This holiday season, I will not lie.
‘Tis the season to be lying. Parents anxiously think:
Is this the year he’ll stop believing my stories?
Will a precocious brat at school rat me out?
Are my children going to hate me when they find out the truth?
I’m referring, of course, to Santa Claus. Some parents feel guilty perpetuating the myth. Others do not.
Every time I read one of these posts, I think the same thing: I’m glad I don’t have that problem.
I don’t have to lie to my son about Santa Claus. As far as I can tell, the concept of the future is still in the future for Philip. He lives day-to-day, so telling him that Christmas will soon be here would have little meaning for him. Therefore, spinning a yarn about a man who travels by sleigh in late December to deliver him presents is unnecessary.
In fact, I don’t have to fib to Philip about anything. Sure, I may lie by omission, like when I don’t tell him we’re getting in the car to go to the doctor. Otherwise, I have no reason to prevaricate. No lies, no guilt.
Maybe Philip understands more about the holiday than I am giving him credit for. If anything, that thought makes me feel guilty about presuming incompetence. Yet, that is my only sin. I haven’t deceived my son about Santa Claus, but I don’t feel like either he or I are missing out.
This holiday season, my son will receive gifts from family and friends, but not from Old Saint Nick.
Honestly, that’s just fine by me.
This holiday season, I’m exploring new writing prompts! This is my first time linking up with “Finish the Sentence Friday.” I chose to finish the sentence “This holiday season I will . . .” Click on the button above to read more posts inspired by this week’s prompts.
that cynking feeling 
I totally know the day will come for my girls when they will find out, but for now I am happy just seeing their excitement and joy that Christmas and Santa brings. Thanks so much for linking up with us this week! 🙂
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Glad to join the fun.
I hope my post doesn’t sound judgmental of people who chose to share the legend of Santa Claus. For me, it is about accepting my son as he is and not feeling envious of the happiness that other parents create by doing do. My son is happy with Christmas the way it is, so I’m happy too!
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I like the way you think! Philip is the perfect example of living in and enjoying the moment. How apt that you should choose to do the same in return. Also, I love the idea of #FtSF! Need to check it out.
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Glad to introduce you to #FtSF. Even though I’m a first-time participant, I often read other bloggers’ responses to the prompts.
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Cool! I’ll check out that prompt!
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This is the first year that my daughter is really getting the whole Santa concept. I’m not gonna lie: I’ve kind of been milking it.
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Milk away!
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Glad you joined us! FTSF was my very first link up – it’s how I met my first blogger friends, so it’s near and dear to me. I agree with you – you’re not guilty of anything. Each parent and family has to do what works for them and what is appropriate for their kids. Sounds like Philip will get plenty of love this Christmas even without Santa!
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It’s been a nice way to “meet” some other bloggers. Thanks for the welcome.
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Lying to the kids is part of what makes me such a stellar dad I thought??
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Of course it is, Don. It’s definitely one of your winning features 😉
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No lies, no guilt. Love it.
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Such an interesting perspective on this…I envy your take on the Santa thing…when I found out the truth about Santa, my life was never the same 😉 Glad to see another fellow-newbie on the FTSF!!
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My little guy has given me a lot of gifts, including a new perspective on things. My husband and I both appreciate how he isn’t greedy at this time of year.
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And that is what Christmas should be about! It’s disappointing to hear kids whine and be greedy at Christmas so consider yourselves lucky! Look forward to reading more about your little guy.
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My son doesn’t understand the concept, either. He mostly understands presents, and lights, but not Santa, so I don’t have to lie yet either.
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I still took my son to see Santa, and we have plans for another Santa visit next weekend. I figure we’ll introduce him to Santa and then play it by ear if and when he shows an understanding/interest.
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I’m so glad my daughter’s not old enough to understand the concept of Santa and that my son’s old enough to realise it’s not true – it takes a lot of pressure off! I’m looking forward to years ahead when my daughter does believe and is all excited, but I feel that this year I get to have a little rest 🙂 Wishing a very merry Christmas to you and yours.
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I don’t think I’m a complete Scrooge, but I’m just not that into decorating and such. I can’t imagine how tiresome I would find it to create an elaborate scheme to maintain the Santa mystique.
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Whew. You don’t have to deal with what my poor mother did – a crying younger sibling because *one of us* told her there was no Santa. I let you guess who that nasty older sister was….
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Teehee
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Yeah I think I’ll just give presents to my son from the family. Don’t want him to deal w/ the no Santa thing. It never really traumatized me or anything but I just don’t want to put all the work behind the Santa ruse!
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As I mentioned to Lizzy above, I’m not into all of that work either!
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My daughter is still too young to have those worries but I will someday. I remember when I found out. It is just one of those things.
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I don’t remember when I found out or how I felt about it. I guess I must not have been traumatized.
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I don’t remember ever believing in Santa Claus either. I think my dad’s side of the family wanted us to for a while. But we knew it wasn’t real. I’m happy that we won’t have that guilt either because I try so hard to walk with integrity, that even with that, let’s face it, I would feel bad if we decided to. If we exchange gifts, my kids will definitely know where they are from 🙂
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I think each family needs to make its own decision about Santa. It’s obviously hard to ignore Santa completely. He’s everywhere!
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I had to tell my youngest daughter sooner than her older siblings because she was terrified of him.
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Santa can be creepy. And if you really think of about the stories we tell about him, it can be even more frightening.
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You’ve made your choice, and I think you’re open to letting him make his. Maybe one day, he will want to believe in Santa, or maybe he won’t. But at least, he loves the spirit of the season, and love from family!
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We still plan to take him to breakfast with Santa this Saturday. It will be the fourth visit with Santa this year. I’ll be curious if he shows any interest.
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Good for you for having the courage of your convictions. Not easy when so many get hopped up on this subject. It sounds as though you’re doing Christmas in a way which works FOR YOU. And that’s what counts.
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I wonder if there have always been people that get so adamant about not lying to your kids? Maybe so, but we never had blogs to share our opinions so widely.
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The group that participates in FTSF are pretty great people. It’s why I’ve stuck around since I found them last winter. So, welcome! If I could do it over, I might just have skipped the whole santa thing. It’s awkward at best for me and I think my son.
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I really don’t enjoy the fuss of the holidays, so I appreciate being off the hook with the Santa thing.
I’m glad I linked up with FTSF. I’ve been “meeting” so many new bloggers.
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We don’t do Santa Claus either, but the funny thing is that my 8yo is pretty convinced that we need to clear the front of the fireplace or else Santa won’t be able to make it in. WTH? He doesn’t believe me when I tell him Santa isn’t real. Too much Polar Express probably. 🙂
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That’s just too funny-a kid who refuses to stop believing. Good for him!
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Thank you so much for visiting my blog.
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