Not 'doing' Santa

fluffnutter

At 5 months my baby's too young to care, but when he's older I'm not really going to do 'the santa thing' either. I won't say he doesn't exist but nor will I encourage him to believe in him. It just won't really get mentioned until he picks up from other people about Father Christmas. Then I guess I'll play it by ear a little.

My main objection is to using Santa as a method of behaviour control. I particularly can't abide this 'if you're not good, Santa will find out and you won't get any presents' nonsense. For a start, what parent actually follows that through? Does anyone really sit there on Christmas morning and tell their kids they're getting nothing? No, of course not. So it's just an empty threat and what's the point of that? Plus I don't like all that the Police will find out, the 'man' will find out, Santa will find out crap that parents come out with because they don't have the confidence or balls to discipline their own children.

And he doesn't exist. I want my son to believe that Christmas is nice thing that family and friends do together (he'll also get the religious aspect from my mother and brother which is fine by me). I want him to understand that it's the people who love him who give him presents and to thank them, not some fictitious fat bloke in a red suit.

fluffnutter

Nicki wrote: »

Its the run up to Christmas, and all her friends are discussing Santa and what he will bring. You aren't going to tell her he doesn't exist but also aren't doing the Santa thing. So what? She wakes up on Christmas morning all excited and there is nothing there for her.

I don't really understand. Why would there be nothing for her? She'll get presents surely? And you just say they're from mummy and daddy, grandma, grandpa etc. Which they are.

neneromanova

fluffnutter wrote: »

My main objection is to using Santa as a method of behaviour control. I particularly can't abide this 'if you're not good, Santa will find out and you won't get any presents' nonsense. For a start, what parent actually follows that through? Does anyone really sit there on Christmas morning and tell their kids they're getting nothing? No, of course not. So it's just an empty threat and what's the point of that? Plus I don't like all that the Police will find out, the 'man' will find out, Santa will find out crap that parents come out with because they don't have the confidence or balls to discipline their own children.

My dad got a stocking full of coal one year :rotfl: Nan said he'd been extremely naughty that year

thistledome

I didn't believe in Father Christmas as a child. I'd heard my Mum wrapping the presents and leaving them under the tree too. Didn't do me any harm and didn't make me enjoy Xmas less than other kids. So much fuss on this thread about something that's not important.

When I was about 7 I told another kid that there's no such thing as Father Christmas and the presents are bought by your Mum and Dad. His Dad came round that night in a rage and said the little dullard now thinks he isn't getting any presents. See what happens when you lie to your children....

Tell the truth. Kids don't have a problem going along with make believe characters - they'll enjoy Xmas whether Santa is real or fictional. Duh!

alias*alibi

fluffnutter wrote: »

At 5 months my baby's too young to care, but when he's older I'm not really going to do 'the santa thing' either. I won't say he doesn't exist but nor will I encourage him to believe in him. It just won't really get mentioned until he picks up from other people about Father Christmas. Then I guess I'll play it by ear a little.

My main objection is to using Santa as a method of behaviour control. I particularly can't abide this 'if you're not good, Santa will find out and you won't get any presents' nonsense. For a start, what parent actually follows that through? Does anyone really sit there on Christmas morning and tell their kids they're getting nothing? No, of course not. So it's just an empty threat and what's the point of that? Plus I don't like all that the Police will find out, the 'man' will find out, Santa will find out crap that parents come out with because they don't have the confidence or balls to discipline their own children.

And he doesn't exist. I want my son to believe that Christmas is nice thing that family and friends do together (he'll also get the religious aspect from my mother and brother which is fine by me). I want him to understand that it's the people who love him who give him presents and to thank them, not some fictitious fat bloke in a red suit.

Sorry, parents use the threat of telling Santa because they haven't got the balls or confidence to discipline their own children? And you've got the nerve to say that after being a parent for all of 5 months?!!!

Get off your high horse dear; it doesn't suit you.

shegirl

thistledome wrote: »

I didn't believe in Father Christmas as a child. I'd heard my Mum wrapping the presents and leaving them under the tree too. Didn't do me any harm and didn't make me enjoy Xmas less than other kids. So much fuss on this thread about something that's not important.

When I was about 7 I told another kid that there's no such thing as Father Christmas and the presents are bought by your Mum and Dad. His Dad came round that night in a rage and said the little dullard now thinks he isn't getting any presents. See what happens when you lie to your children....

Tell the truth. Kids don't have a problem going along with make believe characters - they'll enjoy Xmas whether Santa is real or fictional. Duh!

No..see what happens when your kid ruins it for others

shegirl

alias*alibi wrote: »

Sorry, parents use the threat of telling Santa because they haven't got the balls or confidence to discipline their own children? And you've got the nerve to say that after being a parent for all of 5 months?!!!

Get off your high horse dear; it doesn't suit you.

I think the santa haters take everything so seriously they don't see that the whole lot of it is fun,even the 'santa's watching' thing.

notanewuser

shegirl wrote: »

No..see what happens when your kid ruins it for others

So everyone should "go along with it" to cover the backs of those who have chosen to lie to their kids?

Have you considered a career in Government?

notanewuser

shegirl wrote: »

i think the santa haters take everything so seriously they don't see that the whole lot of it is fun,even the 'santa's watching' thing.

it's not santa hating!!!

shegirl

notanewuser wrote: »

So everyone should "go along with it" to cover the backs of those who have chosen to lie to their kids?

Have you considered a career in Government?

If you choose for your kids to be in the minority (which,lets face it it is) over this then at least make sure they don't go spoiling it for everyone else!