Not 'doing' Santa

balletshoes

broace wrote: »

Well normally Parent's would not let their very young Children sit on a complete strangers knee.

Don't know about you but the majority of photo's i've seen of baby/toddler sitting on santa the kids don't look too pleased!

really? for a minute? I did - and didn't feel weird about it. I took the kind offer from an airline steward for him to sit with my baby on his knee while I went to the toilet on a flight once.

The parents are there in the grotto with Santa you know - the kid doesn't go in there all alone. Anyway, I think most shopping centre Santas no longer have the kids sitting on their knee, presumably because of folk who have similar opinions to you. They have the children stand beside them or sit on a chair next to them (still with their parents in the room with them).

shegirl

broace wrote: »

Bit pervy.

You find that pervy?

Jesus,you need to get out more

OrkneyStar

shegirl wrote: »

There was always something nice about sitting on his knee with his arm around you. Made it more real and special than just sitting near him.

But as somebody who doesn't like Santa you wouldn't get it would you.

Why do you insist on assuming what I would 'get'? :mad:
All I am saying is, I don't think the kids will be too bothered by not sitting on his knee, especially if they never have.

OrkneyStar

shegirl wrote: »

Do they do any with Jesus on?

Don't know. I saw these on a friends FB wall, and it just made me laugh.
Google it, there might well be, if that floats your boat, pardon the pun .

shegirl

broace wrote: »

Yes because it's totally normal to let your young child sit on a strangers knee whilst they hold them close.

Yes,it had been perfectly normal for children to sit on Santas knee like that for many many years.

I also suggest that if you think that is 'holding them close' that you have never had much of a love life...

But,no, feel free to remove innocence from life

OrkneyStar

In every walk of life there are people who abuse trust, as a result the rest of us have to be very very cautious. Personally I see no problem with sitting beside, as opposed to knee, if it does prevent the 1 in a 100, 1000, million chance of one child having an experience which may well traumatise them for a long time. That's just life nowadays, and the santa thing is by no means stand-alone in that regard. Not saying I like it, but what is the alternative?

shegirl

broace wrote: »

Don't see why it's removing the innocence of life. It;s just being rational and concerned over your childs safety.

Only time I went to visit Santa I was told that I started crying and refused to sit on this strangers knee.

In that case,I guess you refuse to allow anyone in a care setting to change your childs nappy? Or refuse for anyone within a school or any other setting to be alone with your child at any point?

What exactly do you think Santa is going to do in the incredibly short period of time a child would be sat on his knee with the parents present?

jellyhead

balletshoes wrote: »

And whats this talk of Disney movies not being real :eek::eek::eek: - well thats well and truly burst my bubble :rotfl:!

:rotfl:

I don't think Pocahontas was particularly accurate. My 7 year old was picking holes in Hercules recently, but he still loves it

As for Aladdin - that had better be real. It's been my lifelong ambition to find a magic carpet :T

OrkneyStar

shegirl wrote: »

What exactly do you think Santa is going to do in the incredibly short period of time a child would be sat on his knee with the parents present?

Seriously, I hate to even think it, but if someone 'enjoys' the presence of children for more 'sinister' reasons, they may well just be getting weird kicks from having them on their knee- the child or parent may not realise this, but that doesn't make it ok.
I am sure anything like this would be in the minority of course, but still.
Just to say also, this is my opinion on this slant of the topic, and is not why I don't do santa. TBH I had not thought of this until someone brought it up. It is valid though I think.

pelirocco

pinkshoes wrote: »

Me and my OH are also atheist, and have a just turned 2 year old.

I actually think that most bible stories after the birth of Jesus are true (or at least loosely based around an event that actually happened!), therefore the story of St Nicholas (a rich man and devout Christian who decided to discretely give his wealth to those in need) is quite sweet and moral.

People got bored of the St Nicholas tale, and he then got re-invented as Santa/Father Christmas - a person who likes to share.

I don't think you have to be religious to do a Santa Stocking. It's just a reminder to children that some people are less fortunate than others, so sometimes it's nice to think of others before yourself.

How many parents and children who give/get Santa stockings actually know WHY they're getting them???

On this basis, my son will be getting a stocking!

What Bible stories after the birth of Christ are you referring to ? because as far as I am aware they all refer to the life of Christ , so not sure you can be an atheist yet believe Bible stories are true?

But then again I am not sure St Nic appears in the bible:rotfl: