Page 11 | Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 2024-12-11T22:33:46+00:00

Is it reasonable for a RE teacher to tell 7 year olds that Father Christmas isn’t real? My 7 year old DS has just told me that his RE teacher told the class Father Christmas “isn’t real” today. He isn’t one to over-exaggerate. I asked if any of the kids prompted it by asking and he said no, she just said it. If you think it’s unreasonable, would you say anything to the school? YABU - teachers are fine to say FC is not real at the age of 7 YANBU - let the kids / parents decide if FC is real. Just don’t say anything!

Deboragh · 14/12/2024 10:45

DragonGypsyDoris · 11/12/2024 22:42

Complain that a teacher didn't lie? Good luck.

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RE teachers job is 100% a lie. St Nicklaus existed, there's no evidence whatsoever that jc did.

Lollipop81 · 14/12/2024 10:42

LuckysDadsHat · 14/12/2024 07:26

Not in the world of MN where they either never tell the kids about Santa or there children are so clever they figured it out at the age of 4.

In the real world, 7 is still a normal age to believe in Santa. IT is getting younger but 8 or 9 seems to be the age they start to question it.

I think its sad that we are in such a rush for our kids to grow up that we can't have that magic for longer.

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😂😂 this

SouthernBelle2 · 14/12/2024 10:38

I think it is wrong for a teacher to say this, however I'd happily get rid of the whole FC thing. FC discriminates by seemingly bringing huge expensive presents to rich families and cheaper and less desirable gifts to poorer ones. Seems a bit unfair on both the. children and the parents. Why lie to them?

SleepyHippy3 · 14/12/2024 09:54

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In regards to your very last sentence. It’s the parents who tell their children the lie in the very first place, and then it sticks. Christmas would still happen if the story of Santa was never told. Some people don’t tell their kids in the first place, and those children and those parents are not responsible for up holding that lie, that you told to your kid in the first place. It’s just a bit fun, and if they do find earlier than what you would have liked, they still remain children, and finding out that Santa is not real is not going to make them grow up any faster.

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 14/12/2024 09:50

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

Did ye, aye?

Season 3 What GIF by Animal Kingdom on TNT

PureBoggin · 14/12/2024 09:43

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

You must be so proud.

Longma · 14/12/2024 09:37

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thepariscrimefiles · 14/12/2024 09:33

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

OMG you went to all that trouble, just to be a twat to a 6 year old classmate of your child?

I'm not sure why you are boasting about this.

Longma · 14/12/2024 09:32

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thepariscrimefiles · 14/12/2024 09:29

umar123 · 13/12/2024 23:05

Nope
I'm dead serious

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Are you a parent? Did you take all their toys away at age 7?

stripeyshutters · 14/12/2024 09:14

TimeConsuming · 13/12/2024 18:55

I’d want to know if the teacher has also made claims about God/Allah/Jehovah and other gods being fictitious, or if the “facts” are only applied to Father Christmas.

This is the point. I don't know why this has veered off to " all RE teachers are not Christian " etc. That's irrelevant. Whether we are talking Father Christmas, God, Allah, Shiva whatever - they are all imaginary and based on faith and/or hope.

Peachperfect · 14/12/2024 09:01

I would be fuming. FC is such a huge part of the innocence of being a child and the magic that goes with it.
It's not the RE's decision to make to take that all away. My children are 10 and still belive-i will be having "THE" conversation before high school

Letskeepcalm · 14/12/2024 08:29

I think seven year olds are on the cusp of working things out/ realising Santa isn't real. I wouldn't tell them myself, I'd let it come to them naturally. As for complaining, I'd have a quiet word with her, not cause a fuss.
(I always find it hard to believe ten and eleven year olds still believe a man flies round in the sky all night to the entire world, giving presents - and some kids A LOT more than others. It's for little children tbh)

UpTheMagicChristmasTree · 14/12/2024 08:26

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

What a thing to do! You proved nothing though, most kids realize that Father Christmas is very busy around Christmas and so has some kind helpers around to send messages back to him. Magic has never been meant to make sense.

SerenityNowSerenityNow · 14/12/2024 07:44

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

What your child did wasn't very nice.
You should try teaching them some manners.

SerenityNowSerenityNow · 14/12/2024 07:42

Nope
I'm dead serious

@umar123

What do you think 7 year olds do if they don't play with toys?
Why are some people so keen to make children grow up before they need to?

FWIW lots 7 year olds DO play with toys. It's not unusual (thankfully).

Shwish · 14/12/2024 07:38

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

Jesus. Why wouldn't you tell your child to say something like "well we don't believe"
You sound like a spiteful piece of work being pleased at how your child told another that their mum lied to them and that there is definitely no Santa just before Christmas. I actually can't believe anyone would do something so mean. Why? Does it make you feel good to know that another child has been upset?

Alltheunreadbooks · 14/12/2024 07:36

I always feel a bit cringy when mumsnetters insist their child has perfect recall for conversations and would never lie or get confused

To that end I polite enquiry to the school, or a chat with other parents might be the best course of action.

LuckysDadsHat · 14/12/2024 07:26

dizzydizzydizzy · 11/12/2024 22:38

Do 7yo children still believe in Father Christmas? I

Not in the world of MN where they either never tell the kids about Santa or there children are so clever they figured it out at the age of 4.

In the real world, 7 is still a normal age to believe in Santa. IT is getting younger but 8 or 9 seems to be the age they start to question it.

I think its sad that we are in such a rush for our kids to grow up that we can't have that magic for longer.

SleepyHippy3 · 14/12/2024 07:22

anon666 · 13/12/2024 17:58

One of the deacons did this at my daughter's school. I was livid.

So ironic, that’s mad. So this deacon believes in a god that no one has ever seen, yet is adamant that Santa is not real (which obviously he isn’t ) and insists he must tell the child this? What are some people like!!

Cazareeto1 · 14/12/2024 07:17

Marblesbackagain · 12/12/2024 18:57

No I am a young bright honest happy individual who is patiently explaining basic morals to those who are operating in a hypocritical stance.

The fact you are aligning a known lie with beliefs held by millions is so disrespectful to those who hold religious beliefs.

You really are so locked into your hypocrisy it's astounding.

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C to be honest you sound like the one in the wrong who isn’t being very nice to others…. “Young” yet you want to remove the joy and magic of Santa away from children.. especially children whom are not your own… you sound rude and tbh ignorant. I would not be happy if you told my kids Santa wasn’t real id probably want to punch you in the face if I’m quite honest. Who are you to think it’s ok to take the magic of childhood and replace it with the hum drum of being a joyless adult which you very much sound. And no want needs or wants your “parenting” of morals because frankly you just sound bitter. We are parents and we do not need your “parenting” it’s just weird to do that to another adult or children whom are not your own.. You are to locked in your own bitter shittyness that you are spilling that over on to others a negative person. I Feel sorry for your kids to have the joy of childhood which really is so short a time, sucked out of them due to your moral stance as an adult..

it’s quite obvious they were not tieing in religion and Santa 🤦‍♀️ they said Santa is traditional and cultural.. not religious! You may wish to read once you come down from your high horse!

Lollipop81 · 14/12/2024 06:59

ShaggyPutItOnWhatAPongItGaveHimTheShakesNShivers · 13/12/2024 21:56

Do you not think that it turns from a 'magical traditional story' into a bare-faced lie once they're naturally questioning it, and asking you to tell them the truth, and you insist to them that it IS true?

We were never a Santa household, as it happens; but I'd have felt very uncomfortable indeed trying to persist and disabuse them of their developing sense of reasoning, once they're clearly at the point of naturally figuring things out and looking to you to come clean and confirm it to them.

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No it just isn’t that deep for me. There is no way I would come clean to a 5 year old and let them know Santa doesn’t exist 😂 at 8 or 9 yes. It’s harmless fun.

SleepyHippy3 · 14/12/2024 06:33

Snapandfart24 · 13/12/2024 23:11

You are definitely not unreasonable, OP.

That's harsh AF. My 11 (12 in a few days) year old eldest daughter asked me frankly this year so I told her we are all Santa, and in that way he's real. She's now part of the special, very grown up group that keeps this magic going. She's happy to be involved in the grown up part now for her little siblings.

I think I knew it was bollocks from around 9,but I Wanted to be left to believe until I was too old, maybe 10,then you just figure it out and on we go.

To take that magic from a 7 year old is fucked and she should be slapped on the wrist for it.
She didn't break their heart or mind, but she did overstep the mark. You are absolutely right to be upset. Let someone at the school know. It's not acceptable.

My youngest is severe SEN, if someone told her at 7 that Santa wasn't real then she'd never get to experience the magic and fun as she's going to be 6 next year and still can't comprehend it all fully. She has a full time 1-1 TA and EHCP but that doesn't change the age bracket.

Stick to your guns and get her called to account. It won't help your little sweetie but you're doing a good thing by making sure other 6 and 7 year old aren't disillusioned too soon.

Personally I'd go as far to go over her head and tell the head or whoever that you refuse to back her Scrooging up and have told the child(ren) that she isn't right and maybe was too naughty to get a visit from Father Christmas so that's why she doesn't believe. If you don't believe you lose the magic and therefore the Santa visot/presents? Fuck her, it's a few short years and it's not hers to take, the old snatch. Sorry but this kind of thing makes me furious. I worked in education for years and if you'll do that to kiddies you're a cunt. End of.

Just my opinion.

“Personally I'd go as far to go over her head and tell the head or whoever that you refuse to back her”

What? This is such an utter over reaction. Are you going to involve the M15 next, for a wider investigation? Maybe the teacher shouldn’t have said it, but she did and it’s not the end of the world.

Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 05:51

Silvertulips · 14/12/2024 03:17

Harmonypus

So you purposely set out to prove Santa wasn’t teal to upset and believer? A young child at that! Just wow.

And you think that’s clever and socially acceptable?

No, she set out to show her child that she wasn't the lying parent and that santa was made up.

Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 05:50

Grammarnut · 14/12/2024 00:00

Afaik it's an RE teacher. So the question about JC is therefore relevant.

Edited

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You're assuming all RE teachers are christians? 🫣