by Jeanie Olinger

Created on: February 15, 2011

Teaching children to believe in Santa Claus as if he really exists and truly brings presents at Christmas can be detrimental to children. When we do so we are genuinely lying to the child and teaching them to believe and trust in that lie. The reasoning is that they will grow up and find out how silly the idea is and learn that is was all made up – like a fairy tale, right? What are we really telling our children by treating Santa Claus as if he was real?

Actions speak louder than words and our actions in this case are a lie. We are indirectly training our children that there are instances when it is okay to lie; especially if it’s something we want. How are parents suppose to teach children to “always tell the truth” when they lie to them for the first 10 years of their life? We’re talking a major violation of a standard of morality here. It’s not okay to lie – ever! We cannot expect our children to grow up embracing honesty while we lie to them about Santa Claus. It is a gross double standard.

When children find out that we have built such elaborate lies for them surrounding Christmas and its traditions, how will they ever be able to believe us about other important issues? For instance, if we teach that God exists, and Santa Claus exists but we cannot see either one will they not think they are both lies? And who could blame them? It will make it much more difficult for them to continue to trust their parents on other important issues. Especially when they find out how long and effectively they have been lied to.

What is so wrong with teaching your children that you are giving them gifts because they are loved? And how can the discrepancy be explained when Santa Claus brings rich children expensive toys and the poor barely get anything? It’s am important teaching moment for children. Teach them the truth about the Saint, Saint Nicolas. Rather than lying to them and building a fragile belief system around Santa Claus teach them the truth about the joy and blessings that come from giving from the heart.

Lying to your children is wrong. Teaching them about Santa Claus as if he really existed is a double standard. Use Christmas instead to teach tradition and joyful giving.

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