Should You Perpetuate the Santa Myth for Your Children?

Around this time of year the anti-Santa people start showing up. You know who they are, the bah humbug people off Christmas, the overly modern parents, the older kids who have fun spoiling the fun, the folks who truly believe that they (and you) should always tell the absolute truth to children. Never mind that Santa Claus is based on a real person, Saint Nicholas who was known to give presents to children. Never mind that children across the world and of almost all religions and races have had Santa Claus visit if only to leave a few pieces of candy in a shoe left out. All of them present fine anti-Santa arguments if taken only at face value.

Christmas is supposed to be a religious holiday. So, what does Santa have to do with that? If you perpetuate the Santa Claus myth for your child they will grow up materialistic. There is no such thing as a jolly old man in a red suit who has hundreds of elves in a workshop making toys, toys cost money. Tell the truth to your children at all cost. I don't know about you but I never told any five year old exactly the truth about how he came to grow in my tummy er uterus, did you? While you're at it banish the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, your 4 year old isn't stupid so eventually he or she will figure it all out and then you'll be accused of -gasp- lying!

Come on folks believing in Santa didn't scar you for life did it? Don't you think their is room in the heart of a child to forgive a parent's lie that is presented solely for their fun and happiness? The sad thing is, there is a very small window of time where your child will believe the Santa story anyway. By eight years old or sooner some thug at school or on the bus will inform him that his parents are idiots who lied about Santa Claus. My poor father tried very hard to keep me child- like, going to the point of taking his boots and putting them in the fireplace ashes and then traipsing about the house leaving footprints. It worked, that one year. After that, I helped him keep the myth alive for the younger children. It was fun and made me feel very grown up. Of course, I was probably 10 or 12 years old and was more than ready.

You can't afford that $300 gas powered car your 3 and 6 year old asked the mall Santa for? No problem. Asking for it was never a guarantee it would arrive, Santa ran out. Why doesn't Santa visit their Jewish friends? Easy. They don't celebrate Christmas. Period. Well some do, but not these particular Jewish friends. Santa Claus has become a secular figure that's why you see his helpers in all the stores and in some cities on every street corner. Everyone likes Santa, except a few mean old people who don't like chocolate or Mickey Mouse either. What about Joey's mom who says there is no Santa Claus? Well honey, some mommies prefer to buy the Christmas toys and leave Santa to deliver to less fortunate children. They tell their children there is no Santa so they won't expect expensive things, or worse, prefer their children know how much they sacrifice for a little extravagance.

Truth is, once my own children reached the non-believer stage, I fleetingly thought Santa was a silly idea to perpetuate. But I dare you to watch the expression on a young child's face on Christmas morning when he sees the presents under the tree, and not be moved by the sheer joy.

Joy is a commodity that is harder and harder to come by, even for children. Why deny them that moment? And why on earth would you want to deny yourself as a parent that wonderful phrase used so often during a hectic holiday season, "Santa Claus is watching."