Comments on: What Exactly Is So Bad About Magic and Make Believe? http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/ Life in my Crazy House of Boys Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:53:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Kimberly http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12406 Kimberly Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:52:27 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12406 Just had to post this since we're discussing Santa! A friend pointed it out this evening and I made one for my daughter...it's a really neat personalized video from Santa to your child. You put in their name, age, etc... and even what thing they done really good at this year and what they would like and it gets incorporated into the video. <a href="http://portablenorthpole.tv/home" rel="nofollow">http://portablenorthpole.tv/home</a> Just had to post this since we’re discussing Santa! A friend pointed it out this evening and I made one for my daughter…it’s a really neat personalized video from Santa to your child. You put in their name, age, etc… and even what thing they done really good at this year and what they would like and it gets incorporated into the video. http://portablenorthpole.tv/home

]]> By: Tiffany http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12379 Tiffany Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:52:11 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12379 I still believe. It's a magical wonderful thing to believe in when you are a child. My parents always told us, even when we were in jr. high and high school that if we didn't believe, he wouldn't come. Sure enough, my older brother said he didn't believe one year and got a lump of coal. Seems funny, but I love that my parents instilled this magic and hope in us. I will continue to instill it in my kids. I still believe. It’s a magical wonderful thing to believe in when you are a child.
My parents always told us, even when we were in jr. high and high school that if we didn’t believe, he wouldn’t come. Sure enough, my older brother said he didn’t believe one year and got a lump of coal. Seems funny, but I love that my parents instilled this magic and hope in us. I will continue to instill it in my kids.

]]> By: Julie Bianchi http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12359 Julie Bianchi Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:55:36 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12359 I grew up believing in Santa - even after I knew there wasn't really a Santa! But my ex-husband and I got in a HUGE fight when we were still married over this. Our son was only 4 or 5 years old at the time and he told him that there was no Santa - that mommy was Santa! I wanted to throttle him! My poor son was just devastated! He continued to "act" like he believed for the next 3 years or so, but it kind of took the fun out of it for me. Now my 4 year old daughter still believes and I told my ex if he tells her otherwise, I'll knock his teeth out! jk There is so much bad stuff going on in the world today and a lot of this our children are made aware of (i.e. kidnappings, war, etc) because they see it on the news or the parents have to teach them at an early age about the "bad people" in the world for their safety. I think they should be able to fantasize about a chubby little guy in a red suit who comes down our chimney once a year to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls. Let them dream and fantasize for as long as humanly possible is what I have to say! I grew up believing in Santa – even after I knew there wasn’t really a Santa! But my ex-husband and I got in a HUGE fight when we were still married over this. Our son was only 4 or 5 years old at the time and he told him that there was no Santa – that mommy was Santa! I wanted to throttle him! My poor son was just devastated! He continued to “act” like he believed for the next 3 years or so, but it kind of took the fun out of it for me. Now my 4 year old daughter still believes and I told my ex if he tells her otherwise, I’ll knock his teeth out! jk There is so much bad stuff going on in the world today and a lot of this our children are made aware of (i.e. kidnappings, war, etc) because they see it on the news or the parents have to teach them at an early age about the “bad people” in the world for their safety. I think they should be able to fantasize about a chubby little guy in a red suit who comes down our chimney once a year to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls. Let them dream and fantasize for as long as humanly possible is what I have to say!

]]> By: renee http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12356 renee Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:56:04 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12356 Wow! I think you hit on a hot issue here, Rhea! Look at all the comments! I used to think (before I had kids) that I would not "lie" to them about Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. Now (that I have a daughter) I love seeing the magic and excitement of the season through her eyes when read the Night Before Christmas or sit in the Easter Bunny's lap for pictures, etc. When the day comes that she questions whether they are real or not, I will not force her to believe one way or another. But I agree with you--now I let her believe and savor the magic while she still can! I think it's important to teach the REAL reason behind each holiday too, but mixing in a little make believe is a-okay :) Wow! I think you hit on a hot issue here, Rhea! Look at all the comments!
I used to think (before I had kids) that I would not “lie” to them about Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. Now (that I have a daughter) I love seeing the magic and excitement of the season through her eyes when read the Night Before Christmas or sit in the Easter Bunny’s lap for pictures, etc. When the day comes that she questions whether they are real or not, I will not force her to believe one way or another. But I agree with you–now I let her believe and savor the magic while she still can! I think it’s important to teach the REAL reason behind each holiday too, but mixing in a little make believe is a-okay :)

]]> By: Brandy http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12315 Brandy Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:39:29 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12315 I grew up in a Santa house. My grandma's house (where we went EVERY Christmas morning) had stockings for EVERYONE from my grandma/grandpa to my new born cousins. I remember up until '08, I would still feel all excited and full of wonder to see what was in the stockings, even though it NEVER changed the big boys got Socks and Pens and the big girls got Perfumes and lotions. The little kids got age appropriate items. My grandma played into it too sayin she couldn't wait to find out what Santa brought here. It always felt like magic in her house on Christmas. That's what I want to do for Owen. I loved it and never remember feeling cheated or lied to about not believing and always kept it a secret because my siblings were 4 & 8 yrs younger then we had even younger cousins and before I knew it I was having my own baby (lol) so I just want Owen to have the magic feeling even when he realizes it's not real. I grew up in a Santa house. My grandma’s house (where we went EVERY Christmas morning) had stockings for EVERYONE from my grandma/grandpa to my new born cousins. I remember up until ’08, I would still feel all excited and full of wonder to see what was in the stockings, even though it NEVER changed the big boys got Socks and Pens and the big girls got Perfumes and lotions. The little kids got age appropriate items. My grandma played into it too sayin she couldn’t wait to find out what Santa brought here. It always felt like magic in her house on Christmas.

That’s what I want to do for Owen. I loved it and never remember feeling cheated or lied to about not believing and always kept it a secret because my siblings were 4 & 8 yrs younger then we had even younger cousins and before I knew it I was having my own baby (lol) so I just want Owen to have the magic feeling even when he realizes it’s not real.

]]> By: Sharon http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12325 Sharon Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:37:49 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12325 I grew up in a Santa house and didn't feel betrayed at all about the truth. I was even 8 years older than my brother and we helped to keep it up for him so that he could believe. In our home the argument with my ex wasn't about letting them believe, he just didn't want some strange guy getting credit for the good presents. I grew up in a Santa house and didn’t feel betrayed at all about the truth. I was even 8 years older than my brother and we helped to keep it up for him so that he could believe. In our home the argument with my ex wasn’t about letting them believe, he just didn’t want some strange guy getting credit for the good presents.

]]> By: Sharon http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12323 Sharon Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:33:35 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12323 I completely agree with you there, we are sort of going through this right now with our oldest son. He is 8 and asked us and figured out he wasn't real but we have asked him not to say anything to his younger brother to let him believe until he figures it out. I completely agree with you there, we are sort of going through this right now with our oldest son. He is 8 and asked us and figured out he wasn’t real but we have asked him not to say anything to his younger brother to let him believe until he figures it out.

]]> By: Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12317 Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:09:16 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12317 My children still believe. Heck, even I do, too. Santa just isn't some jolly old fat guy who gives out free presents, he embodies the whole spirit of giving. I wait, because I know my days are numbered, in which my children won't be able to believe anymore (I'm quite pleased my fourth graders still are holding on!) but I will do the following when it becomes quite apparent they think they have "figured it out" - I will sit them down and ask them to tell me about someone in their class who is underpriviledged, or someone they know that isn't well off that is in need. I will take them to the consignment shop to purchase said person an item, something they need, and we will go home, wrap it, shine it up real nice, and drive to this person's house. We'll tiptoe to the front door, quiet and sneaky (hopefully without rousing suspicion and a call to the cops!) and ring the doorbell and high-tail it away and out of sight. I can just imagine the look of joy on my children's face when they see the look on this person gives in realizing they've received a gift seemingly out of thin air. And that is how I plan to show them Santa exists. My children still believe. Heck, even I do, too. Santa just isn’t some jolly old fat guy who gives out free presents, he embodies the whole spirit of giving. I wait, because I know my days are numbered, in which my children won’t be able to believe anymore (I’m quite pleased my fourth graders still are holding on!) but I will do the following when it becomes quite apparent they think they have “figured it out” -

I will sit them down and ask them to tell me about someone in their class who is underpriviledged, or someone they know that isn’t well off that is in need. I will take them to the consignment shop to purchase said person an item, something they need, and we will go home, wrap it, shine it up real nice, and drive to this person’s house. We’ll tiptoe to the front door, quiet and sneaky (hopefully without rousing suspicion and a call to the cops!) and ring the doorbell and high-tail it away and out of sight. I can just imagine the look of joy on my children’s face when they see the look on this person gives in realizing they’ve received a gift seemingly out of thin air.

And that is how I plan to show them Santa exists.

]]> By: Christy aka The Write Gal http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12316 Christy aka The Write Gal Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:39:43 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12316 Excellent post and I agree with you 100%. We teach our daughter that the meaning of Christmas isn't about Santa but it is a celebration of Jesus' birthday. That being said we do still believe in Santa here and she has gotten presents under the tree on Christmas morning each year. There is so much sadness and evil in the world, why can't kids just be kids. My 9yo still believes and for that I am thankful. Excellent post and I agree with you 100%. We teach our daughter that the meaning of Christmas isn’t about Santa but it is a celebration of Jesus’ birthday. That being said we do still believe in Santa here and she has gotten presents under the tree on Christmas morning each year. There is so much sadness and evil in the world, why can’t kids just be kids. My 9yo still believes and for that I am thankful.

]]> By: Richele http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12314 Richele Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:37:12 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12314 I don't have anything to do with Santa. My kids never believed in Santa. It's just not something we do. I am not morally opposed to it nor do I think there is something wrong with those who incorporate Santa in their homes. I think it's a personal choice to be decided by the parent and no one else. I don't think a child believing in Santa is harmful or will ruin a child. I don't even think a child will feel lied to. It's like a Christmas game. I just don't do it. Just not my thing. Which is good since finances would prevent me from being a Santa! lol. I perfer to focus on our Christian beliefs. However, that is NOT to say that a Christian cannot have the Santa tradition. I think it's a harmless thing to be decided by the family. I don’t have anything to do with Santa. My kids never believed in Santa. It’s just not something we do. I am not morally opposed to it nor do I think there is something wrong with those who incorporate Santa in their homes. I think it’s a personal choice to be decided by the parent and no one else. I don’t think a child believing in Santa is harmful or will ruin a child. I don’t even think a child will feel lied to. It’s like a Christmas game. I just don’t do it. Just not my thing. Which is good since finances would prevent me from being a Santa! lol. I perfer to focus on our Christian beliefs. However, that is NOT to say that a Christian cannot have the Santa tradition. I think it’s a harmless thing to be decided by the family.

]]> By: trisha http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12313 trisha Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:36:57 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12313 Will this friend be telling their child 100% the truth forever and ever till death do them part? Doubtful. ITS SANTA! People really need to fight something worthwhile. She sounds like Santa needs to forget her house this year. lOL! Trisha Will this friend be telling their child 100% the truth forever and ever till death do them part? Doubtful.
ITS SANTA!

People really need to fight something worthwhile.

She sounds like Santa needs to forget her house this year. lOL!

Trisha

]]> By: Erin http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12312 Erin Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:33:28 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12312 Oh - and when I was younger another kid told me that Santa wasn't real. I told him he was, because my mom would never buy me so many gifts. Duh. (I was in the second grade!) And when I was in College, visiting for the Holidays, my dad put the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve - before midnight! GASP! I told on him (LMAO) and my mom made him hide them again and put them back after my sister and I went to sleep. How awful. But I NEED the magic and LOVE Santa. Oh – and when I was younger another kid told me that Santa wasn’t real. I told him he was, because my mom would never buy me so many gifts. Duh. (I was in the second grade!)

And when I was in College, visiting for the Holidays, my dad put the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve – before midnight! GASP! I told on him (LMAO) and my mom made him hide them again and put them back after my sister and I went to sleep. How awful. But I NEED the magic and LOVE Santa.

]]> By: Erin http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12311 Erin Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:29:42 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12311 I believe in Santa to this day. I love Elf when he finds out that there is less magic in Christmas because kids believe parents give them gifts. And he says, "Parents can't do all of that in one night!" LOL. I love Christmas for celebrating Jesus. I believe Santa is the magic of giving. We are all capable Santa. I love giving gifts AS Santa, meaning we don't get the recognition. You give for the joy of giving, not the thank you's that may come. So Santa is magic, Santa is the spirit of giving to bring joy to others and I don't think of it as a lie at all. If my boys ever tell me there is no Santa, I will honestly tell them there is. And when they have kids of their own, I hope they do the same. I believe in Santa to this day. I love Elf when he finds out that there is less magic in Christmas because kids believe parents give them gifts. And he says, “Parents can’t do all of that in one night!” LOL.

I love Christmas for celebrating Jesus. I believe Santa is the magic of giving. We are all capable Santa. I love giving gifts AS Santa, meaning we don’t get the recognition. You give for the joy of giving, not the thank you’s that may come. So Santa is magic, Santa is the spirit of giving to bring joy to others and I don’t think of it as a lie at all.

If my boys ever tell me there is no Santa, I will honestly tell them there is. And when they have kids of their own, I hope they do the same.

]]> By: mommy23monkeys http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12310 mommy23monkeys Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:29:34 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12310 No kidding! Reality does suck, I wish I was a kid who believed in magic again. :) No kidding! Reality does suck, I wish I was a kid who believed in magic again. :)

]]> By: Miss Blondie http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/12/10/what-exactly-is-so-bad-about-magic-and-make-believe/#comment-12309 Miss Blondie Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:14:28 +0000 http://mommy23monkeys.com/?p=3920#comment-12309 I love the fact that my son still believes in Santa. I actually dread when he doesn't believe anymore and knows the truth. There's just something so amazing to see his face light up in the morning opening the presents. And i get excited too, just to see his reaction. I love acting all surprised. I guess I dont understand why anyone wouldn't want their kids to believe. For the rest of his life, he won't have anything magical like this to believe in, and lets face it....reality and adulthood sucks! I love the fact that my son still believes in Santa. I actually dread when he doesn’t believe anymore and knows the truth. There’s just something so amazing to see his face light up in the morning opening the presents. And i get excited too, just to see his reaction. I love acting all surprised. I guess I dont understand why anyone wouldn’t want their kids to believe. For the rest of his life, he won’t have anything magical like this to believe in, and lets face it….reality and adulthood sucks!

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