5AF Parenting Thread

[count2infinity]

We are a non-belief in Santa household. It's a little sad, but a relief in a way.

My wife asked me if we're going to do the Santa thing, and I didn't fully answer because I really don't know. Part of me wants to not do it, but hearing some of the excitement that kids get over Santa (sitting on his lap, asking for things, going to bed early so Santa can come, etc) kind of makes me want to do it. Luckily I can put it off until next year. Hell, we didn't even decorate for Christmas this year.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Our ten year old, as his wont, called us on our **** a day or two before Christmas. He "had a feeling" something was up when our closet was locked for two months. Also, we spread oatmeal in the lawn, aka reindeer food, and it wasn't gone last Christmas. That was the first clue, he said.

We had to tell his brother last year who was 11 and in sixth grade, who loves mystery and fantasy, and probably would've gone to college believing in Santa. He was legitimately devastated. No joke, I was upset about it.

[count2infinity]

Oh, so they did believe for a while... I see what you mean now. We're considering not doing it from the get go.

[NTP66]

c2i hates Santa confirmed.

[meow]

How was this years harvest of oats from the front lawn?

No doing Santa from the get go? You damn millennials are killing Santa

[DigitalGypsy66]

I'm glad we did the Santa thing. It was sweet for many years, and then leverage for a few years. It was fun.

[Freddy Rumsen]

We've never done Santa as real.

I'm of the opinion that I can't tell them to believe in two things they can't "see" and then come to find out I've been lying about the one who gives them toys. Makes believing in the deity who doesn't grant TMNT and D.C. Superhero Girls trinkets when desired a little more difficult.

Get your jokes in about the deity

[count2infinity]

We're just considering it. It's a different day and age. I would prefer Belsnickel.

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

@Freddy Rumsen you're lucky dodint doesn't come in this thread...

[count2infinity]

@Freddy Rumsen you're lucky dodint doesn't come in this thread...

Not true... he does.

[Freddy Rumsen]

I'm not under any delusion of the general feeling here.

[shafnutz05]

We're just considering it. It's a different day and age.

I get what you're saying, but this kind of stuff definitely makes me sad. As kids get more and more connected and wired into tech I can see it being a lot harder to keep up illusions of Santa and stuff like that. The joy on my daughter's face with anything Santa-related warms my heart.

And btw, a little bit of brandy on the fingertip does help.

[NTP66]

Source of the postIt was sweet for many years, and then leverage for a few years.

Yep!

[count2infinity]

There are children all over the world that don't celebrate Christmas at all and get by just fine. Even if we go that route, I'd certainly still tell her the stories of Christmas... Santa included, but I'm not going to read her Harry Potter and try to convince her that it's real.

I know people always say to remember the reason for the season, but Christmas has grown beyond Christianity (sorry Freddy). I know I enjoy the charity, the happiness, the love, and the family togetherness that comes with Christmas and that's really what I want her to know.

[shafnutz05]

You can do both, IMO. We are big on making sure our daughter knows how fortunate she is, and how important it is to be kind and generous towards others. I dunno...I derived a lot of joy from Santa when I was young.

[meow]

Santa brings one gift for us. mrs meow and I are very transparent that we bought the rest of the gifts.

[count2infinity]

I didn't. He was watching me at all times and I had to behave or I didn't get presents. I behaved, I still didn't get presents while other kids who are constantly in trouble got all sorts of cool stuff from Santa. Nothing about it made sense or brought joy to me as a child, which is probably why I'm considering not doing it.

[tjand72]

The Children's Museum is open at 9 AM all this week. We went this morning and had the run of the place for at least an hour.

[mac5155]

it seems rather early but i think our kids teeth are starting to hurt him too. And he's sick. And we're fairly certain he's hitting a growth spurt.

it's been a fun few days

[MWB]

I didn't. He was watching me at all times and I had to behave or I didn't get presents. I behaved, I still didn't get presents while other kids who are constantly in trouble got all sorts of cool stuff from Santa. Nothing about it made sense or brought joy to me as a child, which is probably why I'm considering not doing it.

I think it’s best to pass on the traditions that you and your wife value. If that’s not Santa, so be it. I always enjoyed the Santa thing growing up, and my girls did as well, but I can certainly understand the other side. If your kid doesn’t have the Santa part, you just make it special your own way.

[NTP66]

Let’s say you go the non-Santa route. Does this also mean that you don’t decorate your house for Christmas?

[count2infinity]

Let’s say you go the non-Santa route. Does this also mean that you don’t decorate your house for Christmas?

No. Like I said, I enjoy Christmas. I just don’t like tricking a kid into thinking Santa is real. I would have to look it up, but something tells me the decorating of a Christmas tree predates Saint Nick. Also, my wife and I haven’t believed in Santa for years, but we still hang stockings.

[Freddy Rumsen]

I'm with c2i

[NTP66]

I meant decorations in general, be it outside lights or the tree. Either way, gotcha.

[Freddy Rumsen]

There's nothing like the constant sound of 12 year old girl talk.