Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
2014/12/25 00:38:20
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
To enforce good behaviour throughout the year. To ensure kids go to bed early on Christmas so the parents can get the presents organised and so they can have sleep because the child will be up from the crack of dawn on Xmas day. Third reason being is all the other kids . If my 4 year old came home from school and said "Jamie Briggs said Santa's not real! His parents told him they just buy presents and pretend its Santa" I'd be pretty mad (not really but just exampling). I don't want a string of angry parents at my door accusing me of ruining their kids' christma/childhood.
I'm celebrating 8 years on Dakka Dakka!
I started an Instagram! Follow me at Deadshot Miniatures! DR:90+S++G+++M+B+IPw40k08#-D+++A+++/cwd363R+++T(Ot)DM+ Check out my Deathwatch story, Aftermath in the fiction section!
Credit to Castiel for banner. Thanks Cas!
2014/12/25 00:41:01
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Eilif wrote: I'm teaching my child the basics of Christianity and we do the Santa thing too. While I don't think that belief in things like Santa and the Easter bunny are essential for understanding larger theological concepts, they are easier to understand and it certainly can't hurt. Who knows, maybe Santa and the tooth fairy are a foundation for the acceptance of larger spiritual truths.
Certainly Santa is easier for a kid to grasp than soteriology or the the doctrine of the Trinity.
And you honestly don't see a problem with this?
There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
2014/12/25 02:09:35
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Eilif wrote: I'm teaching my child the basics of Christianity and we do the Santa thing too. While I don't think that belief in things like Santa and the Easter bunny are essential for understanding larger theological concepts, they are easier to understand and it certainly can't hurt. Who knows, maybe Santa and the tooth fairy are a foundation for the acceptance of larger spiritual truths.
Certainly Santa is easier for a kid to grasp than soteriology or the the doctrine of the Trinity.
And you honestly don't see a problem with this?
Nope, perhaps you can enlighten me.
I should clarify that I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek with the underlined part, (and replying to goremaul) but I definitely don't have a problem with religious folks also letting their kids believe in Santa for a while.
You're saying that you need to teach your kids that fictional characters are real so that they'll be prepared to believe your "spiritual truths". Shouldn't this suggest that your "spiritual truths" are just as fictional as Santa?
Of course this was based on taking your comment seriously, since it was only a joke then that particular criticism of your religion doesn't apply.
There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
2014/12/25 05:14:29
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
It's a bit of fun, and approached the right way helps to encourage the idea of giving with no thought of reward being an important thing.
That being said, in future years (our girl is only 2, so Santa is still a bit of an incomprehensible concept for the moment... all she cared about is that there was a bike in the room. A BIKE!) we're aiming to promote the idea that Santa is something that we all choose to make-believe (for the reasons above) rather than that there is actually this fat guy in a red suit speeding around the world in one evening doling out goodies.
I have far more interest in encouraging my child's imagination than in encouraging a false belief in mystical beings.
2014/12/25 21:11:42
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
My oldest is five (almost six) and I've gone to great lengths to reinforce grounded, logical thinking with her. I've taught her to never be afraid to question and challenge ideas, especially her own, because it is how I believe to best foster intellectual growth. My wife on the other hand, fully embraces the Santa bit (as well as the Elf of the Shelf, which I hate) and goes to enormous lengths to maintain the illusion, and as a result, my daughter is completely sold on the idea of Santa. I don't think that belief in Santa is harmful, I certainly believed when I was a child and I don't believe it has any negative impact on my ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. When I finally figured out that Santa wasn't real, I wasn't hurt... if anything, it made me appreciate my parents even more than I already did.
d-usa wrote: "When the Internet sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending posters that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing strawmen. They're bringing spam. They're trolls. And some, I assume, are good people."
2014/12/25 21:54:22
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
I suppose, when I found out, it was just a matter of something clicking in my brain. I woke up to my mum hanging the stockings back up one night, and there wasn't a feeling of disappointment or anything, just a general feeling of 'huh, so that's how it works, then.'
It wasn't any less difficult to fall asleep on the subsequent few Christmas Eves, either; there was still excitement, Santa or no Santa.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/12/25 21:54:38
Mandorallen turned back toward the insolently sneering baron. 'My Lord,' The great knight said distantly, 'I find thy face apelike and thy form misshapen. Thy beard, moreover, is an offence against decency, resembling more closely the scabrous fur which doth decorate the hinder portion of a mongrel dog than a proper adornment for a human face. Is it possibly that thy mother, seized by some wild lechery, did dally at some time past with a randy goat?' - Mimbrate Knight Protector Mandorallen.
Excerpt from "Seeress of Kell", Book Five of The Malloreon series by David Eddings.
"You need not fear us, unless you are a dark heart, a vile one who preys on the innocent; I promise, you can’t hide forever in the empty darkness, for we will hunt you down like the animals you are, and pull you into the very bowels of hell." Iron - Within Temptation
2014/12/25 22:04:10
Subject: Re:Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Honestly, I do plan to tell my kids about Ol' Saint Nick'. I'm pretty much irreligious, but preserving the wonder for kids is a good thing to do. That wonder is a beutiful that children should be able to take into the world, and brighten it up because of that.
I also have a song that I think sums it up or me. I thought it was quite beautiful.
Homosexuality is the #1 cause of gay marriage.
kronk wrote: Every pizza is a personal sized pizza if you try hard enough and believe in yourself.
sebster wrote: Yes, indeed. What a terrible piece of cultural imperialism it is for me to say that a country shouldn't murder its own citizens
BaronIveagh wrote: Basically they went from a carrot and stick to a smaller carrot and flanged mace.
2014/12/26 11:42:37
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
You're saying that you need to teach your kids that fictional characters are real so that they'll be prepared to believe your "spiritual truths". Shouldn't this suggest that your "spiritual truths" are just as fictional as Santa?
Of course this was based on taking your comment seriously, since it was only a joke then that particular criticism of your religion doesn't apply.
Ok, I guess that's at least half my fault for not making my tone clear. I don't actually think that Santa and the easter bunny are a stepping stone to Jesus.
I do think though, that it's ok for parents in religious families to be generally tolerant of children's acceptance of non-religion-specific wonder and mysticism, especially at younger ages. Mostly this is in contrast to the group of religious folks who insist that Santa is bad for Christmas and to be avoided at all costs. I just don't think Jesus has much to fear from Santa.
hotsauceman1 wrote: And not to mention all the work you put in with not thanks. Sure sweetie, Santa got you that Xbox one, not daddy.
Spoken like a person with no kids.
Doesn't matter who "provided" the gift. Seeing the joy and happiness on the kids faces is the real reward.
Exactly this.
When will people learn im kidging about that stuff. Yes I know it is pputting smiles on your kids faces and going into more dept then a student
Probably about the same time you stop making comments that leave you open to replies like this?
On topic I don't really see the harm in letting children believe in things like Santa. To me, it's part of the magic of being a child and holding on to that magic for as long as possible is a great thing. I don't even equate that to lying to my children either, those are two totally different things. I'm completely honest with my kids too. I let them know why we cam and cannot afford things they want, why I don't let them go to certain friends houses and so on. But letting them believe in fictional beings just let's them be children a little longer then I was.
2014/12/26 19:34:55
Subject: Re:Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Kids love surprises and we also liked the idea of our daughter thinking that there are presents given to children by someone just because they were nice instead of their parents, as usual, giving them stuff as rewards or sth. Furthermore, the surprise just gets more awesome when even we pretended to be surprised what Santa Claus brought us
She's too old for this stuff now, though, and realized the truth. Super cute though. Last year, we told her we'd be surprised for what Santa brought this year. She just had the biggest smile on her lips, said "...what SANTA brought us, yes" and winked at me
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/12/26 19:52:58
For me, my children are so young, it's just nice to enforce goodwill and selfless acts of kindness really, have them believe in something and have a good time doing it, the truth of christmas is just a little much for them at this time, and my family and I really aren't religious anyways, (no offense to those who are, just not my background I suppose)
But they love it, it makes my kiddos happy, thus in return making me happy.
Illuminate the filth
With the glow of your righteous heart
Shine a light upon the world
And I'll scurry back to the dark
2014/12/26 20:15:10
Subject: Re:Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
There's a fair amount of edgelord fedora tippery going on in this thread.
The idea of Santa brings a little bit of happiness to kids and their parents. What's wrong with children enjoy a little bit of innocence?
I remember one year my parents couldn't get a popular toy for me when I was very young. It was a car crusher, you'd put your toy cars in and they'd go into a small hidden compartment and a plastic cube of a crushed car would come out instead.
My Mum wrote me an IOU from Santa and I was over the moon. I was only very young at the time so this made my day and is still a fond Christmas memory.
Knowing that Santa isn't real doesn't diminish that memory.
hotsauceman1 wrote: And not to mention all the work you put in with not thanks. Sure sweetie, Santa got you that Xbox one, not daddy.
Spoken like a person with no kids.
Doesn't matter who "provided" the gift. Seeing the joy and happiness on the kids faces is the real reward.
Exactly this.
Ditto. So much this.
It's a blast.
It's the greatest thing in the world.
My younger daughter was literally screaming with excitement while opening presents this year on Christmas morning... it was beautiful.
d-usa wrote: "When the Internet sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending posters that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing strawmen. They're bringing spam. They're trolls. And some, I assume, are good people."
2014/12/26 21:41:41
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Another reason, IMO, is that kids don't realy understand money and tradition. A young child will understand you get lots of toys at Christmas if you explain "that's when Santa comes" much better than "because it's christmas." Santa is a useful construct to explain to young children why they can have toys on one day of the year and not others. Once the child is old enough to understand the basics of time, diffrent times of the year and where money and toys come from they are at the age where they start questioning Santa, but also start to understand the concept of giving and the joy it brings others.
Too many adults expect kids to be little adults, but they live in a very diffrent world to adults. Imagined things and fantasys are very real to many children, and things like time and personal interactions are seen in a very diffrent way.
insaniak wrote: Sometimes, Exterminatus is the only option.
And sometimes, it's just a case of too much scotch combined with too many buttons...
2014/12/26 22:03:25
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
I would put forth the reason that was so wonderfully described by Richard Attenborough in Miracle on 34th Street.
Santa is a completely selfless person. He spends so much of his time working for the benefit of others, for no financial gain.
Teaching children that not everything has to be done for some kind of gain is an important lesson which will help make them more charitable and kind children and, hopefully, kinder and more charitable adults. Santa provides a way to do that in the form of an example to point to.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/12/26 22:05:44
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
1) You cannot win. 2) You cannot break even. 3) You cannot stop playing the game.
Colonel Flagg wrote:You think you're real smart. But you're not smart; you're dumb. Very dumb. But you've met your match in me.
2014/12/26 22:09:22
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Steve steveson wrote: Another reason, IMO, is that kids don't realy understand money and tradition.
Poor kids understand it fine. Santa's all happy and nice and children's joy etc etc when you can afford to buy them presents and pretend they just appeared as gifts from a guy who rewards good little girls and boys, but when "Santa" gets everyone in their class at school game consoles, expensive clothes, new bikes etc etc and you couldn't afford anything, or anything more than some wee token gift, how do you think that comes across to your kid? Either they stop buying into the whole Santa thing, or they end up still believing in Santa but thinking the great generous man who can magically judge your character must believe they're a bad person since he got them a comparatively crappy gift/no gift.
"Your society's broken, so who should we blame? Should we blame the rich, powerful people who caused it? No, lets blame the people with no power and no money and those immigrants who don't even have the vote. Yea, it must be their fething fault." - Iain M Banks
-----
"The language of modern British politics is meant to sound benign. But words do not mean what they seem to mean. 'Reform' actually means 'cut' or 'end'. 'Flexibility' really means 'exploit'. 'Prudence' really means 'don't invest'. And 'efficient'? That means whatever you want it to mean, usually 'cut'. All really mean 'keep wages low for the masses, taxes low for the rich, profits high for the corporations, and accept the decline in public services and amenities this will cause'." - Robin McAlpine from Common Weal
2014/12/26 22:54:46
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
Actually, I would argue quite the opposite. Young kids of the age still young enough don't understand money. They understand the concept that you need money to buy things, but have no idea about the diffrence between socks, a bike or a house in value. When children are young enough to truly Belive in Santa they are too young to understand the value of gifts. They understand if they got what they wanted or not, but that is a matter of parants managing expectations, not about Santa. If anything it is better for parants to explain to young children "You should ask Santa for something smaller." than "We can't afford it". I know I did. We were not poor poor, but my parants could not afford to spend more than, I would guess, £100 equivalent today on each of us, on both Santa, their gift and a few bits for a stocking, so no games console or bikes ever.
insaniak wrote: Sometimes, Exterminatus is the only option.
And sometimes, it's just a case of too much scotch combined with too many buttons...
2014/12/26 23:08:43
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
hotsauceman1 wrote: And not to mention all the work you put in with not thanks. Sure sweetie, Santa got you that Xbox one, not daddy.
Spoken like a person with no kids.
Doesn't matter who "provided" the gift. Seeing the joy and happiness on the kids faces is the real reward.
Exactly this.
Ditto. So much this.
It's a blast.
It's the greatest thing in the world.
My younger daughter was literally screaming with excitement while opening presents this year on Christmas morning... it was beautiful.
I add my agreement. There is a month or better of excitement that these kids have like what I fondly remember from my own childhood.
Cannot forget the times the cat gets into the tree either
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
2014/12/26 23:11:29
Subject: Why do parents want kids to believe in Santa?
My wife, growing up, had one Christmas where the only thing she got was a can of beans. She said she was extremely happy and thinks about the feelings she had about it to this day.
I counter the can of beans with rocket/mortar attacks on Xmas day
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
5000pts 
6000pts 
3000pts
