Santa dilemma

by **InTenSity** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:30

Since we have thousands of outstanding citizens and A++++ parents that post here, I thought I would pose this question. My 5 year old caught me off guard last week on the way to the store. Out of nowhere she asks me, 'Daddy, is Santa real?' I'm like WTF, why are you asking this when you are 5?!? What is the reason for asking this. I kind of dodged the question. I asked her why she was asking. Her answer is that she's never seen Santa, so she can't be sure he's real. I replied back with, do you want McDonalds or Publix chicken for dinner? I'm not hugely religious, but Xmas isnt' really that much of a religious holiday anyway, at the same time, I would like her to have a childhood. There is no reason to grow up fast. For now my wife and I have changed the subject but she's a smart girl and this isn't going to last too long. Should we tell her the truth, or lie to her and tell her he's real. I kinda told her if she believes he's real, then he's real.

by **NigelUno** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:32

He's making a list!

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:32

InTenSity wrote:Since we have thousands of outstanding citizens and A++++ parents that post here, I thought I would pose this question. My 5 year old caught me off guard last week on the way to the store. Out of nowhere she asks me, 'Daddy, is Santa real?' I'm like WTF, why are you asking this when you are 5?!? What is the reason for asking this. I kind of dodged the question. I asked her why she was asking. Her answer is that she's never seen Santa, so she can't be sure he's real. I replied back with, do you want McDonalds or Publix chicken for dinner? I'm not hugely religious, but Xmas isnt' really that much of a religious holiday anyway, at the same time, I would like her to have a childhood. There is no reason to grow up fast. For now my wife and I have changed the subject but she's a smart girl and this isn't going to last too long. Should we tell her the truth, or lie to her and tell her he's real. I kinda told her if she believes he's real, then he's real.

I would advise you against lying to your children.

by TheReal_LWS Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:35

InTenSity wrote:Since we have thousands of outstanding citizens and A++++ parents that post here, I thought I would pose this question. My 5 year old caught me off guard last week on the way to the store. Out of nowhere she asks me, 'Daddy, is Santa real?' I'm like WTF, why are you asking this when you are 5?!? What is the reason for asking this. I kind of dodged the question. I asked her why she was asking. Her answer is that she's never seen Santa, so she can't be sure he's real. I replied back with, do you want McDonalds or Publix chicken for dinner? I'm not hugely religious, but Xmas isnt' really that much of a religious holiday anyway, at the same time, I would like her to have a childhood. There is no reason to grow up fast. For now my wife and I have changed the subject but she's a smart girl and this isn't going to last too long. Should we tell her the truth, or lie to her and tell her he's real. I kinda told her if she believes he's real, then he's real.

Not sure why you'd hesitate to say "Yes!" He was a real dude. She isn't asking if he is still alive or not.

by **Watch Out Pylon!** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:48

InTenSity wrote:Since we have thousands of outstanding citizens and A++++ parents that post here, I thought I would pose this question. My 5 year old caught me off guard last week on the way to the store. Out of nowhere she asks me, 'Daddy, is Santa real?' I'm like WTF, why are you asking this when you are 5?!? What is the reason for asking this. I kind of dodged the question. I asked her why she was asking. Her answer is that she's never seen Santa, so she can't be sure he's real. I replied back with, do you want McDonalds or Publix chicken for dinner? I'm not hugely religious, but Xmas isnt' really that much of a religious holiday anyway, at the same time, I would like her to have a childhood. There is no reason to grow up fast. For now my wife and I have changed the subject but she's a smart girl and this isn't going to last too long. Should we tell her the truth, or lie to her and tell her he's real. I kinda told her if she believes he's real, then he's real.

If you tell her he's not real, she's going to tell her friends who will then tell their parents and you will probably be labeled as the "no fun" parents. Just throwing that out there.

by **DWags** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:49

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

by **Other Teams Pursuing That** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 10:57

Fuck Xmas

by **InTenSity** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:01

Seems like a mixed bag so far. I'm going to have to talk to my wife about this, neither of us expected this question now. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to take away that Christmas magic that little kids have.

by **goodbar** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:03

wait, wut? santa's not real?

by **Heat Miser** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:06

Take her to Santa's Enchanted Forest & she can see for herself.

Also, how do we feel about Elf on a Shelf? A doll that mysteriously follows & watches you 24/7/365 seems rather creepy to me. Even more so than a fat old man who gives kids presents to lure them into sitting on his lap. Santa dilemma 2599972566

by **Watch Out Pylon!** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:07

Heat Miser wrote:Take her to Santa's Enchanted Forest & she can see for herself.

Is Santa a carney in the offseason?

by **WhiteBoyHatcher** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:07

Dude she's five, tell her he's real and don't think twice about it. Are you kidding me? It's a white lie at worst.

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:08

InTenSity wrote:Seems like a mixed bag so far. I'm going to have to talk to my wife about this, neither of us expected this question now. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to take away that Christmas magic that little kids have.

I don't really see where the "magic" exists in lying to children..

but, obviously, you do what's best for you guys - you're a great American and you know your family much better than some idiot like me.

Santa dilemma 969504605

by **Watch Out Pylon!** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:10

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
InTenSity wrote:Seems like a mixed bag so far. I'm going to have to talk to my wife about this, neither of us expected this question now. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to take away that Christmas magic that little kids have.
I don't really see where the "magic" exists in lying to children..

but, obviously, you do what's best for you guys - you're a great American and you know your family much better than some idiot like me.

Bob, you are not invited to our family Christmas when Pylon Jr. is able to remember stuff. Sorry.

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:11

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote: I don't really see where the "magic" exists in lying to children..

but, obviously, you do what's best for you guys - you're a great American and you know your family much better than some idiot like me.

Bob, you are not invited to our family Christmas when Pylon Jr. is able to remember stuff. Sorry.

by **InTenSity** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:13

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:
Heat Miser wrote:Take her to Santa's Enchanted Forest & she can see for herself.

Is Santa a carney in the offseason?

Yes. I used to drive past that place every day. I think they open this week.

by **Heat Miser** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:16

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:
Heat Miser wrote:Take her to Santa's Enchanted Forest & she can see for herself.

Is Santa a carney in the offseason?

Times are tough. Gotta make ends meet. The North Pole self-insures & the elves have had a unusually large number of claims this year. 3 of them actually fell through the ice and drowned due to global warming. They normally live to be like 900 years old so death benefits weren't in any of the already scarce elf actuarial tables.

Plus, the little bastards are trying to unionize!

by **Travis of the Cosmos** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:20

Intensity it’s good that she’s willing to question things that are accepted as fact by her peers don’t discourage that by continuing to lie now that she pieced it together correctly.

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 11:25

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:Intensity it’s good that she’s willing to question things that are accepted as fact by her peers don’t discourage that by continuing to lie now that she pieced it together correctly.

this is true.

my suspicion is that she's figured it out or some other kid has told her the truth. She's probably looking toward a parent to confirm what she already knows. It's an indication of development in judgment and she is looking toward a parent to validate her judgment.

however, do whatever you want.

by Guest Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:06

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:Fuck Xmas

Smart thinking.

by **MiamiSpartan** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:21

InTenSity wrote:Seems like a mixed bag so far. I'm going to have to talk to my wife about this, neither of us expected this question now. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to take away that Christmas magic that little kids have.

Haven't you been lying to her for the last 5 years about this anyway?

I agree that other kids might have said something about it. Probably a kid with an asshole older brother that ruined it for their younger sibling. When my daughter was faced with that, we would tell her, "yeah, that kid's parents probably do buy the stuff for them, because Santa sure isn't going to bring presents for such a bad kid."

I'm also a fan of rationalizing with them, without lying. For example, "If not Santa, how did you get this big haul? Do you think we'd buy all this? HA HA HA!" (btw, it's key to laugh like "Ha ha ha", and not let "Ho ho ho" slip out.)

by **InTenSity** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:27

MiamiSpartan wrote:
InTenSity wrote:Seems like a mixed bag so far. I'm going to have to talk to my wife about this, neither of us expected this question now. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to take away that Christmas magic that little kids have.
Haven't you been lying to her for the last 5 years about this anyway?

I agree that other kids might have said something about it. Probably a kid with an asshole older brother that ruined it for their younger sibling. When my daughter was faced with that, we would tell her, "yeah, that kid's parents probably do buy the stuff for them, because Santa sure isn't going to bring presents for such a bad kid."

I'm also a fan of rationalizing with them, without lying. For example, "If not Santa, how did you get this big haul? Do you think we'd buy all this? HA HA HA!" (btw, it's key to laugh like "Ha ha ha", and not let "Ho ho ho" slip out.)

I wouldn't say we've been lying. She never questioned Santa before, so we never brought it up.

Heat - we have the elf on the shelf. I agree with you and have some issues with it. Unfortunately our kids are going to grow up being watched and tracked 24/7. I don't even decorate our house.

by **MiamiSpartan** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:28

So, fellow parents, when/how did your kids figure out the truth?

My daughter is 11. She was on board with Santa last year, but I feel like this year she might be in the mode of, "If I say I don't believe, then they won't buy me as much stuff, so I'm going to go along with it."

by **Travis of the Cosmos** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:31

I don’t know about y’all but it wasn’t asshole kids when I figured it out at 6. All it took was a December trip to the toy store with my parents. I remember thinking to myself “why are there so many parents here.... ohhhhh.” My parents confirmed and told me not to tell my sister yet.

Your kid sounds clever enough to just look around themselves and piece together that it’s fairly obvious that it’s not a fat man breaking into their house to give them stuff. Now that she’s figured it out I don’t think it benefits anyone to lie. At least that’s my opinion but hey whatever works.

by **Floyd Robertson** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:37

It's been a half century and my sister still hasn't forgiven me for breaking the news, so my advice is keep up the charade as long as possible.

by Guest Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:43

Floyd Robertson wrote:It's been a half century and my sister still hasn't forgiven me for breaking the news, so my advice is keep up the charade as long as possible.

Floyd is a wise man. Plus they get old quick enough without accelerating the process.....

by TheReal_LWS Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:51

MiamiSpartan wrote:So, fellow parents, when/how did your kids figure out the truth?

My daughter is 11. She was on board with Santa last year, but I feel like this year she might be in the mode of, "If I say I don't believe, then they won't buy me as much stuff, so I'm going to go along with it."

Same with my daughter.

by **MiamiSpartan** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:51

InTenSity wrote:
MiamiSpartan wrote:
Haven't you been lying to her for the last 5 years about this anyway?

I agree that other kids might have said something about it. Probably a kid with an asshole older brother that ruined it for their younger sibling. When my daughter was faced with that, we would tell her, "yeah, that kid's parents probably do buy the stuff for them, because Santa sure isn't going to bring presents for such a bad kid."

I'm also a fan of rationalizing with them, without lying. For example, "If not Santa, how did you get this big haul? Do you think we'd buy all this? HA HA HA!" (btw, it's key to laugh like "Ha ha ha", and not let "Ho ho ho" slip out.)
I wouldn't say we've been lying. She never questioned Santa before, so we never brought it up.

Heat - we have the elf on the shelf. I agree with you and have some issues with it. Unfortunately our kids are going to grow up being watched and tracked 24/7. I don't even decorate our house.

How did she think Santa existed in the first place? Who did she think the presents were from? What did she think the Elf on the Shelf was?

by TheReal_LWS Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:54

Glad we missed the Elf on a Shelf thing. That sounds absolutely ridiculous.

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 12:54

MiamiSpartan wrote:So, fellow parents, when/how did your kids figure out the truth?

My daughter is 11. She was on board with Santa last year, but I feel like this year she might be in the mode of, "If I say I don't believe, then they won't buy me as much stuff, so I'm going to go along with it."

we always called him Winter Solstice Claus.. from day one, really - we still talk about what Winter Solstice Claus is bringing. Santa dilemma 502811600

it's more my wife's idea.. I don't really care for any of it.

by **WhiteBoyHatcher** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:00

My son still believes at 8. How do I know? He want a "pirate ship in a tree" this year and scoffed at me when I told him that was gonna be hard to pull off. "Santa can do anything with his magic."

Half wishing one of the other brats will spoil it for him.

by **MiamiSpartan** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:15

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
MiamiSpartan wrote:So, fellow parents, when/how did your kids figure out the truth?

My daughter is 11. She was on board with Santa last year, but I feel like this year she might be in the mode of, "If I say I don't believe, then they won't buy me as much stuff, so I'm going to go along with it."
we always called him Winter Solstice Claus.. from day one, really - we still talk about what Winter Solstice Claus is bringing.

it's more my wife's idea.. I don't really care for any of it.

So he brings stuff on the 21st?

(Edited to note the 21st as the solstice, not the 22nd).

by TheReal_LWS Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:16

MiamiSpartan wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:we always called him Winter Solstice Claus.. from day one, really - we still talk about what Winter Solstice Claus is bringing.

it's more my wife's idea.. I don't really care for any of it.
So he brings stuff on the 22nd?

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:21

MiamiSpartan wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:
we always called him Winter Solstice Claus.. from day one, really - we still talk about what Winter Solstice Claus is bringing.

it's more my wife's idea.. I don't really care for any of it.
So he brings stuff on the 21st?

(Edited to note the 21st as the solstice, not the 22nd).

we celebrate the season - not some random date.

by **MiamiSpartan** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:23

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
MiamiSpartan wrote:
So he brings stuff on the 21st?

(Edited to note the 21st as the solstice, not the 22nd).
we celebrate the season - not some random date.

So which day does he bring stuff?

by Guest Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:25

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
MiamiSpartan wrote:
So he brings stuff on the 21st?

(Edited to note the 21st as the solstice, not the 22nd).
we celebrate the season - not some random date.

Why celebrate the season? Still keeping one foot in just in case?

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:26

MiamiSpartan wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:we celebrate the season - not some random date.

So which day does he bring stuff?

funny story.

we get a Winter Solstice tree - usually. There have been seasons we don't get a tree depending on plans. Our decorations are always mini-liquor bottles. We'll buy Jack Daniels, Jameson, etc - my wife digs Crown Royal - and tie them to the tree with red ribbon.

So, during the season, we each take a bottle every night off the tree to drink..

we don't really do presents (or "stuff") in the traditional sense. We're fortunate enough to pretty much get whatever we want/need throughout the year - and we usually go on trips during break, anyway.

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:26

LooseGoose wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:we celebrate the season - not some random date.

Why celebrate the season? Still keeping one foot in just in case?

as I mentioned, I don't really care about any of it - but my wife digs the Winter Solstice for some reason.

by **MiamiSpartan** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:37

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
MiamiSpartan wrote:
So which day does he bring stuff?
funny story.

we get a Winter Solstice tree - usually. There have been seasons we don't get a tree depending on plans. Our decorations are always mini-liquor bottles. We'll buy Jack Daniels, Jameson, etc - my wife digs Crown Royal - and tie them to the tree with red ribbon.

So, during the season, we each take a bottle every night off the tree to drink..

we don't really do presents (or "stuff") in the traditional sense. We're fortunate enough to pretty much get whatever we want/need throughout the year - and we usually go on trips during break, anyway.

Isn't your daughter a little young to be drinking? Or what does the Winter Solstice fairy bring her?

What kind of a tree do you get for a Winter Solstice Tree?

by **Robert J Sakimano** Tue 21 Nov 2017 - 13:46

MiamiSpartan wrote:
Robert J Sakimano wrote:funny story.

we get a Winter Solstice tree - usually. There have been seasons we don't get a tree depending on plans. Our decorations are always mini-liquor bottles. We'll buy Jack Daniels, Jameson, etc - my wife digs Crown Royal - and tie them to the tree with red ribbon.

So, during the season, we each take a bottle every night off the tree to drink..

we don't really do presents (or "stuff") in the traditional sense. We're fortunate enough to pretty much get whatever we want/need throughout the year - and we usually go on trips during break, anyway.
Isn't your daughter a little young to be drinking? Or what does the Winter Solstice fairy bring her?

What kind of a tree do you get for a Winter Solstice Tree?

I'm gonna exercise my right not to answer the first question. Wink

my wife and I differ on the Winter Solstice tree - I like a good blue spruce. I dig the blue-ish hue.. and the branches are nice and strong, so it'll hold the liquor bottles.

I like my trees to be able to hold their liquor.

my wife kinda digs the ones with the big long needles.. I forget what they're called - maybe a white pine??

Lemme google it.

okay, I'm back.

Yeah - she digs the white pines.. longer needles, with the more flowing branches.

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