What *IS* the point of teaching a child about Santa Claus?

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: kami
Is it possible to kiss anymore ass Grasshopper? LOL

BTW, can you tell Thumper's got me well trained?

Grasshopper

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: grasshopper26

Originally posted by: kami
Is it possible to kiss anymore ass Grasshopper? LOL

*smooches HotChic*

There, happy now?

Grasshopper

:Q Given the place-specific nature of the question, let me state: YOU DON'T GO THERE!

 

[Geekbabe]

Because it's like magic and it's fun

What's really magical is as they grow up you can teach them that they too can be Santa

 

[Pastore]

Tradition?

 

[MrCodeDude]

I always liked the idea of having Santa come down my chimney and give me presents. Rather than it's Jesus's birthday, so your parents get you presents.
-- mrcodedude

 

[tm37]

So are you guys saying there is no Santa Clause:Q

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: tm37
So are you guys saying there is no Santa Clause:Q

Oh no, there is a Santa Clause. According to the movie by the same name, it's a little bit of print at the bottom of a contract.

 

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: HotChic
:Q Given the place-specific nature of the question, let me state: YOU DON'T GO THERE!

*smooches HotChic somewhere else*

LOL! Sorry, for some reason at 1am after four beers, that sounds funny to me...

*runs off laughing*

edit:

*runs back in and hugs HotChic for being such a good sport*

Grasshopper

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: HotChic

Originally posted by: conjur
It's magical.

Seriously...just the thought of something magic in the air that night. I always enjoyed it as a child and I enjoy seeing the faces on my girls on Christmas morning. My oldest is 15 and has been out of believing for some time and this will be the last year, I'm sure, for my 8 year-old. I think it represents a bit of innocence, too.

I can see it promoting excitement, so that might be a function. But as for innocence, that almost seems like a cultural typing of the idea. We connect believe in Santa Claus with innocence because only children believe in Santa Claus, and they only do that because they are taught to, and they trust their teachers. I'd say there is no intrinsic connection between innocence and belief in Santa, more of a connection between trust and that belief. Which then brings up the question, why would you mislead a child who trusts you to tell the truth, even in a completely nonharmful way?

There are many cultures that believe in Santa or a form of him
we can only really discuss our own.
We culturally connect trust with innocence so consider that. The dissolution of trust we believe to be maturation and the preservation of blind trust into maturity we consider naiivete.
I have considered this question when speaking to my daughter (4.5) I've told her there is a Santa, because there is, to me.
I don't think she really believes in the person, but I'm certain she believes in the magic.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: grasshopper26

Originally posted by: HotChic

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
Santa doesn't preserve a child's "innocence" in any way. It shows their "innocence" which is something I suppose parents like.

What exactly do you mean by "innocence" in quotes?

Children are not little adults, and I think a lot of people want to treat them that way.

The world is magical to a 6 year old, that is how it should be...

Grasshopper

IMO the truth is that adults are big children. i'm quite serious about that. My 4 year old has given me an entirely new insight into my own behavior and that of other adults.

 

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: djheater
IMO the truth is that adults are big children. i'm quite serious about that. My 4 year old has given me an entirely new insight into my own behavior and that of other adults.

LOL!

That's true you know... Or to put it better, parents are big children! Adults without children sometimes take themselves WAY too seriously.

*laughs at self*

Grasshopper

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: grasshopper26

Originally posted by: djheater
IMO the truth is that adults are big children. i'm quite serious about that. My 4 year old has given me an entirely new insight into my own behavior and that of other adults.

LOL!

That's true you know... Or to put it better, parents are big children! Adults without children sometimes take themselves WAY too seriously.

*laughs at self*

Grasshopper

Very true. You don't have the benefit of a little girl to tell you, "Daddy, you're grumpy. You probably need a nap."

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: tm37
So are you guys saying there is no Santa Clause:Q

Lies Lies Lies I tell you. Santa is comming to my house at 4:00 am on the 25th. He always does

 

[Willoughbyva]

So since so many people get upset when someone tells a child there is no Santa. Would Santa Clause be considered a religion? I know it has roots in religion depending on how you look at the tradition through time.

To be honset I wish that I had been told there was no santa clause when I was little. When I found out it really upset me.

 

[dethman]

try to get 'em to be good.

 

[dethman]

for at least between thanksgiving and christmas anyway.

 

[Vampirrella]

teaching them the spirit of xmas and to stay out of trouble all year long

 

[Jfur]

Originally posted by: HotChic

Originally posted by: gopunk
i think most people just like to indulge their children's fantasies every once in a while... it's some thing that is fun and makes everybody feel good.

But the fantasies are not an inherent part of childhood; these ones are created by adults and *then* indulged by them. More of a nostalgia thing that keeps it going, almost.

if you look closely enough, pretty much EVERYTHING we tach our children is fantastical