I got to run out, alone, last night and get some Easter shopping done. Easter is Max's very favorite holiday. He explains it like this, "I love that is stands for the resurrection of Christ...but I think it is the only holiday where things get hidden! I LOVE THAT!" It got me thinking, are you one of those people that refuse to "lie" to your children about Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc...?
When Alan and I were dating, the subject came up. Alan's parents never, ever, under any circumstance "lied." The kids were told exactly how the whole "machine" worked and explained to them that some parents tell their children about these fantastical characters and they should never let the "truth" slip to other children that may actually believe it. So, when we were dating he declared that no children of his would ever be told that there was a Santa, Easter Bunny, etc... I explained that children of mine would not only be told there is a Santa, an Easter Bunny, etc... but that I reserve the right to make up things on the spot if ever in a sticky situation where a child is blatantly asking me for the "truth." I love, love, love ALL of it! I love the look of wonder in my kids eyes when telling them about Santa and the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. I can almost see the butterflies in their stomachs as ideas float around in their cute little brains. When asked directly "Is there really a Santa?" I explain that he is the symbol of all that is good about Christmas and that he has a job to do in pointing people to the knowledge of the Christ Child." That isn't lying.
When I was nine, my Mom pulled me into her bedroom to ask me a question in secret. "I think you are old enough to hear this now. There is no Santa. I need your help. What does your brother want for Christmas?" All I remember about that conversation after that is the wind being knocked out of me and sitting slowly onto the edge of my Mom's bed. I don't remember telling her what my brother would like. I remember feeling a bit flattered that I could "know" something so enormous. But, I didn't want to know "IT". Christmas morning came and somehow I was still the earliest riser in the family. Butterflies kept me awake most of the night. At about 5:00 a.m. I ran to see what Santa had brought. I was so excited I ran into my Mom's room and woke her gently, excitedly exclaiming that "Santa had come!" I don't know if it is my ability to fall so deeply into a fantasy that I couldn't get out or didn't want to get out. I think the latter, maybe. I have always wanted to believe. There is no other time in our lives that we can believe so readily and so completely as childhood. I wish I could get some of that innocence back. Ignorance really can be bliss, sometimes.
So, Alan decided he could go along with Santa, etc...in our world. And he actually loves it, now and says he wishes his parents had done it. And if you remember, he now plays Santa every Christmas! Perpetuating the "lie." Which really, really isn't a lie at all.
6 comments:
I love this and absolutely agree-although the tooth fairy is a little lame at our house-always forgetting. My friend tells her kids at the end of kindergarten. How sad! oh-are you going to print this when you print your book? It might give away some secrets before you want to.
Mr. Wonderful originally declared that there would be no Santa at our house, too. I convinced him to let me do it with the condition that when they asked, they would be told.
When the kids started to ask "Mpm, is there really a Santa?" I would ask them "Well, what do you think?" If they decided there was a Santa, I left it at that. If they decided there wasn't a Santa, they were admitted into the late Christmas Eve party: lots of yummy adult foods, and everyone helps set up Christmas presents for the believers.
Everyone happy. Everyone wins.
PS - the Love Magnet is the only believer left. I think she will believe all of her life. That is fine with us. :)
Good point Jen! I will delete this from my book!
I can't give it up - I love where you state ignorance is bliss. I am so afraid my kids are growing so "world wise" at such an early age. I will keep the fantasy alive as long as I can. Reality isn't all it's cracked up to be. Loved this post - thanks!
I LOVE Santa and the excitement that the kids radiate that time of year. The other holidays aren't as big for us but still fun none the less. I think its just part of a fun childhood and absolutely no harm done!
A friend once told me the motto at their house was "if you don't believe, you don't receive!" We've adopted it as our own as well. My two oldest girls know "the truth" but also know that if they don't play it up (tooth fairy, Easter bunny, Santa etc.), they won't have any surprises on the day of!! They are now some of our best advocates.
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