Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

There are children who have never been told about Santa and still manage to have a wonderful Christmas.

So absolutely all of Christmas- the run up, the duration and the after math, will be completely ruined, wiped out, if a child is told that Santa doesn’t exist, and then and there their childhood has been stolen, because someone commented that this lie is not true? Yes, ideally maybe the teacher shouldn’t have said it, but she did and it’s going to be ok, Armageddon will not happen, and the child who found out the truth will be ok also.

Are you always so dramatic?

So absolutely all of Christmas- the run up, the duration and the after math, will be completely ruined, wiped out, if a child is told that Santa doesn’t exist, and then and there their childhood has been stolen, because someone commented that this lie is not true? Yes, ideally maybe the teacher shouldn’t have said it, but she did and it’s going to be ok, Armageddon will not happen, and the child who found out the truth will be ok also.

I wasn't abusing you. It wasn't a personal attack.

I was referring to people who think ruining child's Christmas is acceptable.
It's a horrible thing to do.

Ad adult might think that not lying is being kind.

If it involves telling a child Father Christmas doesn't exist then, in my opinion, that makes you a pretty horrible person.

That's me being honest.

@nolegusta exactly thank you. I've reported him or her for the abusive reply. I won't put up with abusive trolls.

Ad adult might think that not lying is being kind.

Yep, there's lots of 'dishonesty at any cost'.

For sure.

Pretty similar to monotheistic religious beliefs though. A random strange magical man who keeps watch all the time, keeping lists and only the ones who have chase the correct religion gets the rewards. Don't think we let god into our homes but "into it oir hearts"

🙄
Or an adult could choose to be kind to a child rather than a sanctimonious dick 🤷🏼‍♀️

You can't be mad at a teacher for telling the truth. If you want to keep lying to your child then that's your choice but you can't force other people to go along with your lies. It's the risk you take when you chose to lie.

But it really is a really weird thing if you think about it. Children being told that a random stranger man, is watching from a far, throughout the year, to see if they are behaving themselves, and keeping all these lists for this purpose, about them . And then turning up in their room, in the night but only if they are asleep, to fill their stocking. When you break it down like that, it doesn’t seem very magical at all. There could be so many better lies we could tell our children, regarding getting gifts.

As a mum I loved the Father Christmas rituals
carrots for reindeer and mince pies etc
even making foot prints etc
how ever ,whilst also teaching stranger danger to a sweet little girl I didn’t think through the ramifications of an old bearded man with big black boots who we’ve never met who can get into the house in the night whilst we’re asleep!!
as my daughter got a little older she was able to say it frightened her !
so he used to leave a stocking in the shed,
so much to unpick there

We didn't have it like that back when I was at school either but it's brilliant. It has lead to some brilliant family discussions around the dinner table. My oldest child has definitely become more engaged with world news, politics and moral issues since taking it. It is compulsory for two years in my child's school then optional and he decided to take it. He has been able to apply it to so many of his other subjects - even computing and science. And we are all atheist/agnostic.

PureBoggin, that sounds really good. I'd have so enjoyed that at school. I did like RE but it never went far enough for me. I've made up for it since by doing my own research. It is such a fascinating subject (if you like that sort of thing, my late husband wasn't especially interested, son is up to a point).

I thought that the 'Scottish way' was how the subject was taught generally now, at least in the UK, maybe with exceptions for some schools. I know in America it varies according to the state.

That's not what religious education is. In most schools here (Scotland) RE is part of a class called Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies. It teaches about the world religions but doesn't subscribe to any. But also focusses on moral and philosophical issues and sometimes how all three merge. It's a really important subject - it teaches children how to think not what to think.

And yes I’d complain..

I used to get round this by telling my DD that lots of adults stop believing in magic

Why is this a big deal?

It's the 'dishonesty at all costs' who are the issue.

Are there many of those?

Those of us that 'do' Father Christmas accept that at some point our children will either work it out or be told by other children.
That's fine.

The issue here is the adults who don't see why it's mean and inappropriate to purposefully tell a child that Father Christmas doesn't exist or that it's especially harsh to do that in the lead up to Christmas itself.

Just look at that poster who took her child to visit various Santa's just so they could go back into school and call a child and their parents liars! Are you saying that sort of behaviour is preferable to an adult being vague about the existence of Father Christmas?!

I think all people are asking for is consideration and kindness towards children.
Not too much to ask imo.

It's the 'dishonesty at all costs' who are the issue.

I haven't ever denied there are different ways, e.g. saying we all believe different things, but some pp are definitely annoyed that the teacher didn't definitively say that santa/FC is real. They weren't happy with 'some believe', they wanted a lie to be the teacher's only option.

Some, but no means all. Which was the point I was making.
Most seem to appreciate that a diplomatic response is appropriate.

It's those who are 'honesty at all costs' who are more dogmatic.

I haven't ever denied there are different ways, e.g. saying we all believe different things, but some pp are definitely annoyed that the teacher didn't definitively say that santa/FC is real. They weren't happy with 'some believe', they wanted a lie to be the teacher's only option.

Undeliberately misinterpreting then?

There's nothing to misinterpret.

I'm just suggesting that there are different ways of handling a situation like this, ways that don't involve being a dick and ruining Christmas for kids.

Many people of this thread have also suggested a diplomatic approach rather than outright lie.