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To Santa or Not to Santa?

December 10, 2006 3:24 AM

o, this story got me wondering. I really want to have kids some day. I think I'd make a pretty decent father. I think I'd have a rather unique parenting style, but that's ok--I do everything my own way. First of all, contrary to Mr. nononsense, I'd allow my kid to play video games if he or she wanted to. My friend believes that video games are devoid of any educational benefits. I disagree on that point, but disagree even more with the idea that kids, from the time they're infants, need to be constantly bombarded with educational--and only educational--content. Kids need to play for it's own sake. They need to have the opportunity to be frivolous, lazy, irresonsible. Not all the time, not most of the time, maybe not even often. But sometimes. As soon as a kid turns into a teenager, the innocent, stress-free time is over. I think kids deserve for their first twelve years to be dedicated not only to learning, but also to having a good time.

Along with that philosophy, I think kids need to have a certain sense of awe about the world around them. Kids need to be constantly challenged by their environment, to constantly question what's happening and why--but they shouldn't have all the answers. Part of what makes being a kid so special is the feeling of wonder you get when you see snow or a new magic trick. At the same time, though, I think it's important to be as honest as possible with children. Obviously, children aren't equipped to handle certain situations, and being honest with them in some instances will do more to confuse them then educate them. Still, for the most part, it's going to be a goal of mine to be as honest as I can be with my children. How can I instill the value of honesty if I don't respect them enough to be forthright with them?

So, what does this all have to do with letters to Santa Claus? That story just got me thinking about whether I'm going to tell my kids that their Christmas presents come from Santa Claus. Am I going to tell them that Santa comes down the chimney and leaves all these presents for them if they've been nice but only coal if they've been naughty? I don't really know.

Part of what makes my decision kind of tough is that I never really had Santa when I was a kid. Sure, my mom went through the motions, but she didn't really sell it. That's not meant to be a derrogatory comment about my mom, she always worked really hard to make sure that the holidays were special in her own way. It's just that Christmas meant something different for her than most parents, I think. She didn't worry so much about the Santa myth or instilling a sense of wonder. In any event, I was vaguely aware of the concept of Santa, but I didn't realy believe it. And I don't think Christmas means less to me because of it.

So, anyway, I want my kids to marvel at the world, but I also don't want to outright lie. I have to admit that I have a soft spot for stories of dads dressing up in the big red suit and making a special guest appearance as Santa or seeing a toddler's astonished face when the cookies that were left out the night before have a big bite taken out of them. But I just don't see myself perpetuating that image. And I don't think my kids will be missing out.

At least, I hope they won't be.



8 Comments


kristin said:

I respect the decision you are making, especially as it relates to the whole "not lying to your children" thing. But I do hope your children don't feel the need to share that honesty with the whole playground. Because if your kid tells Walker Vengeance that there is no Santa Claus, he will probably be roundhouse kicked out of the space-time continuum.

December 10, 2006 12:44 PM



Utah said:

It's a little known fact that Chuck Norris is Santa. He gives the gift of NOT killing all of the children on Christmas Eve.

December 10, 2006 1:41 PM



Ismael Tapia II said:

Kristin,
I certainly hope that little Ismael and little Walker Vengeance can be friends. I mean, I sort of figured they'd fight crime together in the city. Although, if you want them to be arch enemies, that's cool, too.

Utah,
That is, indeed, a precious gift and yet another indication of The Great Chuck's magnanimousness.

December 10, 2006 4:11 PM



TheExpat said:

I hear Chuck Norris' back hair is so tough, other men's hair will actually flee in shame at the mere sight of it. It's what modern science refers to as "male pattern baldness", but we all know that's just a load of sissy bullcrap.

December 11, 2006 6:13 AM



Lawnut said:

I'm with you - I don't believe in perpetuating a complete and utter lie. I know people whose kids believe in Santa Clause until they're 10 or 11. That just creates a naive individual. I think that you should treat your kids like small adults and have them face reality at an early age so that later they're not bitch-slapped by it; but I'm not a parent, so what do I know.

December 11, 2006 9:01 AM



morenonesense said:

I will not buy my kids a game system, not chain them in the basement so they can never play one. what I will do, though, is to chain them to a fat guy dressed like santa for life, just so they believe.

December 11, 2006 11:22 AM



Torie said:

Hey, good to find somoene who agrees with me. GMTA.

July 10, 2011 6:32 AM






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