Comments on: Teaching Your Child To Lie?! http://lilagribben.com/2009/12/12/teaching-your-child-to-lie/ Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:22:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Alan in Belfast http://lilagribben.com/2009/12/12/teaching-your-child-to-lie/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Alan in Belfast Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:31:38 +0000 http://lilagribben.com/?p=16#comment-46 My (very limited) experience is that by not over-egging the Santa concept - ie, not making a big deal of visiting him or expecting presents specifically from him, etc - then Littl'un treats Santa as part of the end-of-year mythology, but hasn't become fixated with him. She recognises that there are lots of Santas around - some of which she deems not to be real! - articulates that he often avoids the chimney and comes in the front door instead, but never once asked on Christmas morning what presents were from him. Santa seems to be somewhat higher up the pecking order than Rudolf, but much below parents and friends. Treat Santa casually, and kids won't make him more important than he needs to be. My (very limited) experience is that by not over-egging the Santa concept – ie, not making a big deal of visiting him or expecting presents specifically from him, etc – then Littl’un treats Santa as part of the end-of-year mythology, but hasn’t become fixated with him.

She recognises that there are lots of Santas around – some of which she deems not to be real! – articulates that he often avoids the chimney and comes in the front door instead, but never once asked on Christmas morning what presents were from him. Santa seems to be somewhat higher up the pecking order than Rudolf, but much below parents and friends.

Treat Santa casually, and kids won’t make him more important than he needs to be.

]]> By: lila http://lilagribben.com/2009/12/12/teaching-your-child-to-lie/comment-page-1/#comment-14 lila Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:34:34 +0000 http://lilagribben.com/?p=16#comment-14 Fair enough, you are a bit more complicated lol :-) Fair enough, you are a bit more complicated lol :-)

]]> By: Jessica http://lilagribben.com/2009/12/12/teaching-your-child-to-lie/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Jessica Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:15:14 +0000 http://lilagribben.com/?p=16#comment-8 Hey...all you have to do is explain why you don't teach Tamar about "Santa". I have to explain why I don't celebrate Christmas, and why Thanksgiving is NOT an American Christmas... ;) Hey…all you have to do is explain why you don’t teach Tamar about “Santa”. I have to explain why I don’t celebrate Christmas, and why Thanksgiving is NOT an American Christmas… ;)

]]> By: lila http://lilagribben.com/2009/12/12/teaching-your-child-to-lie/comment-page-1/#comment-7 lila Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:36:07 +0000 http://lilagribben.com/?p=16#comment-7 Thank you for your comment. Yes I agree that not believing does no harm whatsoever, so maybe it's a case of better safe than sorry :-) Of course I know many readers will feel that this it a little extreme, but it's one of those things we all have to agree to disagree on. Thank you for your comment. Yes I agree that not believing does no harm whatsoever, so maybe it’s a case of better safe than sorry :-) Of course I know many readers will feel that this it a little extreme, but it’s one of those things we all have to agree to disagree on.

]]> By: Jessica http://lilagribben.com/2009/12/12/teaching-your-child-to-lie/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Jessica Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:04:17 +0000 http://lilagribben.com/?p=16#comment-6 Interesting concept. Now, I never had that particular issue growing up, but I can see how it could lead to confusion. A friend of mine got inspired and explained to her 3-year-old son what Christmas was...and the end result was that it was a birthday party for Jesus, with Santa as the party-planner! The holidays should be magic for kids, and it's up to the parents to decide what sort of magic will be provided. Never having believed in a "mystical person/creature" associated with holidays, I can't say how it would affect someone when they find out it's not true. However, I do know for a fact that NOT believing in a character does no harm whatsoever. And, I think it probably helps bring the focus back to the point of the holiday itself. Hope you and Andrew and Tamar have a fantastic Christmas. I'm off to light the menorah for night #2. :) Interesting concept. Now, I never had that particular issue growing up, but I can see how it could lead to confusion. A friend of mine got inspired and explained to her 3-year-old son what Christmas was…and the end result was that it was a birthday party for Jesus, with Santa as the party-planner!

The holidays should be magic for kids, and it’s up to the parents to decide what sort of magic will be provided. Never having believed in a “mystical person/creature” associated with holidays, I can’t say how it would affect someone when they find out it’s not true. However, I do know for a fact that NOT believing in a character does no harm whatsoever. And, I think it probably helps bring the focus back to the point of the holiday itself.

Hope you and Andrew and Tamar have a fantastic Christmas. I’m off to light the menorah for night #2. :)

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