? for those that don't teach LOs that santa is real

[Gitrecca]

I really struggled with this one. My husband and I had several talks about it, cause I never knew how to respond. Since Santa themed stuff is a part of our world, we talk about St. Nicholas and where the "santa" idea came from. We treat the "What is Santa bringing you for Christmas" question the same as a PP. We just tell our son they're asking what he would like for Christmas. As he gets a little older, we will explain more and why people ask that. But, honestly, people are not meaning to be rude, I don't think. We will tell him as he grows that he is not to ruin it for other children, but right now we say things like, "Hey! Did you see that man dressed up like Santa? How fun!" But even that, we are careful not to yell, cause it's not our place to ruin it for other kids.

[TeachinAuntie]

My husband and I haven't really decided how we're handling things.

We do know that:

We will not have gifts under the tree "from Santa". They may just be under there & not say directly "from Mom & dad" but they won't have Santa on them.

We won't pay an arm & a leg or wait hours to "visit" Santa. So far we have done the freebie pictures at Wal-Mart.

Christ will be the most important part of the season for us.

Good Luck!!

[Terra]

I've just said "well mommy and daddy are bringing their presents." I especially do speak up on the "you better be good or Santa won't X,Y,Z." Typically I do let people know then that we learn about the real St. Nick and that we don't base our gift giving on how people act but we give out of the love of our hearts.

[beaute_marquee]

We say, "We don't have Santa at our house." As my kids get older, I will teach them that it's not nice to broadcast everything we know to other people, especially about Santa. They'll know that some people believe that Santa brings them presents, and it's okay to let them believe that.

[LadyofReason]

I just tell them, "We don't do that".

[Phin'sMom]

I love my response! (lol bragging on myself)

"who needs santa? grandma and gramdpa's have us covered"

It makes everyone smile and is non offensive!!

[ajane]

Originally Posted by Phin'sMom I love my response! (lol bragging on myself) "who needs santa? grandma and gramdpa's have us covered" It makes everyone smile and is non offensive!!

DD3 has a shirt that says "Look out Santa, Here Comes Grandma!"

[ajane]

We don't teach our kids that Santa is real. Mine have always believed in Santa and we let them. It is a wonderfully magic time of year for them when they talk amongst themselves and with us about the "wonder" of Santa. What he is doing, how he always finds exactly what they want for Christmas, how he delivers all the presents, etc. We love seeing their little minds work and think things through. It hasn't happened yet, but when DD1 asks if Santa is real, I will ask he what she thinks and let her tell me how she is thinking/feeling/believing. I will never tell my kids what to think/believe or what NOT to think/believe. They have their own minds/ideas and they are entitled to them.

To me, the idea of Santa is real.......this person who lives in the North Pole may not be, but that is fine. Although, if the Polar Express came through my subdivision, I'd jump on in a heartbeat!

Santa is NOT the first or only reason we celebrate Christmas and the kids (who are old enough) know that. Celebrating Jesus' birth is the reason and that it is a time for giving, and helping out those who are less fortunate than us.

Our kids know that the Santa in the malls, etc. are people dressed up playing Santa. Right now, my oldest told me that those Santa's give the lists to elves who take them to Santa. Fine, whatever she wants to think/believe right now, lol.

We label almost all of the gifts from Santa, they will understand one day that it is DH and me who are playing Santa and giving them the gifts, so when that day comes for our last lo, then we will label the gifts from us. They are too young to understand how dh works for his money that buys their gifts and that isn't something they need to know/care about anyhow. I'm fine with Santa taking the credit of the gifts......I'm not selfish and need to brag that I was the one who bought/paid for them.

Oh, and while they think of the 'naughty/nice" thing as comical, we don't say anything about that. They know it is more for fun and if they aren't behaving they don't have to worry about Santa not bringing them something. They do, however, have to worry about losing a priviledge.

[momtojande]

My 3 y/o is so confused right now! We tell the kids the truth -- the historical St. Nick was real, but Santa Claus is just a fun story, etc. But she's heard so much about Santa from other people, she wants to believe that, too.

Yesterday I was telling her I needed to start wrapping some of the presents I've bought, and she asked "And you give them to Santa and he gives them to us?"

Oh well, she'll figure it out!

[Terra]

Originally Posted by ajane We don't teach our kids that Santa is real. Mine have always believed in Santa and we let them. It is a wonderfully magic time of year for them when they talk amongst themselves and with us about the "wonder" of Santa. What he is doing, how he always finds exactly what they want for Christmas, how he delivers all the presents, etc. We love seeing their little minds work and think things through. It hasn't happened yet, but when DD1 asks if Santa is real, I will ask he what she thinks and let her tell me how she is thinking/feeling/believing. I will never tell my kids what to think/believe or what NOT to think/believe. They have their own minds/ideas and they are entitled to them. To me, the idea of Santa is real.......this person who lives in the North Pole may not be, but that is fine. Although, if the Polar Express came through my subdivision, I'd jump on in a heartbeat! Santa is NOT the first or only reason we celebrate Christmas and the kids (who are old enough) know that. Celebrating Jesus' birth is the reason and that it is a time for giving, and helping out those who are less fortunate than us. Our kids know that the Santa in the malls, etc. are people dressed up playing Santa. Right now, my oldest told me that those Santa's give the lists to elves who take them to Santa. Fine, whatever she wants to think/believe right now, lol. We label almost all of the gifts from Santa, they will understand one day that it is DH and me who are playing Santa and giving them the gifts, so when that day comes for our last lo, then we will label the gifts from us. They are too young to understand how dh works for his money that buys their gifts and that isn't something they need to know/care about anyhow. I'm fine with Santa taking the credit of the gifts......I'm not selfish and need to brag that I was the one who bought/paid for them. Oh, and while they think of the 'naughty/nice" thing as comical, we don't say anything about that. They know it is more for fun and if they aren't behaving they don't have to worry about Santa not bringing them something. They do, however, have to worry about losing a priviledge.

I was actually thinking of you today girl [about two separate things]. I'll PM you the one later!
Anyway, We really don't go over board either way. Just saying things in our home like "mommy and daddy can't wait to give you your gifts." We've never told them that Santa comes, etc, etc. Well today my 4 year old said "mommy, Santa will bring our gifts." So I just simply asked, "who brings you're gifts? mommy and daddy or Santa?" He said "Santa"

So I like that he has chosen on his own and I don't have an issue so much anymore if that is what he wants to believe. I mean we don't endorse it as far as "Oh when you go to bed Santa is coming." We don't say anything if that makes sense [it probably doesn't! ] But I just like that he's made up his own mind knowing the choice. It kind of reminded me of you!