That's it. You're tired of sneaking around the house to hide the presents, telling your child that No, those aren't squirrels in the attic, it's Santa on the roof!, eating the carrots left out for Rudolph (okay, so maybe you still enjoy those cookies for Santa..) and holding your breath every time your kid uses the internet. It's time to let them know the truth. That Santa is fake. A myth. A story. A fraud. Nothing special. Here's how.
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"Listen, Bobby...there's no such thing as Santa Claus. He's not real."
Okay, maybe not the best solution, as it will inevitably end up with crying, shouting, tantrums, a sudden urge for chocolate--er..maybe that's just me. But if it's been long enough, maybe little Bobby will just take it with stride. Reassure Bobby that he is still, in fact, going to receive presents. Once his short attention span takes him back to the television, you are free to sigh with relief.
Okay, maybe not the best solution, as it will inevitably end up with crying, shouting, tantrums, a sudden urge for chocolate--er..maybe that's just me. But if it's been long enough, maybe little Bobby will just take it with stride. Reassure Bobby that he is still, in fact, going to receive presents. Once his short attention span takes him back to the television, you are free to sigh with relief.
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But "nothing special"? I would disagree. Even if one doesn't believe in saints as being any different than anyone else, still I would say that a person that is generous and kind is always special. But again, that may be considered a matter of opinion.
I don't know precise figures, but a large percentage of the planet's population is Christian. About a third, I think? And over half of those are either Catholic or Greek Orthodox, and I know those have St. Nicholas as a member of good standing in their lists of saints. I think that'd be around 2 billion people or so? But the belief in saints in general is not limited to the Christian faith and may also be found in Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim sects, to name just a few. While those religions might not specifically recognise Nicholas, they have significant numbers of people who believe in the existence of saints in general.
I almost didn't post on this matter here, since I have noted that religious or "supernatural" ideas are frequently not well received. But there are some facts to consider and one of those facts is that a great many people around the world *do* believe in saints. Part of that belief is that the spirits of those people called saints continue to try and help and/or inspire the living. It is not simply an honorific title used to designate a person they thought did well when alive.
In any case, I would say that a better answer might be to tell the child as much of the history as they can understand and explain that a considerable number of people do believe that St. Nicholas is real. How much more than that you explain would depend on how much research you are willing to do and how comfortable you are discussing religious beliefs (that you perhaps don't subscribe to) with your child. You could discuss what you and the child are comfortable with at the time, and let them enjoy some of the pleasant (if perhaps overly commercial at times) fictional additions to St Nicholas while they may. As they grow older and understand more, then tell them more or show them how to research the topic for themselves.
So far as being tired of hiding presents and eating the occasional carrot or cookie, well I certainly hope that someone went to that bother for you (at least when you were small) so you could have the fun of it. I also hope that you enjoy your children having fun at least enough to make a bit of a similar effort for them.
Even discounting all "supernatural elements", the story of a person who was generous and kind can inspire people to find it in themselves to be more generous to those in need and kind to others.
I am 48 yrs old. I have 4 children, ranging from 10 yrs old to 28. What I have told here has been my answer to all of them on the topic of Santa Claus. I am not Catholic or Greek Orthodox and for that matter don't consider myself a Christian. But as you may have deduced from my post, I do believe in Santa Claus.
Daniel
Now that I'm a Dad, I do the paper thing with my kids. I'm not sure if the 11 year old knows yet or not. I don't want to ask, but I think she's ready to know....
Maybe you could ask your daughter what she wants from Santa this year and fancy it up, adding stories on how Santa will be expecting his cookies and how Rudolph wants celery rather than carrots this year. If she goes along with it, she believes. If she says "Cut the crap, dad. I want this and this and this from this page on this catalogue..." then you know.
If Santa does not exist, then why does SAC NORAD track him going around the world each December 24th? Not to mention that most military installations with any kind of air field track him as well.
Now how can you tell me he isn't real?
http://www.noradsanta.org/
(but I still think he's real!)
The Santa we visit every year at the mall is quite real. And seems to follow us around to the different shopping malls we go to. I think he chain smokes on his break, reeks of alcohol if you get close enough, seems in need of a better dental plan and the prices he charges for pictures seems to go up every year. Please do not pass on bad information.
Thanks,
The Management.
Why do you write your comments in the form of letters?
Sincerely,
mason0190
*sob*
Goodness. Why not let your kids stay kids and enjoy the magic of Santa until they figure it out or outgrow the idea? I'm 23 and I still want to believe.
I've been good all this time for nothing!
We suddenly realised that they knew when their "letters to Santa" started including catalogue page numbers and the names of local stockists.
Actually, I don't think the youngest has ever believed in Santa, but, you know what? I still wait up until stupid-o-clock on Christmas Eve so that I can sneak a bulging stocking to the foot of each bed.