Internet Is In Love With This Mom’s Genius Idea How To Tell Kids That Santa Doesn’t Exist
Christmas is a magical time, especially for children, but there comes a moment in every kid’s life when the doubt begins to creep in. Where do presents really come from? Who really is that jolly white-bearded guy? And how does he get down the chimney when you live in an apartment block? Telling your kids the truth about Santa is almost like killing Christmas for them, but one family have found a heart-warming way to reveal the truth about Mr Claus without being a Grinch about it.
“In our family, we have a special way of transitioning the kids from receiving from Santa, to becoming a Santa,” wrote Leslie Rush, a high school history teacher from El Paso, Texas. “This way, the Santa construct is not a lie that gets discovered, but an unfolding series of good deeds and Christmas spirit. When they are 6 or 7, whenever you see that dawning suspicion that Santa may not be a material being, that means the child is ready.” Leslie wrote the story over ten years ago but it’s still as relevant today as it ever was. Scroll down to see for yourself.
The Rush family have a tradition of telling their kids the truth about Santa without being a Grinch about it
“In our family, we have a special way of transitioning the kids from receiving from Santa, to becoming a Santa”
Their story touched hearts across the internet
But some people thought it was too soon to reveal the truth
What do you think?
cute. i figured out there wasnt a santa in the first grade. never understood the need for all the lies.
I recently told my parents that I never believed in santa but played along because they seemed to enjoy it. It wasn't a huge deal. My brother and I both knew it was our parents and that was cool. It was fun, and then we grew up. No need for subterfuge or ceremony.
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Wait... wait a minute... are you implying... there is no Santa?... Rudolph?...
No, my friend, you are Santa. And your dog is Rudolph.
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This is the BEST SANTA story ever! I hope this goes viral and becomes the REAL Santa tradition for everyone everywhere. I love it!
Instead of this, I will raise my children to be helpful all the time and towards everyone, whether they believe themselves to be Santas or not.
that is absolutely great! and i wish you all the luck in the world with being able to raise your children to be so kind! but this is just a great way to keep the "myth" of santa alive and in the hearts of kids while ALSO spreading the love and kindness this world so poorly needs.
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If these people who said that was too young of an age had actually read the article they would see that it said when the parents started to see them starting to question. When we were kids and getting that way my mom told us that Santa was so busy that he asked my parents to get all the presents and wrap them and then he would stop by and put them under the tree. My best friends sister has all but one present be from Mommy and Daddy. That way they can wrap when they need to and not have to hide a bunch of stuff. Then the one gift that is form Santa is wrapped in Santa paper and put under the tree after the kids go to bed.
This is a great idea, and your kids really stepped up to their roles! I did something similar with my kids, but way less formal. When they asked how Santa could be in so many places, I said that they were Santa's Helpers. It fit in better with what they were learning about Saint Nicholas, without lessening any of the magic, and introduced the notion that they could be Helpers too.
My mom tried to tell me Santa wasn't real, and I argued with her about it. Believing in Santa was like believing my dolls were alive. I wanted to believe, I knew in my heart it was a fairytale story to live inside, and when I didn't need it anymore, I didn't.
I'm over 70 and childless but I still believe in Santa Claus. For children, he needs to be a physical person. But growing into adolescence and adulthood, one realizes, as this mom did, that the spirit of Santa Claus lives on in people like her children and anyone who experiences the joy of giving. When a stranger asks directions, take them there. When there's an old car behind you in the fast food drive through, pay their tab and leave change for them. We'll all be better Santas for it.
The 2007 Finnish movie Christmas Story told a nice story how Santa Claus become a Santa Claus and at the end of the movie it is explained why he can't give presents to everyone so other people have to do it instead of him. I was an adult when I saw that movie but I think would be a nice movie to show to a child who wants to know the 'truth' about Santa. :) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0772176/
I wish my parents had done this. Instead, I got a letter from "Santa" saying this: I like cookies and all, but next time, bring me a cold beer and a hot dog. While this still makes me laugh years later, it crushed my seven-year-old soul finding out that Santa was most definitely my dad.
That was just mean. Don't be mean to little kids.
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It reminded me a Finnish movie "Joulutarina" about becoming Santa. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0772176/
I did something similar but it wasn't so structured, because I'm just not that structured of a person. I didn't do it at an arbitrary age or have any sort of ritual but the concept was the same.
Only people with money to spare can afford to keep the Santa story alive, otherwise you’re setting the kids up for disappointment and the belief that they are somehow not worthy of the fancier gifts they see their friends getting. We grew up working poor, and my mom knew we couldn’t afford every little thing our hearts desired. She told us early on that Santa was just a lovely story, and cautioned us not to tell our friends that did believe that he wasn’t real, because that would just be mean. When something I did want appeared under the tree, I appreciated it all the more because I knew the sacrifice it represented. We still sang carols and hung stockings and watched Christmas specials (Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer was my favorite). We also put baby teeth under our pillows and hunted Easter eggs, knowing all along how the money and eggs were delivered, and that knowledge didn’t diminish our appreciation of getting gifts and goodies, because we knew the effort that went into it.
Kids understand "playing pretend".... so here's an idea... stop lying, and tell the truth ie Santa is "pretend". They'll get it, and still totally embrace all the good stuff that comes with "Santa". Trying to force the lie, simply breeds distrust. I never believed in it, and always wondered why the heck the adults kept insisting on the lie. Made me question *everything* else they tried to tell me was the "truth". :/
Folks, I HIGHLY recommend _The Autobiography of Santa Claus_, by Jeff Guinn. VERY thoroughly researched, and an amusing explanation of how the life of an actual historical figure combined with folk traditions and _commercialism_ to become what we know today as Santa.
First Christmas at a new church, I was 5.5. At Sunday School and after, kids discussed what Santa brought them. At home I asked my mom why some kids got ONE gift (the only Christmas gift) from Santa, while others got a literal pile of clothes, toys etc. I wasn't dumb. I observed out loud that the poor kids got 1 gift, the kids from rich parents got many. I pointed out that if Santa was a good Christian, and loved his neighbor as himself, he would treat all kids equally. Rather than continue to lie to me, my father (the minister of our church) and mother explained the history of St. Nicholas, how the non-religious folk legend of Santa evolved.
I figured out Santa by busting the tooth fairy I decided if the tooth fairy was real she could find a tooth that was hidden by magic so I hid my tooth told no one where it was flash forward three days later and my mom sat me down and was like "look I have tried so hard to find the tooth I'm sorry the tooth fairy isn't real you still get a dollar where is it?" Santa and Easter bunny followed suit
I really like this idea and will share this with my children to inspire them on how to handle their children no longer believing in Santa. My kids are obviously still adults but all the presents under the tree are still addressed from Santa, even though they no he is not real. I do this because it does not matter who the gift came from, my kids sometimes cannot afford to get anyone gifts and I never want them to feel bad about that. As an adult I know Santa is not real but i still believe in the magic of Christmas, and he is apart of that magic. It is not what you get or who you got it from that matters but that we are together to celebrate as a family, that is what I want them to remember.
That’s great, and sounds so fun for kids. I don’t think any of the descriptions of “witch lady,” make her seem horrible though. Having a private yard and wanting reasonable noise levels doesn’t make you a witch, it makes your neighbors inconsiderate.
Why would anyone tell a child of 6 or 7 that Santa does not exist? Christmas time is magical for children, and the longer they can remain children, that's all the better. Life is hard. Let their childhood's be special and something to treasure for a lifetime. They don't need the cynicism from adults, parents or otherwise, to be forced upon them unnecessarily. And while we're at it, who take their 6 or 7 year old out for coffee? This parent needs a little parenting advice from a good parent! I hope she finds one.
Or you don't tell lies like there is a santa in the first place . Fill your child with fairytales and how life is easy to become later dissapointed just great.
Why are people so mad when it comes to not telling little children lies. You should tell your children the truth or never come up with lies about stories like santa.
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My children 12,11,8 and 6 all still believe I can't bare to tell them. I will keep santa alive. I love this idea tho good job
Well, good thing is, "christmas" is not a christian holiday originally (despite the name in english language). Santa is actually an anthropomorphic mushroom (a toad stool). Get over it.
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cute. i figured out there wasnt a santa in the first grade. never understood the need for all the lies.
I recently told my parents that I never believed in santa but played along because they seemed to enjoy it. It wasn't a huge deal. My brother and I both knew it was our parents and that was cool. It was fun, and then we grew up. No need for subterfuge or ceremony.
Load More Replies... Wait... wait a minute... are you implying... there is no Santa?... Rudolph?...
No, my friend, you are Santa. And your dog is Rudolph.
Load More Replies... This is the BEST SANTA story ever! I hope this goes viral and becomes the REAL Santa tradition for everyone everywhere. I love it!
Instead of this, I will raise my children to be helpful all the time and towards everyone, whether they believe themselves to be Santas or not.
that is absolutely great! and i wish you all the luck in the world with being able to raise your children to be so kind! but this is just a great way to keep the "myth" of santa alive and in the hearts of kids while ALSO spreading the love and kindness this world so poorly needs.
Load More Replies... If these people who said that was too young of an age had actually read the article they would see that it said when the parents started to see them starting to question. When we were kids and getting that way my mom told us that Santa was so busy that he asked my parents to get all the presents and wrap them and then he would stop by and put them under the tree. My best friends sister has all but one present be from Mommy and Daddy. That way they can wrap when they need to and not have to hide a bunch of stuff. Then the one gift that is form Santa is wrapped in Santa paper and put under the tree after the kids go to bed.
This is a great idea, and your kids really stepped up to their roles! I did something similar with my kids, but way less formal. When they asked how Santa could be in so many places, I said that they were Santa's Helpers. It fit in better with what they were learning about Saint Nicholas, without lessening any of the magic, and introduced the notion that they could be Helpers too.
My mom tried to tell me Santa wasn't real, and I argued with her about it. Believing in Santa was like believing my dolls were alive. I wanted to believe, I knew in my heart it was a fairytale story to live inside, and when I didn't need it anymore, I didn't.
I'm over 70 and childless but I still believe in Santa Claus. For children, he needs to be a physical person. But growing into adolescence and adulthood, one realizes, as this mom did, that the spirit of Santa Claus lives on in people like her children and anyone who experiences the joy of giving. When a stranger asks directions, take them there. When there's an old car behind you in the fast food drive through, pay their tab and leave change for them. We'll all be better Santas for it.
The 2007 Finnish movie Christmas Story told a nice story how Santa Claus become a Santa Claus and at the end of the movie it is explained why he can't give presents to everyone so other people have to do it instead of him. I was an adult when I saw that movie but I think would be a nice movie to show to a child who wants to know the 'truth' about Santa. :) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0772176/
I wish my parents had done this. Instead, I got a letter from "Santa" saying this: I like cookies and all, but next time, bring me a cold beer and a hot dog. While this still makes me laugh years later, it crushed my seven-year-old soul finding out that Santa was most definitely my dad.
That was just mean. Don't be mean to little kids.
Load More Replies... It reminded me a Finnish movie "Joulutarina" about becoming Santa. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0772176/
I did something similar but it wasn't so structured, because I'm just not that structured of a person. I didn't do it at an arbitrary age or have any sort of ritual but the concept was the same.
Only people with money to spare can afford to keep the Santa story alive, otherwise you’re setting the kids up for disappointment and the belief that they are somehow not worthy of the fancier gifts they see their friends getting. We grew up working poor, and my mom knew we couldn’t afford every little thing our hearts desired. She told us early on that Santa was just a lovely story, and cautioned us not to tell our friends that did believe that he wasn’t real, because that would just be mean. When something I did want appeared under the tree, I appreciated it all the more because I knew the sacrifice it represented. We still sang carols and hung stockings and watched Christmas specials (Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer was my favorite). We also put baby teeth under our pillows and hunted Easter eggs, knowing all along how the money and eggs were delivered, and that knowledge didn’t diminish our appreciation of getting gifts and goodies, because we knew the effort that went into it.
Kids understand "playing pretend".... so here's an idea... stop lying, and tell the truth ie Santa is "pretend". They'll get it, and still totally embrace all the good stuff that comes with "Santa". Trying to force the lie, simply breeds distrust. I never believed in it, and always wondered why the heck the adults kept insisting on the lie. Made me question *everything* else they tried to tell me was the "truth". :/
Folks, I HIGHLY recommend _The Autobiography of Santa Claus_, by Jeff Guinn. VERY thoroughly researched, and an amusing explanation of how the life of an actual historical figure combined with folk traditions and _commercialism_ to become what we know today as Santa.
First Christmas at a new church, I was 5.5. At Sunday School and after, kids discussed what Santa brought them. At home I asked my mom why some kids got ONE gift (the only Christmas gift) from Santa, while others got a literal pile of clothes, toys etc. I wasn't dumb. I observed out loud that the poor kids got 1 gift, the kids from rich parents got many. I pointed out that if Santa was a good Christian, and loved his neighbor as himself, he would treat all kids equally. Rather than continue to lie to me, my father (the minister of our church) and mother explained the history of St. Nicholas, how the non-religious folk legend of Santa evolved.
I figured out Santa by busting the tooth fairy I decided if the tooth fairy was real she could find a tooth that was hidden by magic so I hid my tooth told no one where it was flash forward three days later and my mom sat me down and was like "look I have tried so hard to find the tooth I'm sorry the tooth fairy isn't real you still get a dollar where is it?" Santa and Easter bunny followed suit
I really like this idea and will share this with my children to inspire them on how to handle their children no longer believing in Santa. My kids are obviously still adults but all the presents under the tree are still addressed from Santa, even though they no he is not real. I do this because it does not matter who the gift came from, my kids sometimes cannot afford to get anyone gifts and I never want them to feel bad about that. As an adult I know Santa is not real but i still believe in the magic of Christmas, and he is apart of that magic. It is not what you get or who you got it from that matters but that we are together to celebrate as a family, that is what I want them to remember.
That’s great, and sounds so fun for kids. I don’t think any of the descriptions of “witch lady,” make her seem horrible though. Having a private yard and wanting reasonable noise levels doesn’t make you a witch, it makes your neighbors inconsiderate.
Why would anyone tell a child of 6 or 7 that Santa does not exist? Christmas time is magical for children, and the longer they can remain children, that's all the better. Life is hard. Let their childhood's be special and something to treasure for a lifetime. They don't need the cynicism from adults, parents or otherwise, to be forced upon them unnecessarily. And while we're at it, who take their 6 or 7 year old out for coffee? This parent needs a little parenting advice from a good parent! I hope she finds one.
Or you don't tell lies like there is a santa in the first place . Fill your child with fairytales and how life is easy to become later dissapointed just great.
Why are people so mad when it comes to not telling little children lies. You should tell your children the truth or never come up with lies about stories like santa.
Load More Replies... My children 12,11,8 and 6 all still believe I can't bare to tell them. I will keep santa alive. I love this idea tho good job
Well, good thing is, "christmas" is not a christian holiday originally (despite the name in english language). Santa is actually an anthropomorphic mushroom (a toad stool). Get over it.
Load More Replies...
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