Should we tell our kids Santa is real?

[Planeia]

Alright NSG, most of us have been there. We grew up believing in a pretty awesome dude that everybody loved because he could give the entire world presents in under the span of twelve hours: Santa Claus.

Of course, we all remember that devastating day when we found out that Santa Claus was in fact Dad in a costume, AKA NOT REAL.

Many parents tell their children about Santa Claus. I want to know what you guys think, so that further down the road, when I have kids, I'll know what to do when it comes to Christmas and Santa Claus.

Should we tell our kids to believe in Santa Claus?

I don't really have a clear opinion on this, because I want others' opinions and suggestions for when I have kids.

But here goes anyway: I'm agnostic, and therefore I plan on keeping a secular household. I will allow my children to believe in whatever the hell they want, but I'll try my best to indirectly keep bullshit and other stuff from indoctrinating and corrupting them. Santa Claus is pretty harmless, so I'll let them believe that. Santa Claus brings joy to many kids, that jolly dude. I'm still trying to figure out how I'll break the bad news to them, though.

Anyway, like I said, I'm looking for suggestions. What do you guys think, should we tell our kids Santa Claus is real, and if so, how and why?

[Costa Fierro]

Well, we lie to them about other things.

[The Liberated Territories]

Wh-wha?

Santa's not real?

[Neragua]

Well, we lie to them about other things.

Yup. My thoughts, too.

[Empire of Narnia]

Santa is real. Don't let the Liberal Atheists tell you otherwise. I know for a fact he is real.

[Costa Fierro]

Santa is real. Don't let the Liberal Atheists tell you otherwise. I know for a fact he is real.

Point to me on the Santa doll where he touched you.

[The Likisan Military District]

Yes, because it bring enjoyment and excitement to the children in the cold months, however only up to a certain age. This is because if they always believe it, then they'll stay up late at night to get him, even when they work, be disappointed when he doesn't come, and possibly no go to work the next day for whatever reason.

[Albadore]

Santa is real, he may not be physical, but he's as real as you and I. You can't truly say you don't believe in him, what he stands for. So what he's with the toot fairy and easter bunny? He brings joy to people young and old alike. I know my children will be told of good old Santa Claus

[Uudempi Neva]

http://infolocata.com/mirovia/irrefutable-proof-that-santa-is-odin/

[Empire of Narnia]

Santa is real. Don't let the Liberal Atheists tell you otherwise. I know for a fact he is real.

Point to me on the Santa doll where he touched you.

That's not funny. That's offensive. You are probably just jealous that he doesn't give you presents. I know he gives me presents because he gives me gifts I didn't ask anybody but him for.

[Costa Fierro]

You are probably just jealous that he doesn't give you presents.

I'm 21. Presents come in the form of whatever the parents ask me what I want for Christmas. Usually it's just money.

I know he gives me presents because he gives me gifts I didn't ask anybody but him for.

Interesting. How old are you?

[Manisdog]

Thank God I always knew this and my dad never did such weird things

[Ximea]

I've always been a little uncomfortable with the idea of deliberately giving children false information about the world. I suppose in this case it's harmless, but I place a high value on truth and it simply bothers me. Fortunately, it's not a problem I'll ever have to deal with.

[The Orson Empire]

I've always been a little uncomfortable with the idea of deliberately giving children false information about the world. I suppose in this case it's harmless, but I place a high value on truth and it simply bothers me. Fortunately, it's not a problem I'll ever have to deal with.

Yeah...I find it very peculiar that parents are so willing to deliberately lie to their children.

[Giovenith]

What are you talking about? My mommy never lies. Santa is real. There's no such thing as a real non-Santa believer, anyone who claims to not believe in him is just secretly angry at him for not bringing them good enough presents.

[Costa Fierro]

Yeah...I find it very peculiar that parents are so willing to deliberately lie to their children.

So why should we not lie to children but lie to everyone else?

[Arcanda]

It will make them happy for a few years, and sad, for what, a day or two ? I think it's worth it.

Having a Muslim mother and an Agnostic father, I've never really believed in it.Only my grandparents made the effort to make me believe, but, I think I realized the truth fast enough...

[Beta Test]

No, I really do not think this is a good thing. It's an unneeded lie that takes advantage of a child's natural naivety. Why should we be teaching children to expect gifts from a strange man who lives in the North Pole when we can teach them about giving to each other? It also can be quite damaging to a child's sense of trust, both of their parents and of others.

Perhaps most annoying to me though is when parents use it to bribe or coerce their children into behaving well. Good behavior should be taught for it's own sake, not as a means to get stuff.

[New Orients]

If you do that, they can easily think that Noah, Moses and Jesus are fictional too.

No, wait.

[The Liberated Territories]

If you do that, they can easily think that Noah, Moses and Jesus are fictional too.

No, wait.

I'm pretty sure all three of the above had lived at one point.

[Costa Fierro]

Perhaps most annoying to me though is when parents use it to bribe or coerce their children into behaving well. Good behavior should be taught for it's own sake, not as a means to get stuff.

Isn't that how the world works though? You do a good day's work, you get paid. Go above and beyond and you might get a pay rise. Work shit and you get fired and you are left without a job.

Getting kids to behave by "rewarding" them with presents at Christmas is no different to getting your workers to work harder and be more productive by dangling a promotion or a pay rise above them. Carrot and stick.

[Empire of Africa]

I am not a parent, but that does not mean I have not been in their shoes. I told my brother that Santa isn't real, and I personally don't see anything wrong with that mistake. He is perfectly fine, and he doesn't cry. 'Santa' bears no significance in his life, so I think that parents can tell their children if they wish to that he ain't real.

[Ximea]

If you do that, they can easily think that Noah, Moses and Jesus are fictional too.

No, wait.

I'm pretty sure all three of the above had lived at one point.

There are people who would strongly disagree with you, especially with regard to the first one.

[Costa Fierro]

If you do that, they can easily think that Noah, Moses and Jesus are fictional too.

No, wait.

I'm pretty sure all three of the above had lived at one point.

God is not though. Yet we have over a billion people believing in his existence.

[New Stinkonia]

I have nothing but good memories of believing in Santa. It's not the end of the world when you find out it's fake. I say go ahead and let little kids believe in it.