The whole make-believe thing is fun, and I get that. In my opinion the point, though, to make-believe and using imagination is that children understand the scenario is not real. Otherwise, it isn't make believe it's deception.
We like Santa here. I'm not anti-Santa. I tell my kids that Santa is a wonderfully fun character. Like Nemo or Curious George. The myth of Santa is a great story! It's really fun to ponder how he could get his reindeer to walk on the roof without slipping, or how he fits down a narrow chimney, or flies around the world so fast. It's fun to imagine him in his workshop surrounded by elves making the perfect gift for us.
It's fun and we do those things and play those games. We put Santa stickers in our coloring book, but I always keep them in check by adding "Santa's not a real person" or "this is such a fun story".
The funny thing is, Weston doesn't believe me. I tell him Santa is not real, and he laughs and says, "of course he is". There have been times when he's gotten quiet (with that inquisitive look in his eye)...... like he's thinking real hard. Weighing the evidence and all the information, but the fact remains that Wes thinks I'm just plain wrong (that I'm well meaning but ill informed). It's okay, one day he'll understand.
The rational behind my Santa truth vigil is strong (and I believe valid). I'm not one for lying to my kids. I value the truth and I hope they will too. How can you teach a child to tell you the truth? To value the truth? I think the only way is to be the example, yourself.
That's my goal. I want them to know they can come to me, with any question and I will always give them and honest answer. They can count on me for the truth. For this to work when they are teenagers, I believe it has to start now.
Also, I believe it's important for my kids to know the real reason we celebrate Christmas. So every year we have a birthday cake for Jesus..... we sing and we blow out candles...... then open presents. We read stories about the birth of Jesus and the first Christmas, and I am always sure to tell them. That Jesus is real, that he is not a character, it's not just a story. It actually happened! This makes the story of Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the manger so much more fascinating, because this story is special..... it's REAL.





















