This time of year is always a time of decision for me. Should I tell my daughter that Santa is real? I don't think I can. Maybe it's the skeptic in me but I just can't make myself lie to her. She is six this year and finally grasping what Santa is supposed to be and she is bombarded with who he is and what he does from TV, books and movies. But I also find it hard to come right out and tell her that none of it's true. Yeah, I'm a gutless flip-flopper. When she comes right out and asks me if Santa is real I counter her questions with questions of my own. "Do you think he's real?" So far she has answered yes but I hear the hesitation in her voice. She is growing into a fine skepchick in her own right and I'm convinced she has doubts. But just like a true believer she WANTS it to be true so she convinces herself that it is. I'm okay with that though, as she gets older and learns to think more for herself, she will be okay with letting the myth go. I know she will outgrow it. Makes me wonder though, why do children outgrow the Santa myth but continue to hang onto believing in the other and just as equally far fetched myth of God?
This is the first year that she wrote a letter to Santa and the one thing she asked for in the letter we gave to her addressed from Santa. The first present from Santa ever actually. I was proud to see her critical thinking skills in action though. When she received her pre-printed form letter she questioned why Santa wrote her name on the envelope but addressed the letter itself to "Dear Little Friend" and then she promptly asked me if I wrote the letter. I could safely say I didn't without lying.
I don't begrudge others for telling their children it's all true but I get a little angry when people think I would be horrible if I chose to not lie to her. Why would deciding to tell my child the truth about something be a bad thing. Maybe it's spineless of me but the ire I know I would get from others is one of the reasons I can't tell her it's just not true. I don't think there is any damage done either way. I never really believed and I've become a healthy skeptic. My husband, on the other hand, bought the whole story hook, line, and sinker. He is also now a skeptic and neither of us have any psychological issues stemming from either believing or not believing in Santa.
I'm likely just over-thinking the whole thing anyhow. I'll continue to make my smart little girl question and think for herself and I'm positive all will work out in end.
Now, what to do about the Tooth Fairy?
This is the first year that she wrote a letter to Santa and the one thing she asked for in the letter we gave to her addressed from Santa. The first present from Santa ever actually. I was proud to see her critical thinking skills in action though. When she received her pre-printed form letter she questioned why Santa wrote her name on the envelope but addressed the letter itself to "Dear Little Friend" and then she promptly asked me if I wrote the letter. I could safely say I didn't without lying.
I don't begrudge others for telling their children it's all true but I get a little angry when people think I would be horrible if I chose to not lie to her. Why would deciding to tell my child the truth about something be a bad thing. Maybe it's spineless of me but the ire I know I would get from others is one of the reasons I can't tell her it's just not true. I don't think there is any damage done either way. I never really believed and I've become a healthy skeptic. My husband, on the other hand, bought the whole story hook, line, and sinker. He is also now a skeptic and neither of us have any psychological issues stemming from either believing or not believing in Santa.
I'm likely just over-thinking the whole thing anyhow. I'll continue to make my smart little girl question and think for herself and I'm positive all will work out in end.
Now, what to do about the Tooth Fairy?
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