NeoGAF

There is no awkward conversation. Kids understand you wanted them to have fun. They're smart like that.

There's nothing wrong allowing kids to have some fun and fantasy for a few years. There is no point other than their enjoyment.

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Seriously let the kids dream about santa bringing them presents.

I discovered it myself and found it incredibly dumb that people had to dress like that, so I'm telling them the truth. Same with easter bunny and similars.

I don't believe in lying. Also I don't think it's good for kids to give credit to a fake person when their poor parents worked hard to buy them gifts.

let them find out on their own

Originally Posted by woolley

There's nothing wrong allowing kids to have some fun and fantasy for a few years. There is no point other than their enjoyment.

Why what's the point in it? Santa takes credit away from parents working their ass of to give them presents. It would make more sense to teach about that rather than some make believe character based on a 200 year old Saint. The idea that there is some dude who magically makes things undermines the work that it took to get those gifts.

I'll let my partner decide, because I don't give a shit if children believe that shit.

I know this thread will be full of joyless nerds, but I'll join in the chorus that thinks there's nothing wrong with the white lie of Santa. It's all in good fun! Was anyone seriously upset when they found out?

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Why what's the point in it? Santa takes credit away from parents working their ass of to give them presents. It would make more sense to teach about that rather than some make believe character based on a 200 year old Saint. The idea that there is some dude who magically makes things undermines the work that it took to get those gifts.

Oh my, someone wants the credit for all those presents!

I never found there to be an awkward conversation. I and everyone I know just grew out of it naturally.

Even when I was a kid and knew Santa wasn't real I still liked the whole concept. I still enjoyed Santa movies and decorations and still wanted see him at the mall. It's just fun.

Originally Posted by ZackieChan

I know this thread will be full of joyless nerds, but I'll join in the chorus that thinks there's nothing wrong with the white lie of Santa. It's all in good fun! Was anyone seriously upset when they found out?

Insulting others because they don't same the same opinion as you because you can't think of a legitimate reason to lie to kids about some make believe character. Never change Internet.

Don't think so.

Originally Posted by CrazyHorse

I don't believe in lying. Also I don't think it's good for kids to give credit to a fake person when their poor parents worked hard to buy them gifts.

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Why what's the point in it? Santa takes credit away from parents working their ass of to give them presents. It would make more sense to teach about that rather than some make believe character based on a 200 year old Saint. The idea that there is some dude who magically makes things undermines the work that it took to get those gifts.

You two are joking right? If you as a parent feel bad about not getting credit for a few gifts, instead of being happy with seeing your kids enjoy themselves, you got bigger problems.

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Why what's the point in it? Santa takes credit away from parents working their ass of to give them presents. It would make more sense to teach about that rather than some make believe character based on a 200 year old Saint. The idea that there is some dude who magically makes things undermines the work that it took to get those gifts.

A child isn't really doesn't understand the concept of money, they will learn to appreciate the how hard it was for the parents as they get older by which time they've grown out of it. Not everything has to have some big overarching purpose, some things are just fun.

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Why what's the point in it? Santa takes credit away from parents working their ass of to give them presents. It would make more sense to teach about that rather than some make believe character based on a 200 year old Saint. The idea that there is some dude who magically makes things undermines the work that it took to get those gifts.

The point is fun, which seems lost on you. Look, I'm not going to defend the sanctity of Christmas mythical fairy tales and Santa, it's silly, there really isn't a point beyond entertainment and stimulating retail sales.

But try to recall your child mind. It's fun, it's also fun as an adult with young kids.

Kids can't have fun unless you make up people. There are plenty ways of having fun while being honest.

Originally Posted by ValkyrUser

Even when I was a kid and knew Santa wasn't real I still liked the whole concept. I still enjoyed Santa movies and decorations and still wanted see him at the mall. It's just fun.

I think the concept of giving to people who don't get anything is what we all like about the idea of Santa. I think it would make more sense to focus on ACTUALLY giving to those in need rather than wasting energy on some make believe character.

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Insulting others because they don't same the same opinion as you because you can't think of a legitimate reason to lie to kids about some make believe character. Never change Internet.

Hey, it's a white lie! Merry christmas!

No.

With this debate I'm always reminded of this part of the Hogfather:

“All right," said Susan. "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need... fantasies to make life bearable."

REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little—"

YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

"So we can believe the big ones?"

YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.

"They're not the same at all!"

YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME...SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

"Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—"

MY POINT EXACTLY.”
― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

There's nothing some people won't overthink.

You guys are too much sometimes lol.

I honestly don't remember when I figured it out, but it wasn't a revelation of betrayal.

Maybe your kids don't even want to be born.

I will lie to them stating I'm Santa.

I suppose one could tell of Saint Nicholas/Nikolaos of Myra and how the story of Santa Claus emerged. It's at least more believable than a corpulent, physics defying oldster piloting reindeer to deliver presents to children all around the world.

Of course, one can always debate the definition of reality.

Why not be rational about it and tell them the story of St. Nicholas? Tell them that Santa is an imagine of him and that's why there are so many of them.


Edit: Screw you, Rösti..

If I do do Santa stuff it's going to be that Nordic version where he like whips and eats children. At least that way I'm getting some joy out of it.

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Insulting others because they don't same the same opinion as you because you can't think of a legitimate reason to lie to kids about some make believe character. Never change Internet.

Indeed

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Insulting others because they don't same the same opinion as you because you can't think of a legitimate reason to lie to kids about some make believe character. Never change Internet.

Yeah, you have no sense of humor at all. The idea that parents are willfully deceiving their children is laughable. Even more ridiculous is the suggestion that children are in some way adversely effected by this. C'mon man.

Yes, and Krampus.

When I was a kid my uncle always dressed up as Krampus, he'd still do it years later after me and all my cousins/siblings had grown much older, lol.

It's a game. Most kids figure it out on their own, no reason to panic. Do as you wish.

Originally Posted by Supast4r

Why what's the point in it? Santa takes credit away from parents working their ass of to give them presents. It would make more sense to teach about that rather than some make believe character based on a 200 year old Saint. The idea that there is some dude who magically makes things undermines the work that it took to get those gifts.

You think a three year old is going to understand that? FFS.

Some people in this thread shouldn't be reproducing.

If you're going to tell your kids that Santa is fake, why stop there? Why not Sesame Street, The Magic School Bus, Thunderbirds, Peppa Pig and Thomas The Tank Engine too?

Originally Posted by t-storm

You think a three year old is going to understand that? FFS.

Some people in this thread shouldn't be reproducing.

Yes, non-Christians shouldn't reproduce.

The probability that Santa's real is higher than me having a child

So, yes

Make sure to tell your future kid that their first scribbles on paper look like shit. You wouldn't want to to lie to them.

I can understand some unease with the whole premise, even if it's not as bad as routine genital mutilation.

Are you going to tell them children's television like Sesame Street is a lie too? The Disney movies they're watching are all fake?

Why stop at Santa? Why not instill the harsh realities of the real world right from the start. Better start making a YouTube playlist of natural disasters, pollution, war, famine in Africa etc.


Why wouldn't you want to make the world of a child a little more fun and magical for those couple of years OP? Because of the awkward conversation? Nothing awkward about it.

I tell them he's not real but they refuse to believe. We have an elf on the shelf but readily tell them Santa is not real. We didn't think it through. Since elf on the shelf depends on Santa.

Wtf were we thinking? So our 6 year old, who's crazy smart, is like, 'where does Buddy (our elf on the shelf) come from?' He's telling me that Santa is real.

We've told all three of my kids Santa isn't real. We've told them that we buy the gifts. The two youngest refuse to believe. Our oldest used to tell his friends in elementary school that Santa isn't real. But kids will hold onto their dreams so don't worry.

LOL the use of "lie" in this thread.

I have some vague fond memories of believing in Santa.

Specially when you start to figure out that he probably doesn't exist but your parents still manage to keep you in doubt.

My kids are two and five and I've already told them he isn't.

No regrets.

(they're perfectly fine with it)

Originally Posted by Tiamatsword22

Yes, non-Christians shouldn't reproduce.

Has nothing to do with Christianity, has everything to do with helping a three year old understand in simplest terms this time of year.

It's not about you, it's about doing whatever you can as a parent to make sure your child is the happiest they can be and memories/moments they'll remember for years to come.

Fostering imagination and creativity at that age is encouraged.

God some of you are selfish fucks.

Originally Posted by t-storm

Has nothing to do with Christianity, has everything to do with helping a three year old understand in simplest terms this time of year.

It's not about you, it's about doing whatever you can as a parent to make sure your child is the happiest they can be and memories/moments they'll remember for years to come.

Fostering imagination and creativity at that age is encouraged.

God some of you are selfish fucks.

I'm selfish because I'm not Christian and don't celebrate Christmas?

Originally Posted by andthebeatgoeson

I tell them he's not real but they refuse to believe. We have an elf on the shelf but readily tell them Santa is not real. We didn't think it through. Since elf on the shelf depends on Santa.

Wtf were we thinking? So our 6 year old, who's crazy smart, is like, 'where does Buddy (our elf on the shelf) come from?' He's telling me that Santa is real.

We've told all three of my kids Santa isn't real. We've told them that we buy the gifts. The two youngest refuse to believe. Our oldest used to tell his friends in elementary school that Santa isn't real. But kids will hold onto their dreams so don't worry.

Creationist in the making.