Why isn't Santa coming this year? (because your mom mismanaged $)

[sv2007]

Part of my online entertainment is reading tabloid news. Here's one I read:

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/teen-spends-entire-paycheck-family-afford-christmas/story?id=44412998

First thing I did after reading was ask my 6yr old whether there's Santa Claus (I realized that I've never told him there's no Santa Claus). His quick answer is "no", then he followed up with "because he's imaginary". Ok, fine; I was just curious what he thought because I've tried to get him to believe in the tooth fairy (and failed).

Ok, anyway, I can understand tight finances cutting in Christmas gifts -- even if many gifts can be free (like going to the library to read a few stories or have a winter picnic or attending free concerts whatever). But why would a parent tell a 10 year old (seeminlgly normal kid based on the article) that Santa isn't coming? ... and the 10 yr old believed it too!

Just say "no money for gifts" <-- let the kid know, let him know to save $ and the importance of money management.

[StormRichards]

First thing I did after reading was ask my 6yr old whether there's Santa Claus (I realized that I've never told him there's no Santa Claus).

Christmas was 3 days ago and you didn't know whether your 6yr old believed in Santa?

[sv2007]

I never asked him about his take on Santa's existence. It isn't something I cared that much about to worry whether he believes to not.

However, I can't imagine any 10 yr old truely believing in Santa Claus delivering gifts becuase they must have read about things.

Stories that put a positive spin on irresponsible parenting serve to perpetuate such bad parenting. What's this mom going to do about next Christmas? Better to just say there's no money and craft a toy with her kid instead.

Don't like a situation? Then take responsibility and make improvements.

[rennigade]

This thread left me so confused I need to go offline for a couple minutes. Be back later.

[StormRichards]

I never asked him about his take on Santa's existence. It isn't something I cared that much about to worry whether he believes to not.

We were at a get together in August that consisted of 7 (including ours) families. The kids were all outside playing and the topic came up as to who's kids still believe in Santa. Every single parent knew whether or not their child believed or not.

[GoodSteward]

I didn't read the link, but given your explanation, I think it's silly that a parent would do that. They are basically passing the blame off, being irresponsible. This is similar to how some parents will blame a chair for a small child being hurt by one. It's a silly way of trying to get the child to calm down and doesn't really appear to be harmful, but what it does it start teaching the child to blame other things for their choices. They chose to run around and didn't look and hit the chair, yet it's the chairs fault. Silly to think that is harmful? Just look at all the youth today that blame parents, government, economy, etc for their dumb situations(massive debt, poor education choices(useless degrees), etc) when it was their choices that got them there. I see no difference with the parent doing that to a child.

My kids knew at a young age Santa wasn't real, as in a person living today, by the fact that we explained he was a fictional character from the start. The only reason a child would think Santa is real is if they are led to believe that based on their friends and family. None our family plays the "Lie to my kids" game. My kids got in trouble for telling other kids in school he wasn't real. So, they get in trouble to telling the truth? Nice. It amazes me at the length of lies people tell just to have a child believe in a fictional character. From my research, there was a man by the name of St Nick that did give gifts to poor people without them knowing, so God would get the glory. From that it turned into what we see today. So sad.

While this isn't really a normal experience, I know of one mother who admitted that she allowed her child to believe Santa was real. The day he found out he wasn't real he was devastated. Not that Santa wasn't real, but that his parents had lied to him and let him believe it. Just something to think about.

[sv2007]

While this isn't really a normal experience, I know of one mother who admitted that she allowed her child to believe Santa was real. The day he found out he wasn't real he was devastated. Not that Santa wasn't real, but that his parents had lied to him and let him believe it. Just something to think about.

One thing that changed our son a lot is reading. Once he was able to read independently, he seems to able to form ideas and see the world in a mature way.

This also reminds me to pay attention to what he reads. Young minds are easily influenced.

I also asked him that if there is no Santa, then who lives at north pole? He couldn't answer it. So I rephrased my question, if he thinks anybody could live there? We did some research on north pole and conditions, and he reached his conclusion. It was a fun activity together.

[sv2007]

We were at a get together in August that consisted of 7 (including ours) families. The kids were all outside playing and the topic came up as to who's kids still believe in Santa. Every single parent knew whether or not their child believed or not.

I try not to put ideas on whether there is Santa or not into my kid's head; for these unimportant things (although unimportant, they are useful). Let him decide on his own; so I don't necessarily know what he thinks about these topics.

I didn't even know wife already knew that he thinks there's no Santa unlit i told her about my "discovery".

If I asked my friends whether their kids believed Santa exists out of the blue, I'd bet many wouldn't know too. Unless they are Christians or something that deals with Christmas and it's surroundings more, but most probably wouldn't know.

[GoodSteward]

If I asked my friends whether their kids believed Santa exists out of the blue, I'd bet many wouldn't know too. Unless they are Christians or something that deals with Christmas and it's surroundings more, but most probably wouldn't know.

I think the point is that parents avoid asking to try to keep the "fun" going. If you ask them if he is real that puts doubt in their minds. Pretty sure parents avoid that and assume the kid believes.

[StormRichards]

I didn't even know wife already knew that he thinks there's no Santa unlit i told her about my "discovery".

I am not surprised by the above