story. It's a GREAT story- but should be kept as a fairytale, and not passed on as truth, to our children.

How many tears have been shed when the child learns that there is no Santa Claus?  That this 'Jolly good fellow' who slips magically down the chimney, bringing gifts, was nothing more than a fib?  I remember it as being quite traumatic. I have to tell you, I wondered what else my parents had lied about to me.

I don't believe a child really cares where all of those toys come from. Wouldn't it be better if they knew that they came from Mommy and Daddy?  Honestly, I think parents enjoy 'playing' Santa than the children do, believing in him. They remember the thrill of waiting for Santa, of laying out cookies for him to eat, and thinking they could hear reindeer's on the roof!  Many parents want to pass that 'thrill' down to their children.

The truth is...it's a lie.  No two ways about it. A lie that we unnecessarily tell our children. To end this ongoing lie would not ruin the happy times of Christmas.  Sure, they would njo longer believe the fairytale, but children should not believe that fairytales are true anyway.  They can still enjoy the story, and perhaps they may dream that it could possibly be true...as with all fairytales...but when the parent takes the responsibility of telling their child that the tale IS true, they are doing no more than instilling falsehoods into their little minds. Perhaps this teaches the child that lying is acceptable?

For seven or eight long years, we have a child that we are trying to educate, a child who is being taught to read and write. We are so proud of their academic accomplishments and still allow them to believe in flying fairies? 

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