As Christmas approaches people inevitably begin asking my kids, “Is Santa coming to see you? Have you seen Santa, yet?” and other related fat man questions. And here’s the thing, my kids know Santa is pretend.
As a Christian, the birth of Jesus is everything to me. It was the fulfillment of prophecies and the foundation of my faith, and I personally don’t want to dilute or confuse it’s importance for my kids. I don’t think that Santa is bad, and when Aubrey asked me again just a few days ago, “Momma is Santa real?” I answered without hesitation, “Yes he is.”
She crawled into my lap as I told her the true story of Kris Kringle and how he embodied the Christmas spirit. I told Aubrey how he had given selflessly and because of this became Father Christmas.
My question is this, children have such vivid and wonderful imaginations , why NOT include them in the charade? My kids know it’s really Mommy and Daddy putting their presents under the tree, but that doesn’t stop us from hanging our stockings and rushing to bed so “Santa” can come, or even going to sit in his lap. They understand Mickey Mouse isn’t real but it didn’t dampen their enthusiasm a bit when we went to Disney World.
Aubrey and Emma pretend they are princesses, puppy dogs and kittens and they aren’t disappointed when I tell them they are really little girls. They understand pretend. Likewise, they have never been upset by Santa being pretend. Because we all play along together there will never be the dreaded conversation and subsequent let down of “letting the cat out of the bag.”
What’s your Santa situation?
Jeni said:
same exact thing here…
I sure don't want her asking me what her daddy asked his mama when he found out…"Then what about Jesus?!"
we pretend and she's fine with it…now, how to keep her from spoiling it for all of her little school friends who ACTUALLY believe in Santa!
Agreed Jeni!
I try to avoid that by never saying he's not real…
Santa is pretend at our house. My MIL insists on saying he came, but I tell them it's pretend for fun.
We play up the Santa thing, but my son just wants toys and he doesn't care who brings them. He knows Daddy is a softy and will by him a train from Target any day of the week. I like the way you do it, Robin. It's an excellent way to have fun without overshadowing what Christmas is about.
Us too! My boys know that the story of Santa is a really great story but no one sneaks into our house on Christmas Eve and the men in the mall are wearing costumes. At Christmas they know that Mommy & Daddy give them 3 gifts because our Lord received 3 gifts from the Wise Men.
Santa's NOT REAL????? What are you talking about Robin???? haha jk. I don't remember if my parents ever claimed he was "real" I don't think so. I do remember going down stairs excited to see what "santa" brought. But at age 6 I figured out that he really wasnt "real"!
LOVE the way you "pretend"…good example! I have an 18mth old & I often think of the years to come when he starts to understand more…I want him to understand and KNOW the real meaning & reason for celebrating Christmas, not just Santa. Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!