Why do people who don't believe in Santa Claus have to be so belligerent about it?

[33girl]

I think the best ever explanation of Santa Claus is in Laura Ingalls Wilder's book On the Banks of Plum Creek. Ma has to explain it so the girls aren't pissed that the family is getting a new horse team and they're not getting toys or clothes.

http://www.janegoodwin.net/2009/12/1...t-santa-claus/

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think the best ever explanation of Santa Claus is in Laura Ingalls Wilder's book On the Banks of Plum Creek. Ma has to explain it so the girls aren't pissed that the family is getting a new horse team and they're not getting toys or clothes.

http://www.janegoodwin.net/2009/12/1...t-santa-claus/

I like that. I loved reading those books when I was a kid.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Why does it seem like the people who don't want their kids to believe seem so angry and resentful about it?

Overgeneralize much?

Sure there are some (lots?) of people like this, but there are plenty others who are careful that neither they nor their children spoil things for others.

Originally Posted by AGDee

My kids found out because they had a baby sitter who doesn't believe in lying to children. So, when one of them asked her, she told them the reality. She had never "lied" to her kid about Santa. I have a hard time believing that she has never lied about anything to her child though.

We walk a line here. We answer questions like "Is Santa Claus real?" with "What do you think?" and then let the kid indicate how much he or she really wants to know. If asked if I believe in Santa, I will say yes, for reasons much like what Dr. Phil says.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I do believe that "Santa" is a more spiritual entity that may exist in some fashion. It's just a matter of what "Santa" represents to you. Personally, I want my children to enjoy Santa when they are small but as they get through elementary school learn that it is their hardworking and lovingly generous family who buys the stuff for them. I'm not the only one who feels that way because I'm surrounded by kids who know to thank the gift buyers rather than Santa. (Santa's just the one who delivered the gifts your family bought for you. He's like UPS.)

I respect this approach, but we came at it a little differently. When son put it all together (despite trying not to for a while), we used it as chance to explain what Santa means to us -- the joy of giving for the sake of nothing other than making someone else happier, and particularly of giving without any expectation of "thank you" or recognition. Santa makes it all about the other person.

It was summer when son figured things out, or admitted to us that he had it figured out. It was really gratifying to me to see how the following Christmas, he really wanted to help be Santa for his little sister. He had as much fun as we did.